Microsoft Tries Flush Away Its iLoo Snafu
So why wouldn't this be a good idea? After all, you would have a captive audience, no??
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Is it a Web-surfing portable toilet or a public relations nightmare -- or both?
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) reversed its position for the second time in 24 hours on Tuesday over whether or not it had ever planned to launch a portable toilet with a built-in Internet terminal in Britain this summer.
On Monday, the world's largest software maker had said the "iLoo," which was described in minute detail in an April 30 press release by its British subsidiary, was a hoax and apologized for any "confusion or offense."
But on Tuesday Microsoft switched its story and said that the iLoo had been a legitimate project by its British MSN Internet service that was terminated after the initial announcement prompted controversy, ridicule and disgust.
"Corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, looked at it and decided maybe this wasn't a good idea," said Lisa Gurry, MSN group product manager.
Once again, when faced with the opportunity to be innovative, Microsoft blinks. Hey, as long as you don't run out of toilet paper, what's the problem? Or perhaps this is just an idea that's ahead of it's time??
