Microsoft Surface 

vs. iPad

Steve Ballmer, HIMSELF, said on stage: "We believe that any intersection between human and machine can be made better when all aspects of the experience — hardware and software — are considered and working together."

That's Apple's mantra, folks - and if Microsoft is following suit, then I wonder what's going to happen to the amazing Windows / PC ecosystem Microsoft fostered with independent companies from the beginning?

I've already gone on record stating that I'm very interested in learning more about the price, battery life, and general usability / experience with a Surface for Windows RT. There are a few commenters who have conveniently forgotten (or ignored) that flat fact.

Microsoft's Tablet PC wasn't ignored by the industry - we all knew about it. Still, the effort flopped due to cost and unwieldy usage issues. I'm guessing that most people who would rush to suggest (incorrectly) that Microsoft created the first Tablet computer never actually bothered to purchase a Tablet PC.

First never matters in a race that never ends - and you, the consumer, should wish for more competition (not less).

 

o

Apple faces ban on iPhone and iPad sales

A German court has issued an injunction that temporarily bans Apple Inc. from selling or marketing its mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads in Germany. But it’s unclear whether it will have an immediate effect on the company.

In a statement to the tech blog theverge.com, Apple said that the ruling, issued on Friday by a court in Mannheim, was simply a “procedural issue,” that “does not affect our ability to sell products or do business in Germany at this time.” The court made the default decision after Apple did not attempt to debunk Motorola's patent infringement claims.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Local and Apple’s internet store in Germany was still selling its products on Monday.

The ruling stems from a long-running patent dispute between Apple and Motorola over mobile technology. Apple has been aggressively defending its technology, even succeeding in having some competing Android devices temporarily banned in Germany earlier this year. Motorola is currently in the process of being purchased by Google, which makes the Android operating system.

But a ban in Germany, which is Europe’s biggest electronics market, could be devastating for the company, especially if it is accused of violating the ruling which could result in fines of €250,000 per violation.
It is not yet clear, however, whether the ruling applies directly to Apple Germany, which is a subsidiary of Apple Inc., and commentators were offering different viewpoints on its effect Monday.

Nilay Patel of theverge.com called it a “totally symbolic victory for Motorola” because the ruling doesn’t mention Apple Germany.

But intellectual property analyst Florian Mueller wrote on his blog FOSS Patents that the real question is whether the parent company would legally be able to provide product to its subsidiary. If deliveries are blocked, it could make it impossible for devices to be sold in Germany in any event.

The law firm Scherer & Körbes wrote on its blog that under the terms of the ruling supplies could “probably be prohibited.”

But Apple remains free to appeal to ruling.

  

 

 

 

o

A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work.

Technology codes our minds, changes our OS. Apple products have done this extensively. The video shows how magazines are now useless and impossible to understand, for digital natives. It shows real life clip of a 1-year old, growing among touch screens and print. And how the latter becomes irrelevant. Medium is message. Humble tribute to Steve Jobs, by the most important person : a baby.

 

o