With 2013 rapidly coming to a close, we thought it might be a good idea to look back at some of the more memorable quotes made by people and companies in relation to the tech industry in the past 12 months. We don"t pretend that this is a definitive list, but it should give a pretty good look at some of the major themes that were covered by tech news outlets in 2013.
Not welcome
"For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses. And a** kickings will be encouraged for violators."
The 5 Point Cafe Facebook page, which became the first known business to flat out ban the use of Google"s wearable tech: March 8, 2013
He"s very busy
"I don"t mow the lawn."
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates on how he finds the time to do all the charity work that he does: May 15th, 2013
Is he going to cry?
"(Microsoft was) inter-operating with us but not doing the reverse, which is really sad."
Google CEO Larry Page, on his opinion of Microsoft adding Google Talk support to Outlook.com: May 15, 2013
Xbox One owners don"t need offline features
"...fortunately we have a product for people who aren"t able to get some form of connectivity, it"s called Xbox 360."
Now former Microsoft Interactive Entertainment head Don Mattrick when asked about Xbox One"s Internet connection requirements that were later reversed: June 12, 2013
Don"t call it a comeback
"I think it will re-emerge, but perhaps with a bit more sophistication. We were just a bit ahead of our time, like most of our mistakes."
Bill Gates again, this time offering the idea, with some humor, that the failed Microsoft Bob program could be relaunched: July 15, 2013
Which way is the right way?
"They"re confused; they chased after netbooks. They tried to make tablets into PCs and PCs into tablets."
Apple CEO Tim Cook on the current hardware themes of their competition (i. e. Microsoft): October 22, 2013
Um....what?
"For others, you might now be running in your head to a well worn path of justified resistance, phoning up the ol’ gang, circling the hippocampian wagons of amygdalian resistance. Hold on a sec, pilgrim."
Part of an internal Yahoo memo sent to employees trying to get them to use Yahoo Mail instead of Microsoft Outlook: November 24, 2013
The future or futuristic snake oil?
"I know this looks like science fiction; it"s not".
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, describing Amazon Prime Air, which he claims will be delivering small packages to homes via remote octocopter drones in about four or five years: December 1, 2013
Most people might agree
"That was the single biggest mistake I made."
Steve Ballmer when asked about the lowest point during his tenure as CEO of Microsoft, referring to the development and release of Longhorn-Windows Vista: December 11, 2013