Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bans Google & iPods
In a recent Fortune interview with Steve Ballmer, the newer kinder Microsoft CEO is not only ready to take on the videogaming, search, music download and mobile markets – but he’s also laying down the law in his own house. Steve says that his kids are not allowed to use Google or have an iPod.
Although the Google ban is fairly rough, I now have a bit of respect for Steve as a father for his iPod ban – as he’s probably saving the hearing and the attention spans of his kids via the ban (no word if they can use Microsoft endorsed mobile mp3 players).
Call it brand loyalty, call him an over protective father – but in a world where there are way too many 11 year old girls walking around in pink shirts that say “Bitch”, Victoria’s Secrets jogging pants, iPods hanging out of their ears, Starbucks in one hand and their cell phone in the other – Steve’s statement is a bit refreshing.
From the interview:
Do you have an iPod?
No, I do not. Nor do my children. My children–in many dimensions they’re as poorly behaved as many other children, but at least on this dimension I’ve got my kids brainwashed: You don’t use Google, and you don’t use an iPod.
Given Mr. Ballmer’s history of being a strict businessman and knack for going off the handle at times with a chair throwing episode or two, I highly doubt his home is in need of a visit from Super Nanny.
However, if his kids are using MSN Search instead of Google for their homework assignments (when they really should be using a library anyway) and this is leading to a drop in their scores, Mr. Ballmer may want to rethink his father-knows-best approach.
