Motorola CEO Ed Zander seemed to be on the defensive during a webcast of the Goldman Sachs’ 2007 Technology Investment Symposium in Las Vegas last week. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Motorola is struggling, after a really rough financial quarter, which is under extreme pressure as their hit phone the RAZR fizzled into a downward spiral and next-generation versions (motokrazr, motorizr, etc) have failed to keep up its record pace. Of course, the constant Apple iPhone banter doesn’t help one iota.
“It’s a hard business to stay on top of your game quarter after quarter,” Zander said. “You have to have an almost maniacal focus.”
And here is what Zander had to say about the iPhone, “let’s see the product for goodness’ sake… It’s like waiting for a baby.”
“You won’t like what I’m about to say, but you spend too much time in the U.S. Touchscreens have been in use in Asia for years. [The iPhone] is the Apple UI, a Mac-patched phone in your pocket.” Despite the criticism he added with a sigh: “I’m sure it’s a great phone.”
Other quotes from the webcast:
- “I still think the RAZR as we know it today can make more money.”
- “When you talk Apple, don’t think that Nokia, Samsung and Motorola won’t have cool phones to respond.”
- “It’s not about market share anymore, though that’s fun… You can’t win by selling more units.”
[Vincent’s thought] There is no love from me when it comes to Motorola. So that’s why it brings me so much joy seeing Moto’s top dog squirm like a little girl.
Related: motorazr.com vs. Motorola: the verdict is in! [Via Vincent Nguyen]
—Thanks for the tip Tara!
