May 24
May 23
Adding on to its previous new ad taking a knock at Siri and the iPad, Microsoft is back with another ad that outlines the iPad’s lack of multitasking, and the setbacks with printing and other hardware downsides. In this case, Microsoft uses an ASUS VivoTab RT and puts it up against the latest fourth-generation iPad.
The video compares both tablets as far as hardware specs are concerned, such as the weight and size of the tablets, as well as the selection of apps and the ability to multitask. Microsoft shows off the ASUS tablet running full Office, while the iPad only has the OneNote app. And while the iPad can quickly switch between apps, Microsoft gloats that the VivoTab can do split-screen multitasking.
The ad also demonstrates that Windows 8 tablets have a microSD card slot built in, while the iPad requires an adapter in order to get the same functionality. Microsoft even brings up printing, noting that the iPad only works with AirPrint-compatible printers, while Windows 8 tablets work with nearly any printer.
While Microsoft’s previous tablet commercials have been all about focusing only on the tablet itself, these new ads put some focus on the competition — in this case, it’s the iPad that’s giving Microsoft’s tablets a run for their money, so it seems the company wants to set the record straight and let people know the benefits of their tablets.
It’s certainly a blatant call out to the iPad, which could result in some eye rolls by viewers, but we have to say these ads are a bit better than office workers break-dancing on top of tables and flinging around their Surface tablets. It’s certainly a better ad for those who don’t like flashy and fast-paced advertisements (*raises hand*).
Microsoft pounces iPad again with new comparison ad is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 23
May 23
The popular new email app for the iPhone, called Mailbox, has made its way to the iPad in the latest version 1.3 update that arrived today. iPhone users who have used Mailbox before will be familiar with the iPad version’s layout, only this time around it sports a two-pane interface that makes it even easier to get down to inbox zero.
Essentially, the iPad app lets you scroll through your email while you have individual messages open in a larger pane on the right side. Of course, this type of layout isn’t new as we’ve seen similar layouts in other iPad email apps, but if you’re committed to Mailbox, you’ll no doubt be pleased to be able to churn through email on a larger display.
Mailbox first made its debut back in February for the iPhone, and most users were immediately greeted with a wait list status, meaning that a lot of users couldn’t start using the new app right away, with hundreds of thousands of users waiting in line in front of them. However, the company recently removed the wait list and let anyone in, allowing full access to Mailbox.
Back in March, popular cloud storage service Dropbox acquired Mailbox for an undisclosed amount. The two companies didn’t exactly detail what the future plans would be, but we’re guessing that Mailbox will end up coming with some sort of Dropbox integration at some point, although two months later, we haven’t heard from Dropbox about their plans for the email app.
If you’re interested in using Mailbox, it’s available for free, but it only supports Gmail at this point, with no word on whether or not other email services will get integration. Granted, a lot of people use Gmail anyway, but for those using Yahoo or Outlook, you’ll have to hold up for a bit to see if Mailbox gets support for other service.
SOURCE: Mailbox
Mailbox app finally arrives on the iPad is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 23
There have been calls for an iPad-native Mailbox app virtually from the get-go — some of us want to get to inbox zero on a bigger screen, after all. The team has clearly been listening, as the free Mailbox 1.3 update now supports Apple’s larger gadgets. While there isn’t much mystery in the new version for anyone who has used both Mailbox and other iPad email clients before, power users should appreciate seeing full messages while they swipe away at their inbox. We’re still waiting on Mailbox support for other platforms — and services beyond Gmail, for that matter — but iPad owners can get some satisfaction at the source link.
Filed under: Tablets, Internet, Software
Via: Mailbox, AllThingsD
Source: App Store
May 23
Microsoft’s Cheap Shot At The iPad Actually Points Out Exactly Why Windows 8 Tabs Suck
Posted in: Today's Chili
Being behind in a market sucks, and it’s understandable to want to lash out at the top dog, as Microsoft has shown it’s willing to do with Google in search and email, and now with Apple in tablet computers. A brand new Windows 8 ad pits the iPad against Microsoft’s Windows 8 tablet, in an attempt to show how much more versatile the Asus VivoTab is vs. the iOS device.
Microsoft uses Siri’s voice (which isn’t difficult, given that it’s a fairly generic computer-generated female tone) to highlight what the Windows 8 tablet can do that the iPad can’t, including things like live tiles (it took me a couple views to figure out what “I don’t update like that” even meant), Windows Snap multitasking, and… PowerPoint. Then finally we get a price comparison, showing the much cheaper price tag for the Asus.
The problem is that not only is the Siri construct weak and her actual lines poorly written, but the abilities Microsoft chooses to highlight show exactly why it doesn’t “get” the tablet market. People aren’t looking for multitasking PowerPoint slide deck-creating machines; they have computers for that.
The closing bit here is maybe the worst part; showing that Apple’s iPad can easily provide a remarkably realistic experience for playing Chopsticks on the screen is not the way to trash your competition, especially if you noticeably can’t offer up an equivalent experience on your own hardware. Apple uses that in its own ads for a reason, and that’s to highlight the magical, delightful experiences users can have on its device. Countering that with a bunch of sober (though admittedly useful) features isn’t the way to turn the tide back in your favor.
An earlier version of this post mistakenly identified the Asus VivoTab in this ad as a Surface.
May 23
Shazam has revamped its iOS app with the iPad getting the spoils, including an auto-tagging feature that constantly keeps a digital ear open to recognize any music playing nearby. The new app reworks the Shazam homescreen to put more emphasis on social music discovery, listing what tracks contacts are listening to, and can automatically pull in lyrics more quickly as well as – in the US, primarily – interact with TV shows.
For US users, and those watching select content in the UK, the new Shazam iPad app can listen out to what’s showing on-screen and pull out extra content. That could be special offers related to advertising, or information on specific shows and actors. The new homescreen will include what TV is being commonly watched in among the music listings, too.
Elsewhere, there’s integrated Rdio streaming – for which you’ll need a subscription – to instantly play back tagged songs, and a world mapping system which can show what’s popular in different locations. Shazam says it’s accurate down to town-level data, in some cases.
Meanwhile, the app can now apparently recognize music in as little as a second, and there’s tagging caching if you’re in an area with a poor data connection, so that you don’t have to re-tag them when you get coverage again. Social options now include email, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Shazam’s new app is available for iPhone and iPad, though some of the more impressive features only work on the tablet version. As for the Android app, that’s due to get a similar update “in the coming weeks.”
Shazam adds auto-tagging: Always listening to your music and TV is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 23
Shazam for iPad gets auto-tagging, trending charts, local maps, Spotify and Rdio integration (updated)
Posted in: Today's Chili
If you’ve ever sighed in frustration at not being able to leap straight from discovering a song to playing it ad-nauseum on Spotify or Rdio, here’s a heads-up. Shazam’s iPad-focused iOS update integrates both streaming services with its discovery software in addition to a new look home screen and an auto-tagging mode that’ll passively observe any music in the background. The mapping service has also been tweaked, letting you search and see what songs are being tagged in your neighborhood (or anyone else’s, for that matter) and if you’d like to see it in action, head on past the break.
Update: Shazam’s been in touch to clarify that Rdio is available for all users, but if you want Spotify integration, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, HD, Mobile, Apple
May 23
May 23
Apple’s Siri is known for its occasional blasts of snark, but Microsoft has co-opted the virtual assistant for its latest Windows tablet commercial. Billed “Less talking, more doing” the advert – which you can see after the cut – pits Apple’s iPad against an ASUS VivoTab Smart running Windows 8, and which unsurprisingly enough is found lacking in Microsoft’s opinion.
The commercial kicks off with Windows’ Live Tiles, with Siri conceding that iOS doesn’t update its icons like that, and then launches into multi-tasking. The ASUS tablet is shown opening up a sidebar with a second app, again something which isn’t supported on the iPad.
Then it’s time for PowerPoint, since Microsoft apparently can’t imagine a world where a tablet user might not want to throw together some slides. On the ASUS, the presentation can be edited and re-formatted, while the iPad is shown merely scrolling and zooming around in frustration. It’s worth noting that Apple does offer Keynote for iOS, its own PowerPoint alternative, which does allow presentations to be created.
“Should we just play Chopsticks?” Siri concludes, playing out the advert as Microsoft reveals its kicker: how much 64GB versions of both tablets cost. The iPad – Apple’s full-sized version, complete with Retina display – is priced at $699, while ASUS’ Windows 8 tablet is $449.
It’s certainly one of the better adverts Microsoft has put together – at least there’s no random dancing like the Surface tablet commercials the company aired last year – and the use of Siri’s voice (the actual audio files for which Apple licenses) is a sly touch that’s likely to get the fans arguing. Still, Microsoft’s decision to illustrate functionality with PowerPoint seems like a missed opportunity; the business-centric app has little relevance to home users.
Thanks Craig!
Microsoft borrows Siri for iPad smack commercial is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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