Tech Roundup

Thoughts on iPad Mini

When pre-orders for the iPad Mini opened up, the device quickly sold out as is normal with the latest and greatest Apple gadget. However, on the actual launch day, not many people turned up to Apple stores apparently.

I am always excited by an Apple keynote, but on this occasion once the dust settled, I didn't feel excited about this device. It boils down to this - £269.00 is expensive anyway, but £269.00 and no retina display? I think not! I'll wait until the next generation when they will figure out how to get the retina display into the device without making it thicker or compromising battery life.

Thoughts on the 4th Generation iPad

Why could they not either have released this model in April, or kept the iPad 2 as the current model until now? What they have done is not right!

I see what they are trying to do though. They want their iPad launches to be just before Christmas instead of in the Spring, and that makes total sense. So I don't expect to see another new iPad anytime before October 2013. As a 3rd generation iPad owner though, I'm still a little ticked off shall we say!

Thoughts on the Microsoft Surface

Apple timed their new iPad announcement and release date to perfection. No one is really talking much about the Surface that much as far as I can see.

I've not even seen one yet I must admit, but I know what to expect from a Windows 8 tablet experience as I've tried it on other devices. The price of the basic model itself seems reasonable at £399.00 for 32gb, but if you want the touch cover/keyboard, this is not included and you have to pay an unbelievable £79.00 for this.

Time will tell how well Windows 8 tablets do. This is an OS that seems to have a bit of an identity crisis however. I quite like it, but it does become boring quickly, and I think everyday consumers will find it confusing, whilst businesses will completely reject it and stay with Windows 7 for some time to come.

I sold my Google Nexus

I only got the Google Nexus 7 16gb in July, but after initially being very excited about this little device, it pretty much sat gathering dust in the sideboard for the next couple of months.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with this device other than the fact that it was an Android tablet, and this little experiment simply proved what I suspected all along - Android is not for me!

It's gone to a very good home though with someone who appreciates and enjoys Android devices, and who is already invested in their ecosystem as much as I am in Apples. I had thought I would spend the money on an iPad Mini, but as you already read above, those plans are on hold for now. You know me though, I'm fickle when it comes to technology. I may change my mind again next week!

Take care!
Peter

Scratching the Surface

Microsoft revealed their new Tablet Device yesterday at an event in Hollywood. CEO Steve Ballmer took to the stage and introduced us to "Surface".



It is not the tech giants first attempt at dipping their toes into the tablet market. Way before Apple put their stamp all over tablets, Microsoft had tinkered with their own products with pretty underwhelming results.

In fact, Microsofts entire history at producing their own consumer hardware products has not been very successful to say the least. The only exception to this of course would be the unbelievably popular XBOX.

So hopefully they will have learned from some past mistakes and this product will be the first genuine competitor to the amazing iPad. iPads dominance has yet to be seriously challenged. The Kindle Fire and Blackberry Playbook don't compare to the Apple device, nor do any of the Android tablets that have been released so far.

Microsoft have dared to be different here though, and their interface is the first one on a Tablet that doesn't seem to be trying to be an iOS clone.

Two versions were demonstrated at the event. One thinner tablet running Windows RT, the new version of Windows 8 that uses the new British "ARM" low power processors, and another thicker device running the full Windows 8 and using traditional Intel chips.

The devices come with a stand and a magnetic attachable keyboard which looks very nice indeed. So far, no release date or pricing structure have been announced but I would expect this to be sometime later this year so that sales can be made with Christmas in mind!

So what will consumers make of this product? Well, first and foremost Microsoft will have to make their pricing structure competitive with the iPad to tempt customers away from Apple.

Ease of use will also be a big factor. iOS is so easy to use, and although my initial tests of Windows 8 (on a Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen device) have left me impressed, I think it will take users a bit of time to feel comfortable and at home with the interface. There are a few new multi touch gestures to get the hang of, but once you get used to those it is pretty easy.

Microsofts secret weapon here may be the fact that both Windows 8 versions on this device give you the ability to do anything you can on a Microsoft PC or Laptop. You also get USB ports. The iPad is truly amazing, and if you put your mind to it you can make it do almost anything you need. However, there are still occasions where it won't do something you need and you have to power on your PC or laptop which is frustrating. The Microsoft Surface could change all that.

Time will tell how successful the Microsoft Surface will be. I for one think it has a place in the market, and will be keeping my eye on pricing when it is announced. My early prediction will be that iPad will still dominate as iOS is the nicer interface to use, but Microsoft will make an impact here due to the features it will offer that iPad won't.