Is the iPhone 4 'Apple's Vista'?
In an oddly ballsy move, Microsoft executive Kevin Turner says Apple's latest cell phone could fail — like his own company's Windows Vista

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Apple's iPhone 4 just can't catch a break. Despite record sales and worshipful initial reviews, recent media coverage has focused on the phone's so-called "death grip" — a reception problem triggered by touching its antenna. Consumer Reports fueled talk of a recall when it announced that it "can't recommend" the device due to the flaw. Now Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner is saying that the iPhone 4 "might be [Apple's] Vista," a self-deprecating reference to Microsoft's much-maligned Windows Vista operating system. Is the comparison justified? (Watch a "Top Gear" host's dig at the iPhone 4)
Zip it: This was a bad move on Turner's part, says Devin Coldewey in CrunchGear. Now someone will be obliged to point out that "Microsoft has never put out a single product that has so completely fascinated the consumer world as the iPhone." And likely "never will." Watch what you say, Microsoft. It may come back to haunt you.
"Microsoft exec: iPhone 4 may be Apple's Vista — perhaps, but show me Microsoft's iPhone"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wait and see: Apple needs to "decisively" resolve this problem, says Adrian Kingsley-Hughes in ZDNet. Otherwise, "'Antennagate' could fester," and, yes, "turn the handset into Apple's own Vista nightmare." A lot depends on any concessions Apple might offer at its press conference this Friday.
"Apple about to hold press conference about iPhone 4"
This problem has been overblown: Turner evidently believes the issue may "damage Apple’s brand to the point where people start jumping ship," says MG Siegler in TechCrunch. Though some sort of exodus might seem inevitable, it "will not happen." Like many, Turner "has gotten too caught up in those headlines."
"Prediction: This statement is going to come back to bite Microsoft in the ass"
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
5 tips to save on heating bills
The Explainer Follow these expert recommendations for a cozy and cheap winter
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Should you fire your financial adviser? 4 signs it's time to say goodbye.
The Explainer Breakups are never fun, but you have to protect your wallet
By Becca Stanek Published
-
The daily gossip: Man arrested in connection with shooting of Tupac Shakur, an OceanGate movie is in the works, and more
Feature The daily gossip: September 29, 2023
By Brendan Morrow Published