The iPad Air by Apple Inc and the Galaxy Tab by Google have come under fire in new short advertisements posted in the Microsoft YouTube channel to promote Microsoft’s new tablet, the Surface 2. All of the videos were posted on 27 November 2013.
Surface 2 vs. iPad Air
Surface 2 has USB ports
This was the first video in the series to highlight the differences between the Surface 2 and similar products. This ad mentions that the Surface 2 has a USB port while the iPad doesn’t. It’s easy to project the Surface 2 onto a large screen or TV with the HD video outport, the ad says. Also: “The full-size USB 3.0 port makes charging your phone, uploading your photos, and transferring documents fast and easy. You can charge your device and get stuff done at the same time.” It goes on to explain that the iPad only has one port to be used for power or external devices. “Apple only officially supports only the connection of a camera via USB,” it adds.
Surface 2 is better for hands-free cooking
This video boasts the Surface 2’s new “Food and Drink App,” and shows how the kickstand and hands-free mode keep the screen from getting soiled. “Free apps on the iPad don’t offer the same hands-free technology,” the add says. “Even after purchasing a hands-free recipe app, the voice command requires a quiet room to work properly.”
Surface 2 allows multiple accounts and family controls
The Surface 2 lets you have multiple accounts on the same device with a customized background and apps for each one. Also, the ad mentions that Surface 2 will have family safety controls: “Parents will appreciate the built-in tools and auto-generated reports that monitor their kids’ interaction with the device and protect them while online.” It can be set up so that parents can monitor their kids’ surfing habits, delivering charts that show which sites they go to the most. It has never been easier to get creeped out by your childrens’ internet use. “The iPad doesn’t allow for multiple accounts and does not have the ability to monitor usage.”
Surface 2 vs Galaxy Tab
PowerPoint Presentations
The first ad that compares these tablets points to the full features of Office 2013 RT that are available on the Surface 2 but not Google’s Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 has Polaris Office, “but does not have the full editing capability that the Surface does,” like editing formulae in PowerPoint. To underscore this, a frustrated Galaxy Tab user is shown repeatedly hitting the +/= sign on his keyboard. The ad makes an awkward segue to “editing documents on the go” and highlights the kickstand and keyboard. “Surface offers an optional integrated keyboard and the ability to use a mouse,” the ad says. “The sturdy kickstand makes it easy to work from anywhere.”
Surface 2 has a full-size USB port
This ad is similar to the one comparing the ports on the Surface 2 and the iPad Air, except it says that the Galaxy Tab doesn’t have a full-size USB port. With the Surface 2, “You can charge your device and get stuff done at the same time.” The Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, on the other hand, has one micro-USB port to use for use for powering up and connecting external devices, which requires the purchase of additional connectors.
Surface 2 allows multiple accounts and family controls
Another ad points out that the Surface 2 has multiple user accounts and parental monitoring capabilities, while the Galaxy Tab does not. It is basically the same as the one comparing the Surface 2 to the iPad Air.
It will be interesting to see how Apple Inc and Google will react after coming under fire by Microsoft’s new Surface 2 ads.
By K. Elsner
14 thoughts on “Apple Inc and Google Tablets Under Fire by New Surface 2 Ads”
Multiple user accounts are the only solution to BYOD. Business is business with business information controls. Play is Play and should be controlled to lock out business access both ways.
Nonsense. BYOD mean bring “your own devise” Not bring it to share it with other employees and subsidize your employers business costs.
“Wait till Windows gets it right”. What other explanation is there for negative PR designed to create doubt and paralyze purchasing decision. Doubt is great at keeping voters from voting. Let’s see if Google, Apple, or Microsoft is helped more by putting off consumer buying for another month or two? Hint: Which company is evolving the capabilities of users to access the knowledge on the worldwide web at lower margin?
Keep waiting…it will never happen. It does not sell any better than Samsuck. Read below.
“Furthermore, if you were looking forward to the second-generation of a Surface tablet – both the regular one and the Pro version – you might as well pay attention. This latest price cut is only offered on the original tablet – probably designed to clear out any remaining sluggish stock Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has lying around. A worthy investment at its new budget price, the aging hardware of the original Surface is not something to be looked over. If you’re a Windows 8 ecosystem fan, of course.”
@mds Typical arrogant and deluded comment from you and as usual way off the mark. Not having an Apple device doesn’t make you poor, just as having an Apple device doesn’t make you rich either.
Apple want you to think that tablets are personal devices, so that a family can buy 4 of them, instead of one which can be shared and while that worked on the past when the iPad was far superior to every other tablet a lot of people fell for it. Not so now though as people are a bit more savvy these days and it’s no longer a case of “you get what you pay for”. Some Android tablets half the price are better and more powerful than an iPad.
Remember Michael – iOS market share is dropping like a stone towards single digits worldwide just as the OS X has been for the 30 years it has been released.
Great way to twist my comment. I’m sure many Android tablet owners don’t share either. The point is that sharing a tablet is not a selling point because the FACT is that it is meant as a personal device and for the most part IS; regardless of what brand.
To suggest otherwise is like saying the smartphones are multiple user devices.
The difference is that AAPL knows this and would never suggest such a silly selling point or make a device for that intent.
You mistake reality for arrogance.
As far as your last sentence is concerned…if that is what you believe; watch and weep if your investments follow that belief. For your sake I hope not.
Are you getting a nose bleed yet watching AAPL’s rise in price.?
Let’s see who is delusional at the end of the season.
I would bet you have no skin in the game and just running your mouth off as an AAPL hater.
Good luck.
I predict $560 TODAY. Guess what they are selling. It ain’t sanitary pads!
LMAO!!!!!!
Your silence is bliss!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas to me.
Tablets are personal devices. Multiple user accounts are for stationary desktop computers a family might use.
The poorer customers surface might find this useful in that they don’t have a desktop in their “eco system” because it is likely the only device they own.
AAPL users do not let others use their tablets.
You totally regurgitated every MS ad for their wannabe tablets. How much did MS pay for this ad under the guise of a “news” story?
The article merely reports that Microsoft launched a new ad campaign directed at its competitors, and the videos here for anyone who’s curious as to what they say. If you must know, I don’t find the ads particularly effective, and I find it odd that Microsoft even makes computers.
MSFT is a ship without a Captain. It should not surprise anyone that the nuts are running the asylum.
I’d STILL never buy anything M’soft.
Never have.
Owned Apole since 80’s (HATE so-rang ‘fan boys,’ etc).
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