Hasta La Gadget!

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.

Though the Windows 8 user interface still sits in the “generally designed for touch” category, Microsoft isn’t being shy about continuing to push their hardware line with clickables like the Sculpt Comfort Mouse and the Sculpt Mobile Mouse this week. The Sculpt Comfort Mouse is made to be a companion of Microsoft’s Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, a device we reviewed a few months ago as it worked with Windows 8. Meanwhile the Sculpt Mobile Mouse takes the place of the original Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, adding a Windows button for bringing you back to your home screen both in Windows 8 and Windows 7.

With the Sculpt Comfort Mouse, there’s a blue touch-sensitive strip along the side of your clicker called the Windows touch tab. This allows the user to swipe up or down to move through Windows 8 the way a touchpad would. A press on this strip also brings you back back to your Start screen like the Windows button on your tablet, PC, or keyboard.

The Sculpt Comfort Mouse uses Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to the device of your choice, and will be using “BlueTrack” technology for use on “pretty much any surface.” This mouse will be available in June from Microsoft stores and retailers here and there for MSRP $39.95 in the USA.

The Sculpt Mobile Mouse is made for – you guessed it – mobile users. You’ll have four-way scrolling as the Comfort Mouse does with a tilt of the scroll wheel. This will allow sideways scrolling in your Windows 8 Start screen as well as in long webpages – if you happen across any here in the modern world.

The Sculpt Mobile Mouse will be working with a USB transceiver, BlueTrack technology, and availability inside May – that’s this month! This device will be available for MSRP $29.95 and, again, will be out in Microsoft stores as well as in retailers carrying Microsoft-branded hardware all around the USA.

Have you ever used a Microsoft-manufactured mouse or keyboard? How about a Surface tablet? What were your first impressions? Do you still use these devices today, or did you switch to a “3rd party” creator of accessories?

Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse and Mobile Mouse bring touch tab to your tips is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft’s new Xbox One will include three operating systems in one, enabling instant switching between TV and gaming content. The console uses not only “the best of” Xbox OS, Microsoft says, but the kernel of Windows, along with a third bridging platform which connects the two. It’s the combination of two platforms that Microsoft says

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Leap Motion has rolled out a preview of its gesture-control functionality on Windows 8 (it will work for Windows 7 as well, though). In case you’re not familiar with the device, it allows users to go hands-off when using their computer, controlling via gestures made in front of the display. We’ve got the preview video available for your perusal after the break.

As you can see in the video below, the Leap Motion device works via some smooth flicks of the wrist, finger plucks, and other such hands-off movements to control Windows without using a mouse and keyboard. This allows one to enjoy the touch-based design of Windows 8, for example, without a touchscreen panel, and brings the functionality to whatever computer you would like.

The device connects to a PC with a standard USB cable, and once connected works out of the box, no tweaking or such necessary. A 4-cubic foot span across your desk becomes your gesture-control area, with the device tracking finger movements to within 1/100th of a millimeter. The device itself measures in at about 3-inches long, so it won’t take up much room at all.

As you might suspect, the device’s usefulness extends beyond just tapping Windows tiles and scrolling through web results. As with a touchscreen device, it can be used to sketch, to sign digital documents, and to play games, among other things. Says Leap Motion, this video is a preview for those interested to check out before the device enters beta testing next month, during which period developers will get to use the unit.

Leap Motion CTO and co-founder David Holz said: “Out of the box, users will have the ability to browse the web, navigate their desktops, and interact with existing software. Everything you can do with a touch-based system, like Windows 8, can now be accomplished with Leap Motion technology. We want our users to have a magical experience, with easy and natural movements in the air leading to amazing interactions.”

Leap Motion demos Windows 8 gesture-control functionality ahead of beta launch is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Tablets can be handy little photo-editing devices, particularly for photographers or media workers who need to tweak an image on-the-go without pulling out a laptop. For that reason, Adobe launched an app version of Photoshop for Android and iOS users called Photoshop Express, which offers some of the editing capabilities found in the regular desktop variety of the software. It has been available for most mobile users for awhile now, but starting today it is also available for Windows users.

The app is available now from the Windows Store, and can be used by both Windows 8 and Windows RT users, meaning it can be used on both a Windows 8 PC and a tablet. For those who don’t require the full expanse of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Express is a free alternative that offers a variety of photo-editing tools, such as the basics like cropping and red-eye correction, as well as color-adjustment tools and “Looks” photo filters.

Back on January 25, the company rolled out an update to its Express app for iPad, adding support for Retina displays, as well as some other needed features, such as multi-tasking and using the on-board camera. That last feature is now available across the latest version of the software for all devices, including PCs with an attached or integrated webcam.

In case you missed it, earlier this month Adobe rolled out Photoshop CC with integrated collaboration, Behance instant sharing, and more. Such is part of their Creative Cloud online storage, which is a subscription-based service for Adobe users available at a monthly fee. Tools, syncing, and more are offered.

It was also revealed earlier this month that Adobe is working on a Lightroom app for iOS users, an offering that will provide support for editing RAW images. This app will appeal more to the professional market, as well as those who currently use Lightroom. While not exactly the same, the app will be similar to the desktop version of the software, and will allow users to transfer their work to a computer for finalization.

SOURCE: Windows

Photoshop Express rolled out in the Windows Store is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.