If you want to give Microsoft a hard time, there's plenty of ammunition. You could start with the effusive Steve Ballmer "monkeyboy" movie that's been going around the Web. But all this year, there's been growing media concern about the slightly less engaging topic of Microsoft's ... promptness?
First, rumor had it MS would delay shipping its forthcoming Xbox game console to Japan. Then sources said the Xbox would ship late. Last month some more gossip said a component shortage would make the Xbox tardy. Now an analyst has said Microsoft is behind its production schedule because of a flaw in the Xbox's Intel motherboard. We can only imagine the outpouring of distress if the box actually is late.
The most recent update, the Intel report from analyst Eric Ross, was even more of a non-story than usual. Ross said Microsoft would probably still be in stores on the proper date, Nov. 8, and that MS has time to make up for any production delays. The Financial Times crunched the data differently and said there might be fewer Xbox units immediately available on the big day than Microsoft intended. This is all getting reported in the first place because Nintendo will unveil its new console the same week, but since when do unconfirmed, pre-launch hardware glitches make headlines?
The Intel dirt came from anonymous "multiple sources throughout the Xbox supply chain," and Microsoft officially denied it. "There's no problem with the motherboard," an MS rep told the Seattle Times. "We're on track for our Nov. 8 launch." An Intel spokesman told Seattle's KOMO TV that Intel couldn't talk about delays in other people's products. A different spokesman did talk, and told TheStreet.com, "There is no problem with our motherboard. ... We've delivered everything on time to Microsoft for Xbox." Sounds like Intel needs review to its corporate communications policies - is Xbox an Intel product or not? They'd better figure it out before Nov. 8.
Xbox's Potential PlayStation Problem
TheStreet.com
Microsoft denies Xbox glitch
CNET.com
Microsoft could have Xbox shortage for November launch
Financial Times
Analysts Predict Xbox Production Delays
Komotv.com
Microsoft denies Xbox troubles, but analysts claim manufacturing falling behind
Seattle Times
Xbox not delayed by notabug in Intel mobo
The Register
Shape Up And Jig With Steve Ballmer
