Daily Update: iPad 2 Day, Microsoft's Other Tablet OS, Windows 8 Silliness

Good morning.

Apple has responded, in truly firey fashion, to Microsoft's attempt to discredit Apple's trademark attempt for App Store. This fight is interesting for a number of reasons. But I'd like to point out some of the unintentionally hilarious language Apple uses to describe itself. In its filing, Apple describes itself as "the world famous technology company," "a market leading computer hardware, software and mobile computing technology and services company," and "long renowned for its innovation and product design," among other accolades. Just remember that the next time Steve Jobs or some other Apple executive puts on the humble act during a publicity event: Apple is many things. But humble isn't one of them.

Speaking of Apple, the company will today launch its iPad 2 (or "iPad 2.0," or whatever they call it). I'm hoping to see the company address the majority of my complaints about the first iPad, but at the very least, I'm hoping to see them kill the overly reflective screen that makes this device a $620 mirror on daytime flights. Just that one change would put it over the top for me. That said, in its evolutionary fashion, and based on rumors, I do expect to see the following changes as well:

- Lighter
- Thinner
- Faster/dual-core CPU
- More RAM
- Dual FaceTime cameras

And really, that's about it. There are a ton of other rumors, but few seem credible at this point. I'd like to see pricing go down, but based on the sales last quarter, Apple has little reason to do that, which is a shame.

Sidekick is dead. Long live Sidekick! Of course, this time around, the new version will be based on Android.

Mary Jo Foley discusses the quiet release of Windows Embedded Compact 7, or what she calls Microsoft's 'other' tablet operating system. This OS reads a lot like what Microsoft is planning for Windows 8: It's componentized, runs on ARM, is aimed at mobile devices including phones, and utilizes a Silverlight-based development environment. Curious.

Sensing weakness in the Call of Duty franchise, perhaps, EA has its sights on the shooter market, CNET reports.Good luck: The best selling two shooters of all time are the last two versions of Call of Duty, respectively.

Don't be fooled by this re-posted baloney. Before every Windows release, crazy concept videos and "screenshots" appear purporting to show what's coming next. They're never real. Disappointing, sure. But true.

Microsoft has unveiled a contest in which it is asking developers to push the limits of a modern browser without the use of plug-ins. "We believe that HTML5 and related technologies, in conjunction with faster and faster browsers, finally give developers the tools they need to create experiences that are as vivid, interactive and compelling as anything you have seen in native applications," Microsoft's Carter Rabasa writes.

Discuss this Article 6

Mustang17
on Mar 3, 2011
I know the likes of the New York Times can hardly contain itself when Apple reveal a new product, but take a quick look at The Telegraph, a british quality newspaper postively wetting itself at the prospect of a new ipad.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/

An exercise in hype if ever I saw one.



pjsercel
on Mar 3, 2011
So Paul, Apple releases the iPad 2. It's 15 percent lighter. 33 percent thinner. Sports a 100 percent faster CPU and 900 percent faster graphics. Has twice the RAM (which is 33 percent faster). Offers dual cameras with the capability to record HD video and zero configuration videoconferencing via FaceTime. The entry price is 40 percent less than the XOOM with the comparable model still 10 percent cheaper. Your response, "Ho Hum". What would your attitude have been if the device was announced by Microsoft and called the ZunePad?
Mustang17
on Mar 3, 2011
Pjs, Microsoft would never be silly enough to use the name ZunePad. As for the Ipads abilities ,and features, most laptops leave it standing. Dual cameras? yeah they have been around for years, as has video conferencing, as has recording HD video. Its not news. I am not paying over £600 for one either.

All right the battery life is good, unless of course you compare that with a Kindle..

I love it when Apple plays catch up and all their fans think this new stuff is news!



daveinla
on Mar 4, 2011
I kind of dislikes these kind of self-accolades that the companies always give themselves (the #1 PC maker in the world, the #1 acclaimed GPU...), but if there is one that rightfully deserve the bragging right, it's APPLE. The have shaken the entire Computer/audio player/music/video industry and is an unavoidable heavy-weigh contender and reference in these markets...
Mustang17
on Mar 7, 2011
Trying to think of one Apple product in the big office where I work. ummm, er...

This office has architects and designers in it, nope.. Planning, nope. They do have few HTCs though.

Some of the individuals have iphones their own. Yes daveinla, thats something to brag about.



Mustang17
on Mar 8, 2011
Just a further thought DaveinLA, those markets you mentioned. Computer market, that would be 4% world wide. Audio player, thats a consumer device, dosent make a lot of money for the consumer, Video Industry, umm Flash? Have you used Apple's QuickTime on a PC? its unbelievably dated.

Dont want to get you down, but come on.





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