Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled a suite of Microsoft Surface products, including a signature tablet. The 9.3 mm Microsoft Surface tablet, powered by Windows 8, is a hair thinner than the 9.4 mm iPad 3, and its 10.6-inch display has a full inch on the iPad’s. The Surface’s two standout features are a full-sized, multitouch keyboard with trackpad that also doubles as the device’s case, and a built-in kickstand for hands-free use. It also includes a magnetized stylus that uses digital ink and a full-sized USB 2 port.
A little torn on this. Granted, we tend to be reflexively anti-Microsoft at times, but this probably is the most-aggressive attempt to take on Apple we’ve seen yet, and it’s worth taking seriously. They took Apple’s biggest iPad weakness — the lack of physical keyboard — and banked the entire device on it. It’s a smart approach, but you know, it’s one that seems like it’d be simple for a Kickstarter to copy completely. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects third-party vendors, too. Either way, this seems like an attempt to take out the netbook — if they price it right, at least.
The decline [in repair-ability] is not due to some evil plan by manufacturers, it’s due to the public desire for better products to appear regularly. The desire to buy good, low price, and reliable products that work out of the box is the driver for seeing the lack of ‘fixability’ in the new laptop line. And it’s not a bad thing.Inventing a problem, Michael Pusateri (via chartier)
» It’s not as bad as it sounds. The Human Microbiome Project, funded by the National Institute of Health, found that these bacteria can actually help us fight pathogens — those are the bad guys. This research on benign bacteria may help scientists treat, diagnose and prevent infectious diseases. You can stop washing your hands now. (edit for clarity)
Follow ShortFormBlog • Find us on Twitter & Facebook
But does the move make sense for Microsoft, who appear set to make the second billion-dollar social media acquisition of 2012? While Yammer has cornered a sizable portion of the social-enterprise market, with highly anticipated IPOs like Zynga and Facebook sliding, many believe the tech bubble may burst soon. So, what do you think? Smart move by Microsoft to stay competitive in social media, or too little, too late? (Photo via Mashable) source
»The halt comes less than a month after Nasdaq officials had to stop all trading of Zynga stock, when investors began dumping their share thanks to new fear generated by the Facebook IPO slide. To make matters worse, Zynga saw an 8.2 percent reduction in active users last month. So, do you think the company will be able to bounce back?
Follow ShortFormBlog • Find us on Twitter & Facebook
Introducing: Super Modern Mario Bros! One die-hard fan of everyone’s favorite Italian plumber created video depicting what he thought SMB’s trailer might look like if the game was making it’s debut at E3 2012 (For more visions of what a modern-day Super Mario Brothers might look like, see here and here). source
Apple’s desktop computers will get redesigned, says anonymous Apple exec
After today’s incredibly tiny update to the Mac Pro, you might be wondering if Apple plans to kill off the venerable desktop. Apparently, that’s not the case. New York Times technology columnist David Pogue spoke to an anonymous Apple executive who said that the company’s desktops are getting a makeover, perhaps by 2013.
This report might ease the worries of some Mac-heads, including Instapaper founder Marco Arment, who bluntly claimed earlier today that “The message is clear: Apple doesn’t give a s*#( about the Mac Pro.” The Mac Pro hasn’t had a full redesign since its release in 2006, and its basic look and feel is similar to the Power Mac G5, a machine that initially came out nine years ago.
Follow ShortFormBlog • Find us on Twitter & Facebook
Here’s the full list of devices that will be compatible with iOS 6 when it releases this fall.
New iOS 6 feature Guided Access allows for the disabling of portions of the screen — to assist the accessibility community with using the devices — and also allows the device to be placed in single-app mode.
The reporter...
I can’t add much to what’s already been (and will be) ...
One of the perks of being an early employee...
Over the last 90 days, the Digg...
#FMMDI (at 30 Rockefeller Plaza)
Thanks. I guess my thoughts are as follows:
1. I think...
Introducing Passbook: Apple’s new app for storing credit card info, movie tickets, boarding passes, and more.
FaceTime is the best way to have a video conference with someone, but there is one catch: It only works over Wi-Fi… so what happens when there isn’t Wi-Fi? In iOS 6 we’re enabling Facetime over cellular.Senior VP of iOS Software Scott Forstall - Announcing that FaceTime will finally be usable over cellular networks.
Ever forgot to return a call that you received while in a meeting? Now, you’ll have the ability to quickly respond to inconvenient calls with short texts, or set a quick reminder to return the call once you’re available again.
Apple has confirmed that, with the launch of iOS 6, Siri will make the leap to the new iPad. Still no support for the older models though.
Copyright 2009-2013 Ernie Smith • Ask us stuff! • E-mail us • Follow us on Twitter • Follow us on Facebook
