In 1980, Microsoft made a card that plugged into an Apple II computer. The card was called the Softcard and contained a Z80 processor chip which allowed the Apple II to run the CP/M operating system. I'm pretty sure that was Microsoft's first hardware venture. This was long before the IBM PC and MS DOS and Microsoft's main product was Microsoft Basic that ran on 8080 and Z80 systems. (they also sold a floating point version of Basic which ran on the Apple II with it's 6502 chip. It could be used in place of the Integer Basic written by Steve Wozniak.)
So... SoftCard means they are ready to make a modern tablet?
Seems logical to me. Carry on.
I thought that it was a poorly made ad, from a technical viewpoint, especially taking into consideration the huge budget that Microsoft is using on it's campaign.
Those rhythm noises that they added on to try and be hip (even though that gimmick has already been used on many commercials) didn't even sync up properly in some shots when people were playing with the tablets.
"The vis insita, or innate force of matter, is a power of resisting by which every body, as much as in it lies, endeavours to preserve its present state, whether it be of rest or of moving uniformly forward in a straight line."
Which is, perhaps, exactly why using a keyboard as a selling point for a tablet when Apple owns the market and has established the tablet as primarily a 'keyboard-less' device is neither convincing nor effective.
And despite all those clueless ads.... Microsoft still has 90% of the market.
353 million PCs were sold last year... all toting a Microsoft OS.
Yes... PC sales are declining... it's being reported that only 348 million PCs will be sold this year.
Microsoft is doomed because of bad advertising... right? 8-)
90% of the market. So what's got them all scared enough to start competing against their own Windows licensees?
I liked the ad, but from everything I've seen, Win8's UI is just not doing it for me it's just sooo fugly, just another step down for MS. They really have no clue, and I'm a happy PC user. Win7 was fast and stable but they stripped out some seriously good desktop features (like each folder remembering it settings), just ridiculous and frustrating things that keep me on Vista for my main workstation. But I built a Win7 Media center that boots in 10 sec, hums away in a closet with a 5T Raid recording 8 shows simultaneously with a Commercial skipping add-on that's such a killer feature, streaming to X-Box Clients in the other rooms in our house (and via Remote Potato on the iPad or iPhone). So MS makes some amazing stuff, they just have no taste as has been said before. They should just do what they do best, get a real call center that can really help users, and be happy owning the market they already have. Instead they just piss away money to try to become something they will never be...
Just read up on what MS is doing with the Xbox- incredible stuff. The "2nd screen" on a tablet or phone is awesome for gaming or watching a show through an app. Watch game if thrones thru hbogo- which I STILL don't have on my atvs... But I digress- and see the map of the world on your tablet. Play a first person shooter and your backpack items are on tablet or phone. Intriguing.
The New Nokia is pretty awesome in its own right- which is exclusive to MS (but I agree with you about win8)
So they have really nice ideas. MS at least brings fresh ideas instead of Samsung who copies everything and google who just wants to get your info and be the first one on the block with a crappy-rushed product so they can say they did it first- albeit crappily.
Will that be there downfall? Who knows. Throw enough money and research at enough things and one just might take off.
Well, I think MS is selling all those PCs because of momentum resulting from a long term near monopoly on business computer usage, not because of their advertising.
Yep... that was my point.
Ads can be good or bad... and we can laud them or complain about them... and Microsoft's product will sell.
Which is, perhaps, exactly why using a keyboard as a selling point for a tablet when Apple owns the market and has established the tablet as primarily a 'keyboard-less' device is neither convincing nor effective.
I don't understand the trackpad on it- weird.
But typing on my iPad now..... Sucks. A keyboard cover if it worked well, would be very nice. Not gonna get a surface, but I'd love for apple to do it.
Which is, perhaps, exactly why using a keyboard as a selling point for a tablet when Apple owns the market and has established the tablet as primarily a 'keyboard-less' device is neither convincing nor effective.
I knew something else was bothering me about the ad but I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's it. The ad is more about the keyboard than the tablet, or at least the keyboard working with the tablet. Is it even included? I am under the impression the two different kinds are separate accessories, and they didn't let anyone even test them at the demo they had.
The product could be interesting... but the ad entirely showcases an idea borrowed from Apple! Magnetic snapping covers? They really should focus on the keys, not the magnets. (After all, they think physical keyboards are still the future, and that laptops and tablets should be the same.)
SO an add that shows how a what looks like a keyboard can magnetically attach it's self to the tablet. Fine. The whole add did nothing but show that very thing. How about it's functionality afa connectivity and keyboard finger pointing functionality. Also the name of the device. I would have come up with a better name. How about Stab. S for shitty. And one more thing. Everything Microsoft has made has been expensive and very cheaply made. The xBox was a good machine but the Xbox 360 was a joke and they had hardware failure miserably. I wonder how Microsoft will fair in this arena?
The product could be interesting... but the ad entirely showcases an idea borrowed from Apple! Magnetic snapping covers? They really should focus on the keys, not the magnets. (After all, they think physical keyboards are still the future, and that laptops and tablets should be the same.)
If you go back to watch the press conference videos, it's almost like the detachable keyboard was the only thing they could show you, and just the detach/attach feature. I think they showed the kick stand in passing too. It's a novelty, I wonder if Tupperware made any ads that only showed people burping the plastic ware, it's about that silly. It seems like an ultra book with a touch screen would have been a better idea.
I don't think it's a good ad. It's fine to have an ad that doesn't show how the device can useful after you'v established product and market. Exhibit 1: The iconic silhouette iPod ads.
Except, one of the classic ads of all time was a blank billboard that said:
Comments
So... SoftCard means they are ready to make a modern tablet?
Seems logical to me. Carry on.
I thought that it was a poorly made ad, from a technical viewpoint, especially taking into consideration the huge budget that Microsoft is using on it's campaign.
Those rhythm noises that they added on to try and be hip (even though that gimmick has already been used on many commercials) didn't even sync up properly in some shots when people were playing with the tablets.
Don't forget they've been using them in their Mac latches and MagSafe connectors well before the IPad 2 was released.
This is the best MS can come up with?! well.. good luck!
90% of the market. So what's got them all scared enough to start competing against their own Windows licensees?
Just read up on what MS is doing with the Xbox- incredible stuff. The "2nd screen" on a tablet or phone is awesome for gaming or watching a show through an app. Watch game if thrones thru hbogo- which I STILL don't have on my atvs... But I digress- and see the map of the world on your tablet. Play a first person shooter and your backpack items are on tablet or phone. Intriguing.
The New Nokia is pretty awesome in its own right- which is exclusive to MS (but I agree with you about win8)
So they have really nice ideas. MS at least brings fresh ideas instead of Samsung who copies everything and google who just wants to get your info and be the first one on the block with a crappy-rushed product so they can say they did it first- albeit crappily.
Will that be there downfall? Who knows. Throw enough money and research at enough things and one just might take off.
Yep... that was my point.
Ads can be good or bad... and we can laud them or complain about them... and Microsoft's product will sell.
I don't understand the trackpad on it- weird.
But typing on my iPad now..... Sucks. A keyboard cover if it worked well, would be very nice. Not gonna get a surface, but I'd love for apple to do it.
I knew something else was bothering me about the ad but I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's it. The ad is more about the keyboard than the tablet, or at least the keyboard working with the tablet. Is it even included? I am under the impression the two different kinds are separate accessories, and they didn't let anyone even test them at the demo they had.
Surface users are robot like people who live in a commune where they freely interchange components.
Underage boarding school girls break dancing (WTF?)
The only people not using surfaces are old.
We like our mobile devices to make metallic clicking noises.
No one actually uses a Surface. They just like to show them off.
I defy you to watch that commercial and come up with a single reason to own the thing.
So hows that Zune doing?
The product could be interesting... but the ad entirely showcases an idea borrowed from Apple! Magnetic snapping covers? They really should focus on the keys, not the magnets. (After all, they think physical keyboards are still the future, and that laptops and tablets should be the same.)
I wouldn't say Microsoft is "scared" per se.
But... they do stand to make a lot more money selling hardware and software... instead of just software. It's a business decision.
Let's be honest though... I doubt Microsoft will overtake HP and Dell and Lenovo and Samsung and Asus, etc.
The regular ol' OEM PC still has a lot of life in it... and Microsoft will continue to sell Windows licenses for quite a while.
Overall, I liked the ad... But those schoolgirls... Wouldn't want to meet one in a dark alley... Or anyplace for that matter..
Edit: if MS were smart, they'd hire the Glee crew to do an ad...
Adv, does not make clear how that product can help you, so one will ask, what is it.
SO an add that shows how a what looks like a keyboard can magnetically attach it's self to the tablet. Fine. The whole add did nothing but show that very thing. How about it's functionality afa connectivity and keyboard finger pointing functionality. Also the name of the device. I would have come up with a better name. How about Stab. S for shitty. And one more thing. Everything Microsoft has made has been expensive and very cheaply made. The xBox was a good machine but the Xbox 360 was a joke and they had hardware failure miserably. I wonder how Microsoft will fair in this arena?
If you go back to watch the press conference videos, it's almost like the detachable keyboard was the only thing they could show you, and just the detach/attach feature. I think they showed the kick stand in passing too. It's a novelty, I wonder if Tupperware made any ads that only showed people burping the plastic ware, it's about that silly. It seems like an ultra book with a touch screen would have been a better idea.
Except, one of the classic ads of all time was a blank billboard that said:
Coming Soon.