Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein: I’ve Never Used an iPhone
If CES 2009 marked Palm’s rise-from-the-ashes rebirth, CES 2010 may well be the beginning of its resurgence, the inflection point at which the company really begins to gain traction in a market that nearly left it behind just two years ago.
“I think we’ve done really well this past year,” Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein said during an interview with All Things Digital’s Kara Swisher at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Video clip: Highlights from Jon Rubinstein’s interview.
“We told everyone what our plans were and we really executed on those,” he continued, adding, “we said we’d deliver the Pre in the first half and launched it in June. We said we’d add more carriers and we did that as well….Throughout the year we’ve delivered a lot of over-the-air updates, improving the product, and then we launched the Pixi….I look at the last two years as a transitional period and the year ahead as a transformational one.”
And what of the year ahead? Further improvements, says Rubinstein: “We’re really, really focused on the consumer experience–the simple user interface, multitasking, synergy, seamless messaging applications…the gesture-based interface; these are all things that make our products stronger.”
The conversation shifts to the mobile space and the competition in it. How does Palm (PALM) view Apple (AAPL)?
“We don’t pay that much attention to Apple….I know it sounds really strange,” says Rubinstein.
“Really?” Kara replies. “You don’t worry about the iPhone?”
“No, I really don’t,” Rubinstein answers.
“I don’t believe you,” says Kara, telegraphing a sentiment I imagine is widely held among the audience. Rubinstein is sometimes referred to as “the father of the iPod.” Hard to imagine he doesn’t have at least a passing interest in the evolution of the device he helped create.
Rubinstein: “I don’t have an iPhone. Actually, I’ve never used one.”
Video clip: Jon Rubinstein says he’s never used an iPhone.
I think I just heard Palm’s entire PR team groan. If only Kara had an iPhone in her pocket that she could offer Rubinstein–”Come on, touch it.” No such luck, though. Too bad Rep. Joe Wilson’s not in the audience …
Dead end, here. I think.
Kara circles back to the Apple issue, recalling the iTunes synch feature Palm debuted at the All Things D conference last year. At the time, Rubinstein claimed Apple wouldn’t care. But Apple clearly did care. “We don’t think what Apple did is good for their customers,” says Rubinstein. “But Apple’s going to do what Apple’s going to do.”
So why not do your own synching app? Rubinstein says he’d prefer that the developer community create apps like this. Has Palm approached Apple about creating a joint solution? “I don’t really see the point,” he replies.
The conversation shifts to webOS and the developer community. Rubinstein says Palm sees strong interest in its development platform. “I think we have a very large potential developer pool for the product.”
Kara asks about the deal the company announced with Verizon (VZ) yesterday here in Las Vegas. How important is the deal to Palm? “We have high hopes for our partners,” Rubinstein says after a moment. “And we’re investing along with them.”
“What about that deal with AT&T?” Kara asks, noting that the carrier essentially announced it earlier this week
Rubinstein dodges: “We have nothing to announce at this time.”
Kara asks if Palm would like to do a deal with AT&T (T).
“More distribution is better,” says Rubinstein.
“Well, you might want to talk to AT&T, then,” quips Kara. “Sounds like they’re interested.”
One last question from Kara: Will Palm do a tablet?
“We’re a small company,” says Rubinstein. “But we designed webOS to scale and it could be used in different form factors.”
Jon Rubinstein Interview Photos
More Posts and Articles from CES
- Jon Rubinstein Highlights Video
- Jon Rubinstein Full Session Video
- Jon Rubinstein Slideshow
- CES Full Coverage on AllThingsD.com
- Google VP of Engineering Andy Rubin interview with Walt Mossberg
- Netflix CEO Reed Hastings interview with Peter Kafka
Comments
Umm… why is there not a single quote saying hes never used one? i see an “i dont even have an iPhone”
Posted by Falkor Sidway Altus at January 9th, 2010 at 1:10 am…. The title (if there isnt a quote of him saying he hasnt used one) blows this WAY OUT OF PROPORTION
It doesn't surprise me if he hasn't used an iPhone. If he had, he wouldn't have put out 2 phones with mechanical keyboards.
Posted by Hamranhansenhansen at January 9th, 2010 at 1:32 am> Rubinstein: “I don’t have an iPhone. I’ve never
> even used one.”
Notice the quotation marks.
Posted by Hamranhansenhansen at January 9th, 2010 at 1:33 amThe article was update after it was published.
Posted by Blamerx at January 9th, 2010 at 1:41 amThe article was updated after it was posted. The first revision didn't have the “I've never used an iPhone” quote.
Posted by Blamerx at January 9th, 2010 at 1:42 amperils of two people working in the same wordpress post simultaneously.
he did say it.
Posted by JohnPaczkowski at January 9th, 2010 at 1:45 amVery funny. No, really!
I guess we can all now through away our computer keyboard.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 9th, 2010 at 1:52 amPalm has the Apple pedigree. They are both different from all the other companies in the smart phone industry. So many of the products in the computer industry are so alike, that one wonders how these companies can survive.
The approach of Palm and Apple is to think differently. Take a clean sheet of paper and start the process of redefining the user experience. If you try to copy the competition, you will always be one step behind them. And in this smart phone industry, that one step behind can be costly. Consumers have become more demanding and impatient. They want it all now!
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 9th, 2010 at 2:06 amI hate to say it, but this guy does not sound too bright. I doubt if I will see his name on the “CEO of the Decade” trophy.
Posted by res08hao at January 9th, 2010 at 3:39 amSo you don't think he sounds bright because you read an article where they cut the dialogue into terse one line responses?
I watched it live on here and personally I thought Kara came across as kind of hostile. Like leading the answers and such.
Posted by statelypenguin at January 9th, 2010 at 7:29 am“but this guy does not sound too bright” – res08hao (may I suggest something at the end of my quote?)
Wikipedia: About Don Rubinstein: “He has been elected to serve as a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.”
He was head of hardware engineering for Steve Jobs at Next Computer, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Apple Inc., and was Senior Vice President of Apple's iPod division.
Suggestion: …maybe it's time to go back to school and get that Diploma!
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 9th, 2010 at 5:43 pmI have to disagree with you on this: “Kara came across as kind of hostile”. I thought she was friendly and witty. And above all else, she asked some really good questions. Also, I thought Jon Rubinstein did very well in his responses. He gave us some really good insight into Palm's strategy and especially, the Palm mindset.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 9th, 2010 at 9:24 pmRubinstein is a very, *very* smart, talented guy. What he and his team have done for Palm in the last year is really extraordinary.
Posted by JohnPaczkowski at January 9th, 2010 at 9:34 pmI have been assured that Mr. Rubinstein is indeed a smart man. However, which of the following statements is most likely true?
Posted by res08hao at January 9th, 2010 at 11:47 pmSteve Jobs: I have never used a Palm Pre.
Jon Rubinstein, CEO of CLONE MAKER Palm: I have never used an iPhone.
100 on the bullshit meter. Palm has spent lots of time watching Apple. The iTunes syncing issue proves this. I bet my paycheck there is an iPhone with Rubinstein's fingerprints all over it. Why do CEOs waste our time with non-sense statements? It does not make them look cool! HAHA Is he taking cues from Steve Ballmer?
Posted by digiprod at January 10th, 2010 at 12:44 amDo you think Rubinstein has to have used an iPhone in order to give his software developers the go ahead to enable iTunes syncing? I have to concur, you do have the right to think anything you want to.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 10th, 2010 at 1:53 amYou are clouding your ability to think clearly by letting your imagination influence your judgement.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 10th, 2010 at 1:56 amThanks so much for allowing me my rights? Do you really think that any company does not spend time with a competitors product. Especially a guy that worked for Apple for years? If you do I will give you your right to be naive.
Posted by digiprod at January 10th, 2010 at 2:55 am“…does not spend time with a competitors product. Especially a guy that worked for Apple for years?”
Rubinstein left Apple about a year before the iPhone was released, and was not part of the team that developed the iPhone.
Wikipedia:
(1) “He [Rubinstein] left his position [at Apple] as senior vice president of Apple's iPod division on April 14, 2006.”
(2) “Apple announced the iPhone on January 9, 2007.”
(3) “Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc. for personal digital assistants (PDAs) in 1996.
The Palm Pre is so fundamentally different from the iPhone that it is absolutely conceivable and likely that Palm decided to fundamentally rethink the smart phone design and functionality without the influence of the iPhone. But that is besides the point.
The point here is that iTunes is not fundamentally needed or essential to using and enjoying the Palm Pre smart phone. iTunes is only important for customers who were using it prior to buying the Palm Pre phone. There are many solutions to the issue of syncing with iTunes without Palm having to enable syncing within the Palm Pre. There are software solutions, or drag and drop.
Now to directly answer your question, though it is likely that a company would want to know as much about its competitor's product as possible, it is “highly likely” and to be expected, that the company's president and a good number of its employees may never have used the competitor's products. You are imagining things and thinking that the world has to necessarily operate that way, and if it does not, you are quick to make accusations of deception.
Is it conceivable that Jon Rubinstein has seen the iPhone in use? Yes. Is it also conceivable that Jon Rubinstein has never personally used the iPhone? Yes. What is so difficult about this for you to understand? I work with a co-worker that has an iPhone which he uses all the time. I have never once played with his phone. Apple (as much as I appreciate what the company has accomplished) is not necessarily successful because it always makes the best products. In fact many have attested for years that the iPod's audio quality was inferior to the Sony Walkman. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that a lot of people feel threatened by Palm, which I find surprising; unless that person works for a competitor. Apple is an excellent company. Palm is an excellent company. And Google is an excellent company. The competition between these companies is good. As a consumer, I will buy whichever company gives me the best product. Two years ago, it was Apple (though I did not buy the iPhone because I did not want to change carriers). Today, it is Palm. This is my personal opinion and there is nothing wrong with me holding such an opinion. If you think that Apple makes the best smart phone, that is ok. I am sure you have good reasons for holding that view. But let us respect our industry leaders who have sacrificed the better part of their lives to bring was products that we can all be passionate about.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 10th, 2010 at 6:54 amC'mon she's such an angry butch!
Posted by facebook-1391089098 at January 10th, 2010 at 3:53 pmAnd you talk like Yoda. Don't you dare try one of your jedi mind tricks on me!
Posted by facebook-1391089098 at January 10th, 2010 at 3:55 pmPalm PRe is not a CLONE OF THE iphone
Posted by Baba at January 10th, 2010 at 5:11 pmPalm's CEO came from Apple. He ran the iPod division until 2006 when he left to join Palm. Maybe he is pulling a Bill Clinton, but he has definitely 'played' with an iPhone even if he hasn't used one as his primary phone. If he is suggesting he has never 'used' an iPhone in the sense that he has never 'played' with it he is a liar… I bet he regrets the comment.
Posted by Facebook User at January 10th, 2010 at 6:01 pmWhat? The CEO of a competing company has not used an iPhone, a cultural phenomenon?
This is like Warner Bros Records saying, “Well, we never have listened to the Beatles. They are on Capitol.” Huh?
AND, he ADMITS he's never used an iPhone? And I'm supposed to ever again consider Palm in any purchase? How can people like this become CEO's? Doesn't it seem a bit obvious that checking out a competitor's product may be wise, especially if it's POPULAR?
WOW!
Posted by BillJan at January 10th, 2010 at 6:46 pm“but he has definitely played with an iPhone” – I guess facts no longer matter!
So let us see the timeline:
(1) Rubinstein ran Apple's iPod division until 2006.
(2) Rubinstein left Apple in 2006.
(3) Rubinstein joined Palm in 2007.
(4) Apple released the iPhone in 2007.
And please, do not go around disparaging a former President of the United States.
Posted by Andrew Augustine at January 10th, 2010 at 6:53 pmI think Jobs has used a Palm Pre, because he's smart enough to see what else is on the market. And in the case of the Palm, he had a nice laugh and slept very well that night.
Posted by BillJan at January 10th, 2010 at 6:54 pmWow… what an idiot. WTF Rubinstein?! How are investors supposed to have faith in you're ability to lead the company if you can't even be bothered to spend 20 minutes seeing what all the Apple hype is about? To not acknowledge the iPhones mind-share dominance in the market by simply using the device just shows that he is out of touch with reality and cannot be trusted to lead Palm out of it's current situation.
Pathetic!
Posted by jcw5002 at January 10th, 2010 at 7:32 pmThis guy is a buffoon.
Lets grant the proposition that Rubenstein never used an iPhone. It shows that he's out-of-touch and ignorant of competition against whom he's trying to make headway in an increasingly crowded smartphone market. That's like a pharmaceutical company admitting they never did drug trials before releasing certain medications. Inspires confidence, doesn't it?
Then you have WebOS which aggressively copied lots of iPhone features from the outset and keeps on lifting them to this day, as seen in the latest demo with the video editing scrubber. It looks identical to the iPhone and isn't an industry-standard method of performing this action.
Rubenstein never used the iPhone but his engineers clearly have. I believe it should be the other way around. He should use competing phones and communicate his unique vision to designers.
No wonder Palm is going nowhere fast. Their entire strategy hinges upon WebOS with 2 boring devices which have so far failed to make a dent in the marketplace. With Google breathing down Apple's neck and RIM solidly controlling the enterprise market Palm's chances of being an alternative to the market leader are pretty slim.
Posted by axian at January 10th, 2010 at 10:48 pmRubinstein “No. I have not had sex with that woman. It depends on the definition of the word 'is'.”
Famous lines.
Posted by JamesKatt at January 11th, 2010 at 1:25 amWow… what an idiot. WTF Rubinstein?! How are investors supposed to have faith in you're ability to lead the company if you can't even be bothered to spend 20 minutes seeing what all the Apple hype is about? To not acknowledge the iPhones mind-share dominance in the market by simply using the device just shows that he is out of touch with reality and cannot be trusted to lead Palm out of it's current situation.
Pathetic!
Posted by jcw5002 at January 11th, 2010 at 3:32 amThat’s why Palms stuff sucks!
Posted by Cannabag at January 11th, 2010 at 2:40 pmVery good!
Posted by Laennio at August 6th, 2010 at 12:08 amVery good”!!
Posted by Laennio at August 6th, 2010 at 12:09 am