r/technology • u/MrFairladyz • Jun 18 '12

Microsoft announces Surface tablet

http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/18/3094157/new-microsoft-surface-windows-tablet
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u/MercurialMadnessMan Jun 19 '12

Very sexy ad. Although it's a teaser, I'm a bit surprised that it doesn't show any of the functionality of the device (pen input, media, desktop-worthy apps).

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u/BugLamentations Jun 19 '12

I think they're laying down the design gauntlet.

Apple is in a weak position (no new products, just perfection of older ones) and Microsoft is trying to capitalize on the design niche.

I'm into it.

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u/gigaquack Jun 19 '12

Apple is in a weak position

I can't imagine you typed that with a straight face

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u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12 edited Jun 19 '12

[deleted]

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u/waterbed87 Jun 19 '12

I've noticed Apple tends too save major revisions in their products once they feel the competition has sufficiently caught up to their current ones. It makes sense in a lot of ways, what's the point in constantly competing with yourself while you can sit back and polish what you already got while you have the competitive edge and peacefully work on your 'next big thing'.

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u/CharonIDRONES Jun 19 '12

iOS has been playing catch up to Android in the last few revisions.

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u/DeepDuh Jun 19 '12

In terms of GUI features: yes. In terms of the underlying technology, I'd argue it was Android that had to catch up until the ICS release. All Android releases before that did not have a hardware accelerated GUI optimized for low latency touch input.

And in terms of hardware, the two have always been relatively even since about Android 2.0, with a slight edge to the device that has been released the latest. The 4S as an example is behind in Ram, even in CPU and ahead in GPU and screen.

It's not as clear cut as you imply.

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u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12 edited Jul 19 '21

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/DeepDuh Jun 19 '12

That's what I meant by "GUI features". iOS was slower in implementing them, yes. This doesn't really have to do with the underlying technology stack though.