Microsoft Launches New Anti-iPad Surface 2 Ad Highlighting Kickstand and Multiple Accounts

[fertilized-egg]

If you own an ipad first, the likelihood of buying an android tablet or multiples to save money I would imagine to be very slim. Especially if your kid used the ipad. And I know part of that to be true in my experience.

I don't know if you've noticed but ever since 2009-2010 the same people at Macrumors have been saying only those diehard Apple fans keep buying the iOS devices, and around them there are more people switching from iOS to Android. Every year. Apple is no longer cool and everyone's buying other non-Apple phones and tablets.

Judging from the anecdotal stories offered by them here, I'd have figured everyone has now switched to another platform except a very few Apple fans, and it must be a conspiracy the sales have grown in the past few years for Apple. It's an annual ritual.

 

[andreiru]

andreiru

Multiple accounts with usage monitoring is a great idea. Although i personally don't need it right now i can still see how it can come handy for many.

 

[weespeed]

I don't understand. To buy in-app purchases, you need to input a password. Did he know your password?

Yes he's my son and my kids use the various iPads and other tablets at home. We have 3 iPads, Hp Touchpad, Nexus 7 2013, Galaxy Tab, and HTC Flyer.

He was 8 and it is very easy at that age for an app to entice you to buy upgrades etc. I think some games are specifically targeted to kids for this very reason.

 

[Parkin Pig]

These guys really just don't get it. Shame they have so much cash to burn through so they won't just go bust quickly, and go away...

Why get so angry that someone produces something you don't want? Your momma did tell you you have the option to not buy one, didn't she?

What competition? Their products suck and their software engineering talent is wasted on stupid, half-baked software that runs on crummy hardware that nobody wants.

Nobody wants their hardware and software = zero sales.
Zero sales = so much cash to burn.

I'll back out here - you obviously know something about the free market that I don't.

 

[JoeRito]

No need for multiple accounts and the kick stand is horrible. I want to like the Surface, I'm a huge Office guy, but the pro is the only decent version and it's way too expensive.

 

[Max(IT)]

Image

Yup. Unlike the smooth, streamlined iOS settings menu, it's a terrible, confusing mess no one can navigate without at least 3 years of college.

You know, it wouldn't be so bad if people around here actually used the things they declare crap. You don't have to like everything, but you should at least have some first hand experience with the things you hate beyond "oh I used it for 2.5 seconds and found it terrible", or "I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend that it crashes all the time".

Hell, that's probably too much expect from internet people, though. An informed opinion is a hard thing to come by and all...

I say again: a joke like every Microsoft software ...

 

[HiRez]

Yeah but it also opens you up to thieves and stuff with multiple user accounts and things like that. I'm not really a fan of multi user accounts on iPads and iPhones.

What does that have to do with anything? Sure, it's possible for someone to steal information. But if you have a passcode and/or fingerprint scanner, who cares if it's one account or multiple accounts? They are all separate, with separate logins. And it's the owner's choice whether they want to use multiple accounts or only one, just as it is with any laptop. That hasn't been a problem with laptops, I don't see why it should be any different with a tablet.

 

[Renzatic]

I say again: a joke like every Microsoft software ...

...and why is it a joke, huh? Explain it to me.

 

[Marc-SP]

And money grows on trees. Everyone who asks for a raise at work gets it. All companies are generous with bonuses. People don't have large families. Whatever.

I think he just forgot the /s (sarcasm) sign.

 

[Rad99004]

I'm surprised that Mircrosoft hasn't made a video of people trying to use the Mac book pro/ air. It's funny seeing them touching the screen and nothing happens. I see this at Best buy all the time.

 

[fermat-au]

Moving along here ... anyone see the Nexus 7 ads? Whatever you want to think of the Nexus, top-notch ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLrfSLm9lPU

As for multiple users, they have it on OSX, why not iOS?

Top-notch ad for a top-notch product.
Interestingly Google, the engineering driven company, has been making very human centric ads lately. The iPhone 5c and 5s ads mostly show how cool and colourful the phone is.

 

[MacAddict1978]

It's a shame people really don't care about that sort of thing.

These are true statements.

But Microsoft just doesn't have the "cool" factor that Apple does.

people really do care about those things... but if you want apple products, you have to be willing to be spoon fed such basic features over years and years.

iPhone took almost 4 years to finally be on par with basic features of even some feature phones.... but it was still the best phone out there. Spoon feeding basics has been the apple way for eons.... but they aren't deal breakers just small things.

I just never will understand why apple doesn't just go for it out the gate....

but user accounts or not, most people would still prefer an ipad over a surface any day....

but these kinds of posts make me laugh at how biased people are.

People do prefer these features.... which is why apple went from 70% tablet market share a year ago to just over 30% today.

Still #1 by manufacturer, but not by platform.

IOS on the iPad shouldn't be a blown up version of IOS on the iPhone. It needs a little bit more girth or that 30% will be 20.... then 10....

 

[Michael Goff]

people really do care about those things... but if you want apple products, you have to be willing to be spoon fed such basic features over years and years.

iPhone took almost 4 years to finally be on par with basic features of even some feature phones.... but it was still the best phone out there. Spoon feeding basics has been the apple way for eons.... but they aren't deal breakers just small things.

I just never will understand why apple doesn't just go for it out the gate....

but user accounts or not, most people would still prefer an ipad over a surface any day....

but these kinds of posts make me laugh at how biased people are.

People do prefer these features.... which is why apple went from 70% tablet market share a year ago to just over 30% today.

Still #1 by manufacturer, but not by platform.

IOS on the iPad shouldn't be a blown up version of IOS on the iPhone. It needs a little bit more girth or that 30% will be 20.... then 10....

Okay I have to answer a few points.

Why hasn't Apple done this yet? They haven't needed to.

Next we answer market share. Well, really, it was bound to happen eventually. One company can't continue to dominate against several. Android has plenty of different manufacturers.

Also, people might care about them a little. If you asked anyone if they'd like to be able to run two apps side by side? They'd agree. Office? Some people would probably want it. Kickstand built in? Some people would probably want it. But for some reason it isn't enough to buy a tablet with those things.

Because those things are nice, they're seemingly not deciding factors.

 

[lk400]

Hey, I post in Macrumors News. That means that, just like about everyone here, I'm all about taking the do as I say, don't do as I do approach.

Haha. I like your self awareness!

 

[everything-i]

So by your logic, people with less money will then buy each family member an iPad ?

Errrr no.

they buy the other family members Android tablets.

So 1 iPad and 3 Android Tablets.

Kerching, thanks very much, and if this scenario happen all over, there is only one inevitable outcome.

Not sure what point your trying to make but buying 3 android tablets at $150 to $300 each for the kids to play with after spending around $400 on an iPad does not sound like a family with disposable income worries.

 

[baryon]

Do you have a source to backup that claim?

Yep! Just look at it!

 

[till213]

how would push notifications work with multi-user?

Not be shown on the login screen.

And notification center on the home screen. Is there a sense of logging out?

Yes.

Are notifications and the notification center just not present when the last user has logged out?

Yes.

Are all apps installed for all users?

Depends on where you install them: "For All Users" or "Current user"

What about media?

See "Apps"

What happens when you open Control Center from the lock screen and take a picture?

You can't.

What camera roll does it save to?

See above.

Whose Clock app is opened?

What "Clock" app?

Is DND a device setting or user setting?

DND? Huh? "Drag'N'Drop? Are you referring to "Find my iPhone" in any way?

There are likely hundreds of little nuances like this that need to be considered.

Well, the above ones were extremely easy to answer, took me 2 minutes.

And the whole login/logout concept is very desktop oriented.

"... and we want all this in here!" (deep xXx voice)

iOS devices are meant to be switched on and ready to go with all of your latest updates waiting for you, or notifying you that something you're interested in has happened. This all becomes very muddled when you introduce multiple users.

Add a switch "Enable multi-user environment" and both worlds are served.

 

[notjustjay]

...and why is it a joke, huh? Explain it to me.

Ignore him. He's obviously made up his own little mind.

Microsoft has made some very good hardware over the years. Who hasn't used a Microsoft mouse or keyboard at some point or other? Some products not so great (XBOX 360) but everyone has lemons, including Apple (right, puck mouse?)

I remember walking through Yorkdale Mall in Toronto once last year where there is a Microsoft Store next door to an Apple Store (I know, right?) so I decided to walk into the Microsoft Store intending to guffaw at all the crap -- cause Apple rules and Microsoft droolz, right? Well, I sat down to play with a Surface tablet, and 30 minutes later, I wasn't laughing.

Surface is actually a very decent piece of hardware. Software can use some work, sure. I like it better than Android. I'm honestly not sure whether my next tablet device will run iOS or Windows 8.1.

Oh, and I would also love multi-user support for iPads (less of a need for an iPhone). I sometimes allow other people to use my iPad, including kids, it would be nice to have custom access to apps so others aren't messing about with my email or Facebook, for example, or messing up my Angry Birds scores

 

[IJ Reilly]

Ignore him. He's obviously made up his own little mind.

Microsoft has made some very good hardware over the years. Who hasn't used a Microsoft mouse or keyboard at some point or other? Some products not so great (XBOX 360) but everyone has lemons, including Apple (right, puck mouse?)

I remember walking through Yorkdale Mall in Toronto once last year where there is a Microsoft Store next door to an Apple Store (I know, right?) so I decided to walk into the Microsoft Store intending to guffaw at all the crap -- cause Apple rules and Microsoft droolz, right? Well, I sat down to play with a Surface tablet, and 30 minutes later, I wasn't laughing.

Surface is actually a very decent piece of hardware. Software can use some work, sure. I like it better than Android. I'm honestly not sure whether my next tablet device will run iOS or Windows 8.1.

Oh, and I would also love multi-user support for iPads (less of a need for an iPhone). I sometimes allow other people to use my iPad, including kids, it would be nice to have custom access to apps so others aren't messing about with my email or Facebook, for example, or messing up my Angry Birds scores

Sound observations. I've never been a fan of Microsoft (and was downright hostile to them for a long time), and I think still they are hopeless in many ways. Yet I don't root for them to fail, or assume that they always will. I have to wonder at the completely dismissive remarks we hear on these boards about everything they release. It's as if fans of Apple's products have to stay on the reservation at all times or face ridicule or even banishment.

Microsoft is nothing else if not relentless. They are like that dog who won't let go of your pants cuffs. Apple needs to continually up their game if they want to stay ahead, even in markets they essentially created from scratch. Being first in is not a guarantee of anything. The good news is, I'm sure they know that well enough.

 

[JonyIve]

I think he just forgot the /s (sarcasm) sign.

/s... for simple?

 

[ellsworth]

Tell us more about your many iPhone/iPad/Android commercials.

The company I use to work for would get contracted to shoot new apps for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Certain shoots would require consultants "from upstairs" in order to dial in specifics when it came down to the color of the screen, the color temperature of white background and even the stabilizing mechanism that would hold onto the device while a hand was flipping through features. Oh and for Apple stuff, you're not allow to super-impose anything onto their screens. Everything must be shot in realtime. Back in the day prior to retina screens, you can imagine the nightmare the resolution on those screens would cause.

Thanks for asking.

 

[AdonisSMU]

What does that have to do with anything? Sure, it's possible for someone to steal information. But if you have a passcode and/or fingerprint scanner, who cares if it's one account or multiple accounts? They are all separate, with separate logins. And it's the owner's choice whether they want to use multiple accounts or only one, just as it is with any laptop. That hasn't been a problem with laptops, I don't see why it should be any different with a tablet.

Mobile devices are stolen way more than laptops are. Also with guest logins and what not people are opening themselves up to be a target unwittingly.

 

[Max(IT)]

Ignore him. He's obviously made up his own little mind.

Microsoft has made some very good hardware over the years. Who hasn't used a Microsoft mouse or keyboard at some point or other? Some products not so great (XBOX 360) but everyone has lemons, including Apple (right, puck mouse?)

I remember walking through Yorkdale Mall in Toronto once last year where there is a Microsoft Store next door to an Apple Store (I know, right?) so I decided to walk into the Microsoft Store intending to guffaw at all the crap -- cause Apple rules and Microsoft droolz, right? Well, I sat down to play with a Surface tablet, and 30 minutes later, I wasn't laughing.

Surface is actually a very decent piece of hardware. Software can use some work, sure. I like it better than Android. I'm honestly not sure whether my next tablet device will run iOS or Windows 8.1.

Oh, and I would also love multi-user support for iPads (less of a need for an iPhone). I sometimes allow other people to use my iPad, including kids, it would be nice to have custom access to apps so others aren't messing about with my email or Facebook, for example, or messing up my Angry Birds scores

Microsoft very good hardware ? Ahahahaha ... And I'm the one who made up my own little mind

Microsoft can't design a coherent UI .... they just can't. Colored boxes all around and then, a level below , plain text.
Do you like it more than android ? Geez, android is even worst, I do agree.

 

[Michael Goff]

Microsoft very good hardware ? Ahahahaha ... And I'm the one who made up my own little mind

Microsoft can't design a coherent UI .... they just can't. Colored boxes all around and then, a level below , plain text.
Do you like it more than android ? Geez, android is even worst, I do agree.

You're arguing that their software is bad by talking about a UI.

You do know hardware is different from software, right? Because the biggest complaint about Microsoft generally doesn't come about how the Surface 2 is running bad hardware. It generally is about ... the software.

 

[Renzatic]

You do know hardware is different from software, right? Because the biggest complaint about Microsoft generally doesn't come about how the Surface 2 is running bad hardware. It generally is about ... the software.

Well, the Surface 1 was more than a bit underpowered for its time. But now that the Surface 2 is out, the only thing people have to complain about is the lack of apps. Metro on a tablet is about as solid an experience as you can ask for.