Tech News: Microsoft Surface or iPad? ....details and specs

For those who like the click.

It's light, it's got style, it's loaded with Microsofts' newest OS Windows 8 RT.
But the one question remains. Is it better than the iPad?

Microsoft has clearly spent a lot of time making this thing look and feel just right. The device is fully developed by the Redmond, WA company. Hardware and software.

The Surface isn’t flashy—it’s less outwardly gorgeous than the new iPad—but it is delightfully functional. It’s got a kickstand built invisibly into the device, and, even better, Microsoft created an ingenious case that includes a “pressure sensitive” touch keyboard right inside the cover. Of all the attributes, the keyboard is is the Surface’s killer attraction. You likely have seen the commercials and the sudden "click" of the keyboard locking in witht he screen. Classy

So how do does the Surface compare to Apple’s latest iPad?

Well, for starters, there are two versions of the Surface, an Nvidia Tegra 3-powered model running Windows RT (available now) and a more business-friendly Intel Core i5-powered model running Windows 8 Pro (likely coming in January).

Some other points of difference include storage size: the Surface with Windows RT comes with 32GB of built-in storage, double the amount inside the entry-level iPad (16GB). Plus, the Surface includes a microSD Card slot for expansion, something the iPad doesn’t offer. The Windows 8 Pro additional will start with 64GB.

Another feature that’s unique to the Surface is its full-size USB port, which should accommodate all sorts of peripherals. You can plug in everything from USB drives and printers to cameras.
Both the fourth-generation iPad and the Surface with Windows RT cost $499. Pricing for the Surface running Windows 8 Pro has yet to be announced. Check out the chart below to get a closer look at the differences between these tablets.

Device	iPad (Forth Generation)	Surface (Windows RT)	Surface (Windows 8 Pro)
Price	$499	$499	TBA
CPU	Apple A6X dual-core	Nvidia Tegra 3	Intel Core i5
OS	iOS 6	Windows 8 RT	Windows 8 Pro
Display	9.7 inches (2048 x 1536)	10.6 inches (1366 x 768)	10.6 inches (1920 x 1080)
Size (inches)	9.5 x 7.31 x 0.37	.37 inches thick	.53 inches thick
Weight (pounds)	1.44	1.49	1.99
Storage (Built-In)	16GB, 32GB, 64GB	32GB, 64GB	64GB, 128GB
Ports	Lighting connector	microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MiMO Antenne	microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MiMO Antenae

Tech News: iPads handed out for Qantas in flight entertainment

If you are ever the one to rake up major flight miles flying to/from Australia on a weekly basis, and your tired of squinting to see the tiny LCD screen in front of you here's some great new for those long endurance boring flights.

Qantas Airlines now offers iPads not only to first class or business, but to all passengers flying the 767's in thier fleets. The rollout of the iPad program started last year with the removal of the in-flight headrest systems.


Why the switch to tablets? It has everything to do with weight. Typically an in flight LCD system weighs 3lbs verses the 1.5lb for the iPad. This is an tremendous amount of wieght reduction that the airlines seek to gain in fuel economy which on a typical 375-seat 767 could see the iPads pay for themselves within years, if not sooner.

American Airlines on the other hand, plans to deploy 6,000 Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices onboard select flights beginning later this year. The tablets will replace the airline's current personal entertainment device in the First Class premium cabins of the 767's flying transcontinental to and from Europe and South America served with 767-300 aircraft; and transcontinental flights departing from Boston to Los Angeles served with 757 aircraft.

More information can be found over at Engadget

Tech News: UK High Court rejects Apples claims against Samsung

The case is part of a bitter, worldwide intellectual war between Apple and Samsung, and the High Court in the UK has determined that, even though the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is "not as cool" as the iPad, the court saw in favor of Samsung.


“They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design,” Judge Colin Birss QC said. 








“From the front they belong to the family which includes the Apple design; but the Samsung products are very thin, almost insubstantial members of that family with unusual details on the back,” the judgment said.

This comes as a relief for Samsung which last month Apple files an preliminary injunction in a San Jose court. On 26 June 2012, Apple was granted a request for a preliminary injunction against the sale of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in United States by District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California.

This in effect prevents the sales of the Galaxy 10.1 tablet in the U.S until July 30th. That's when the CEO's of both companies will appear in court. The sales ban takes effect after Apple has paid a $2.6 million bond to protect against damages suffered by Samsung if the injunction is later found to have been wrong.

The UK High Court judgement can be read here.
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Patents/2012/1882.html