Microsoft Songsmith. Is this real?

Quincy Pince-Nez
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January 25, 2009
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Comments (49)

9to5 Mac Pro (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:09pm

The first computer in the commercial looks to be a mac, so I'm going to say NO...but I hope it is real, because microsoft will be the laughing stock of the technology world.

admin | January 25, 2009 - 9:12pm

yes, that is a mac - with a lot of shit on it - which technically can run Windows.  But could this be real?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:24pm

That is one terminated ad agency..........

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:28pm

Oh. My. God. That was the worse thing I have ever seen. I'm almost begging them to bring back Jerry and Bill. Then again, I hope this is real so that we can all finally put the last nail on Microsoft's coffin. And yes, that is a Mac they are using.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:33pm

It's real, and if you go to www.research.microsoft.com/songmith then you can find a download page for a free trial. Haven't tried it, don't want to.

Godfrey Chan (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:35pm

Real.

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/songsmith/video_...

Olternaut (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:44pm

LOL! omg I'm choking on my water here! Sorry but I just couldn't bring myself to finish the whole video. What the hell possesses microsoft to keep making these death defyingly embarrassing internal company videos?

andrew (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:52pm

oh my god this is the funniest thing i have ever seen. i cant believe that micro$oft would put this ad out their with their name on it. yeah they are a terrible marketing company BUT COME ON! this is ridiculous.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 9:55pm

I give Microsoft credit for trying new things but the commercial is inexcusably bad. My daughter would love this program - she sings all day long.

As for the commercial actors, they should find new careers immediately.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:07pm

cool concept, but for mercy's sake, please be a fake commercial.

hewsthat (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:16pm

Microsoft will burn in hell for this...

This rivals the Oozinator in bad ideas.

9to5Mac Noob | January 25, 2009 - 10:19pm

jesus christ.

daPrinz (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:24pm

First they ditched Flight Simulator now they present this crap. I start to think that Balmer is actually getting paid by Apple.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:38pm

wow... that was god awful!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:39pm

Check out the NY Times article for the details: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25digi.html?ref=technology

Then go to Youtube. If you think the ad video is bad you haven't seen anything until you have see what the software does to classic rock and roll!!

It is getting to the point that I can almost....but only almost, feel sorry for Microsoft.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 10:41pm

Why do I get the feeling that Microsoft engineering team came up with and stared in their own commercial for this?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 11:03pm

This is great! I wonder if this was a elaborate joke by the Vista work group... they would be the ones to go to if wanted to create a real "masterpiece" of crap.

Slantsixx (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 11:20pm

Don't you think it's a bit early for April fools jokes, MS?
Real or not, that's a joke. Who the hell would ever use a thing like that for a legitimate reason?

Coaxbury (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 11:27pm

That was unbelievable. Grade A cheese.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 25, 2009 - 11:48pm

This site may be down (not sure) but it had the funniest example of what you can do with songsmith.

http://music.metafilter.com/2943/Runnin-With-The-Songsmith

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 12:10am

It is real and rumor has it that Microsoft put in that MacBook to create more buzz.

Jesse J. Anderson (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 12:12am

"Microsoft huh? So it's... pretty easy to use?"

gp (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 12:27am

If I recall well was on macenstein...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d77eycBpuBY

... at least is a parody...

best part? When he comes back home and talk to his "...wife"...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 1:21am

They also have the nerve to release "Microsoft Crapsmith" at $30. :P

MadDog (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 1:37am

Uh... yes, it's real. Jeez, where have you people been for the last week?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 2:03am

It's the most annoying ad in times, but don't forget there could be a huge market for this. Every kid will love this app. It's no garageband but a much more selfthinking app that will accompany your singing. No musical skills necessary. It doesn't look very kid or userfriendly though. But still, the idea coul be a hit imo.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 2:45am

These must be 10 of the 5000 people MS is laying off...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 4:01am

Old news. Yes it's real & yes it's as bad as it looks. Plus the video is misleading - it's not as easy to your create music as it makes out. "Lisa, I've never heard you sing" - call yourself a Dad!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 5:18am

My exact reaction, too -- either you're her brand-new step dad, or you work waaaaaay too many hours. The alternative is that Songsmith is capable of helping autistic children sing!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 26, 2009 - 4:14am

How could such a powerful company become so incompetent so fast. They rode their fat Windows horse too long and now in the 4th quarter they are stuck with a very transparent offense full of blunders and comical moments. The Dark Side becomes Dilbert.

Honestly, How does Balmer survive. The board must be as clueless as he is.