Microsoft Releases Fourth Anti-iPad Ad Highlighting Windows 8 Multitasking Capabilities

[Balty]

Why do you even need video in this situation? Regardless of brands, and devices and features, I'm simply curious as to the marketing rationale behind this.

I don't need to know what my boss looks like, I need to hear a yes or no answer from him as to whether to interview the baseball player.

If this had been an audio call there would have been absolutely no problem, and both devices would have performed in the same manner.

This is where marketing is a little bit misleading. The average consumer will see that the one device, as depicted in the competitor's advertisement, was more confusing to use, and that's an instant turn-off. Everything that happens after that initial impression is meaningless, regardless of the actual circumstances where this problem could be avoided altogether.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

If you really think about it, the human eye can only view one thing at a time. Can you read two books at the same time? Can you read two emails at the same time? Can you type two different documents at the same time? Can you play two different videogames at the same time?

This whole idea of multitasking is overrated, IMO. Trying to get a gadget to do something you can't even do as human makes no sense.

They're misusing the word "multitasking" - I think a better word would be "multiapping". It's true the human mind takes 3-6 seconds to swap between different tasks, but what if you're doing the same task across two different apps? Maybe you're reading a book in one app and taking notes in another. Maybe you're doing what the guy in the Daft Punk video in comment #20 of this thread was doing and recording one song across several apps. Two different apps doesn't mean two different tasks. To say that a person should only ever use one app at a time would mean you shouldn't ever bother having windowed applications in OS X.

 

[Lancer]

I guess this will change with iOS7?

 

[Rettun1]

WHAT THE FUNK I CAN'T SEE YOU. THIS RUINS EVERYTHING!

Calm down, guy

 

[Stella]

Interface Builder no longer exists, which is possibly why your thoughts on Xcode are as they are. You know that you could always substitute "is" with "was" or "can be"? It really isn't, now - ask MANY, MANY other devs here, and see what they say, however.

Cheers

Well, I'm using the latest XCode ( that would be v4 , of course ), but I think you know exactly what I mean when referencing "Interface Builder" and your trying to get some kind of response.

Yes, we all know that XCode is more integrated now, unlike prior versions that enjoyed to spawn 101 windows. "Interface Builder" as a reference to the GUI Building / wiring aspect of XCode...

 

[farkingdom]

I can't help to see this thread is flooded with so many bitter fanboys who cry that Windows 8 is dumb just because of the ad. Honestly, I do wonder why people prefer a full-blown mobile OS over a full fledged PC OS, because I don't even know what is wrong with the world anymore.

Indeed, the iPad is a market leader in tablet category with quality apps and smoother OS to compensate. But, that's it. Remember the time when the iPad was relatively new and everyone mocked it as an enlarged version of iPhone that can't do calls?

Well, so is Windows 8 on a tablet which is relatively new to the market. However, Windows 8 is constantly improving with the release of 8.1, and its Store is still expanding to include great apps such as Facebook App and Flipboard App (which are coming soon).

To cry that Windows 8 is dumb is futile, its functionality has already surpassed the iPad in many ways (as the ad implies: multitasking, or a full fledged IE Metro app browser that does not lack flash).

Apple had played the game of comparing Mac vs PC in the past, so butt hurt fanboys should not get bitter this time. The iPad has been in dominance of the tablet market for too long, and it's about time for some competition to come out. I do have respect for Apple but I think they should not have been complacent.

Tell me, how many like iOS7 interface on the iPad? I know it's still in Beta, but do you really think iOS7 on iPad is any game changer or will there be a massive difference between the final release and beta in terms of functionality?

And lastly, I do own both iOS device and Windows 8 device, both are great devices to use. For productivity, I'll rather get out a Mac or just use the Windows 8 device.

 

[inkswamp]

I'm sure they watched it and then did some digging and understand that real multi-tasking is not coming in ios7 no matter what spin was given at WWDC.

Plenty of info on it out there.

When did the definition of multi-tasking become having multiple windows open? Did I miss a memo?

Multi-tasking is the ability of a platform to run processes simultaneously. It has nothing to do with how many windows you have open or how many apps are crowding into the foreground.

About a month ago, I was sitting at breakfast browsing the Web on my iPad while streaming a radio station in the background and updating the apps on it. All at the same time. I remember this because it occurred to me how efficiently iOS actually does multi-task. How is that not multi-tasking?

 

[SpectreOne3]

Was that Rod Farva using the Windows tablet? "Give me a liter of cola"

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

Really...

If you really think about it, the human eye can only view one thing at a time. Can you read two books at the same time? Can you read two emails at the same time? Can you type two different documents at the same time? Can you play two different videogames at the same time?

This whole idea of multitasking is overrated, IMO. Trying to get a gadget to do something you can't even do as human makes no sense.

That's the best you can come up with. The human eye can only view one thing at a time?

So when you're watching a movie, you only watch the person talking. It must get really confusing for you to hold a conversation or give a presentation to a group of people.

If this is the case then maybe you should go back to a DOS terminal as "modern computing" seems to have passed you by.

Considering the fact that every other "modern" mobile OS has the capability to multitask and many have the option of split screens for productivity and creative functionality it seems that Apple or iOS is choosing to take the "Choice" away from their users.

With Apple you are limited to what they choose is best for you. They choose what screen size is best for you. They choose what apps "need" to run at the same time "but not on the same screen".

This reminds me of the old Mac Finder days when Mac users defended the fact that Mac OS couldn't truly multitask.

It's history playing itself all over again. That big pile of cash Apple has in Ireland better be getting some good interest rates.

It's going to be a long summer for Apple users when a Microsoft commercial creates such a ruckus. Don't worry, Jony is at work to make sure iOS 7 is as pastel as possible. It will help hide the lack of real features.

 

[appleisking]

Well, so is Windows 8 on a tablet which is relatively new to the market. However, Windows 8 is constantly improving with the release of 8.1, and its Store is still expanding to include great apps such as Facebook App and Flipboard App (which are coming soon).

To cry that Windows 8 is dumb is futile, its functionality has already surpassed the iPad in many ways (as the ad implies: multitasking, or a full fledged IE Metro app browser that is not limited to mobile websites only).

.

I don't quite understand what you mean. The safari browser on an ios device is in no way limited to mobile websites only. You can go to full desktop websites. I've always considered windows tablets to be productivity oriented. They're great if you want a tablet that can do anything. An iPad is a media-consumption tablet. I know microsoft is trying to knock on the market leader in their ads, but I think it'd be better if they try to establish a nice little productivity niche. There are tons of people who would like max functionality for their tablets, and microsoft is in a position to deliver. The only serious qualm I have about their tablets is really battery life and storage tends to be a problem, given the size of windows 8. But their barrage against the iPad is, frankly, futile.

 

[ChrisTX]

Que the angry comments against Microsoft. Apple did Mac v PC, Microsoft actually have the balls to do something similar: Let them.

The only angry ones are Microsoft because no one is actually buying their tablets.

 

[lobeyonekenobi]

Que the angry comments against Microsoft. Apple did Mac v PC, Microsoft actually have the balls to do something similar: Let them.

You're right about letting them advertise their product, it's their decision and there is nothing wrong with it but please this PC vs Mac comment is getting old, I've read it a million times, it always gets dragged up in virtually every thread.

 

[duffman9000]

I can't help to see this thread is flooded with so many bitter fanboys who cry that Windows 8 is dumb just because of the ad. Honestly, I do wonder why people prefer a full-blown mobile OS over a full fledged PC OS, because I don't even know what is wrong with the world anymore.

The game MS is playing is actually amusing. Sometimes MS will compare an iPad with a Windows RT tablet. If MS were to compare the iPad to a Windows 8 tablet then it would probably talk about the number of legacy apps. The same legacy apps that are not optimized for tablet use. I was bombarded Memorial Day weekend during pre-movie previews about Windows 8/RT productivity apps, like Office 2013, which I know includes apps that give touch only a passing glance.

 

[Yogomi]

I currently have a Samsung ATIV Smart PC 500t. I've had it since last fall; before the release. In my opinion, it seriously has to to be the worst tablet experience ever; mainly due, again my opinion, to Windows 8; another horrible experience. The response is very clunky and the OS crashes or freezes from time to time. I actually just ordered the keyboard for it and quit thinking of it as a tablet. Makes a tiny bit more sense to use in that mode.

In comparison from owning and using this and several iPads, it is not a simple-to-use or clean experience. The app selection is laughable.

I want to like Windows 8 on a tablet, but they're making it impossible for me.

-Y.

 

[3282868]

C'mon guys, as much as I love my iPad, this is about the only gripe I have. Even with multitasking gestures, these babies should be able to run 2 app's on the display at once. There have been times I've been working and I needed to text via Messages to a colleague; it does interrupt workflow having to swipe back and forth, or double click, select, type, double click, select, work, type, double click, select, etc, etc. Gestures helps a bit, but there's no reason at that price it can't do something a Windows tablet can.

Instead of making excuses or ridiculing other products, let's hold Apple to a higher standard, it's the best way to improve on good products.

 

[brian017]

Couldn't he just talk to the agent too and let the player decide what offer to accept?

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

You're right about letting them advertise their product, it's their decision and there is nothing wrong with it but please this PC vs Mac comment is getting old, I've read it a million times, it always gets dragged up in virtually every thread.

Apple only had 66 of them. I'd imagine Microsoft and Google are going to have a field day this summer considering they both know the lack of capabilities in iOS 7.

 

[Firelock]

Giving them away

MS is apparently giving away thousands of Surface tablets to corporations. I only know one person who has a Surface and it was a gift from MS.

 

[Glideslope]

Non Event

Desperate Series from a stagnant company. Let's see if WIN 8.1 actually works, eh? XBox One is a Home Run, no? How long does that battery last on that Beastly Surface? WIN8 Phone is selling like gangbusters, no?

Ballmer will announce the big restructuring next month. In a year we will know if Microsoft still has it. Yada, yada, yada.

----------

Apple only had 66 of them. I'd imagine Microsoft and Google are going to have a field day this summer considering they both know the lack of capabilities in iOS 7.

Time to change your Meds.

 

[Jaredly]

I disagree. Smart multitasking is far better than everything running even when it doesn't need to. IOS already allows for this already and I can use a multitude of music apps and route them together in ways Android and RT can't. Someone else actually posted a video demoing the process. The important stuff like being able to easily add members to a call or look up an map or be on Facebook while talking on the phone was on iPhone for years. I even realized I could be on a call and play a song allowing the other person to hear it. You had to cup your hand on the bottom of the phone, but still cool. Apple always adds dozens on features that they never talk about, like Android made a big deal out of the phone speaking text in 2011. The iPhone has always been able to do so. It's called voice over. This has been standard on Apple computers since 1984. Macs have had standard voice recognition since at least 2001. Another feature not pushed is that every mac since at least OS X has had a combined analog and digital headphone/ line output. This also applies to even the airport express. I love when I'm attaching my digital speakers and someone asks why is there a red like coming out of the cable.

You left out one huge thing that apple does over every other electronics company...

They service the devices they sell and in some cases can do it while you wait. The worst part about the Motorola droid is when it broke I had to mail it in and wait 3 days on one occasion and 7 days on my second occasion before it was even sent back to me. 7-12 days without a phone was incredibly difficult. With AppleCare this almost never happens.

 

[itsaustinh]

sad when the competitor's product has more airtime than your own...

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

sad when the competitor's product has more airtime than your own...

That's what I thought for the 66 I'm a Mac commercials.

Kind of pathetic isn't it?...

 

[lobeyonekenobi]

Apple only had 66 of them. I'd imagine Microsoft and Google are going to have a field day this summer considering they both know the lack of capabilities in iOS 7.

**SIGHS** I wasn't referring to the ads themselves, it's the fact they keep getting dragged out of the cliche bin every time a thread comes up referring to MS, so what you say has no bearing on my opinion.

I am a consumer and I buy what I enjoy using (iPad etc..), what Google or Microsoft do doesn't affect me and I couldn't give a rats arse if they advertise the lack of functionality or whatever flaws iOS 7 has, I am an adult and don't get hurt by people knocking Apple as it doesn't alter my opinion.

 

[diazj3]

LOVED the ad...

Regardless of what the windows tablet can or cannot do, I wish my iPad behaved like that, instead of like a huge phone. Apple has dropped the ball when it comes to multitasking, or even integrating apps in a workflow. Example: when I call someone who doesn't answer, I cant just jump from the call or from my address list to WhatApp or any other app.

Seriously Apple, you still have a long way to go before we call you the "ultimate" tablet.

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

They're misusing the word "multitasking" - I think a better word would be "multiapping". It's true the human mind takes 3-6 seconds to swap between different tasks, but what if you're doing the same task across two different apps? Maybe you're reading a book in one app and taking notes in another. Maybe you're doing what the guy in the Daft Punk video in comment #20 of this thread was doing and recording one song across several apps. Two different apps doesn't mean two different tasks. To say that a person should only ever use one app at a time would mean you shouldn't ever bother having windowed applications in OS X.

You must be really annoying to be behind at a traffic light. If it takes you 6 seconds to actually start moving your car your license (if you're old enough) should be taken away.

If your 3-6 second theory was correct you'd be dead the first time you got on a highway.

Quit making excuses for a the lack of iOS. It's 2013 not 2007.

Advice for the future. Go to the DMV and turn in your license and stay off the roads.