While you may be very excited about Mountain Lion and iOS 6, Apple isn’t the only company with interesting new products on the way. Microsoft is slated to release its long-awaited (and undeniably cool-looking) Windows 8 operating system for desktops later this year, with bona fide Surface tablets and a mobile release of Windows Phone 8 arriving shortly thereafter. So let’s take a look at what the competition is up to, and see where Apple could maybe learn a thing or two.
Microsoft is adding new features to its Xbox media center that will make the Xbox 360 gaming console a key player in living-room entertainment. First up is the new SmartGlass interconnectivity app, which will allow users to control content via their iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile devices. It’s like a combination of the Remote app for iOS that lets you control your Apple TV and iTunes, and the TiVO app that displays essential information about what you’re watching.
SmartGlass not only lets you use the touchscreen on your mobile device as the remote control, but it also helps you discover TV shows and movies that you might be interested in. The app will even display any bonus content that’s available for the program you’re viewing, as well as who is watching with you over Xbox Live, just in case you need a friend to get through the horrible, inconclusive ending of LOST.
Microsoft also announced that users will be able to talk to its Bing search engine via the Xbox console’s mic-equipped Kinect accessory to find out where a specific show is available for streaming, so you’ll know straight away whether you can find the Battlestar Galactica series on Hulu Plus or Netflix. There are a few new content partners coming on board the Xbox platform, too, such as Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount, and Univision, all of which will further bridge the gap for users who are still weighing the cost of cable versus streaming subscriptions. With on-demand access to their favorite programs from various media companies, picking a flick for movie night will be easier than ever.
While the Apple TV is a useful mediator for beaming entertainment from iTunes or an iPad to the television, it doesn’t offer enough options to be a content provider on its own. Microsoft has an edge by offering the Xbox 360 as a complete package for the living room--games, movies, television, music, and social networking--all from one remote (or in this case, controller).
The Touch Cover will feature multi-touch keys and can recognize its orientation.
The Touch Cover for Microsoft’s Surface tablet is right out of a science fiction movie. The cover will snap on to the Surface tablet via magnetic latches, similar to how Apple’s Smart Cover binds to the second- and third-generation iPad. The Touch Cover doesn’t include physical keys, but multi-touch sensors that offer immediate feedback without any delay. Surface goes into Standby when the cover is removed, and when it’s folded back the keyboard knows to turn off so you don’t accidentally type while holding it.
We weren’t too excited with Apple’s cover for the first iPad, and while the Smart Cover is innovative and cool looking, it doesn’t do much other than prop up the iPad. Since more and more iPad users are adopting the tablet for work, it would make sense for Apple to follow suit with its own keyboard cover. Though the iPad has third-party keyboard offerings available from companies like Logitech, it would be nice to see a standardized solution with Apple’s elegant touch.
The new Windows Phone 8 Start screen will feature resizable Live tiles and an infinite amount of customization.
Perhaps the most coveted feature of Windows Phone 8 is the new Start menu--Microsoft’s version of the Home screen. Users can arrange resizable “Live” tiles that show up-to-the-minute information on email, friends, social networks, the weather, traffic, and more.
Not only are the tiles highly customizable, they are also unlimited--users will be able create a grid of app icons as dense as the iPhone’s Home screen if they keep the tile sizes small. That means not having to use the Search button to find what should be immediately accessible information, and not worrying about whether or not you’ll have to ban a frequently used app to the second page because it didn’t fit. The ability to perfectly customize your phone’s screen with unlimited bits of information sounds like a luxury in the mobile world, but Microsoft has made it a reality. Instead of all phones appearing only slightly different, each will be infinitely customizable, with no two Start screens looking alike.
It’s clear that Apple won’t budge on this feature anytime soon, if ever. The iPhone’s Home screen will keep its 4x4 app grid, at least until its screen size gets larger. While Apple’s UI design has proven to be simple and effective, we wouldn’t mind the adoption of a “Live” tile here or there--something that provides quick-check information (like the current temperature) without having to drag down the Notifications panel or look for the prominent red badge.
Winski
July 19, 2012 at 1:06pm
So you said you were going to highlight some tips from Microshaft that Apple should listen to.... WHERE are they?? All I saw was Microshaft marketing slide talking points?? Did you use to work in Redmond??
Meh....
BryceBooth
July 19, 2012 at 1:15pm
Why is it that when people feel threatened, they resort to silly misspellings, name-calling? There is nothing wrong with being a loyal Mac user, it's the ignorant, childish comments that rob the platform of it's credibility.
chirpity
July 17, 2012 at 3:55pm
Everyone here should realize that computer and digital device interfaces in the future are all going to look like the game Battlezone from 1984. Vector graphics on a dark screen.
b9bot
July 14, 2012 at 1:10pm
Nobody has even seen or been able to touch this iPad copycat cover/supposed keyboard.
The Apple TV is just getting started. I have a feeling more content is on the way in a big way. But unlike Microsoft and Google, Apple doesn't rush these things. When they get more content they'll make sure it works right and you won't buy an Apple TV and watch the content get blocked because of Licensing issues like Google.
Microsoft and Google are still the copycats, Apple knows what it's doing and where it's going and doesn't need bad advise from either of those companies.
malber
July 20, 2012 at 10:34am
The Apple TV has been out since 2007. iTunes Store has been around since 2003. They've had plenty of time to forge partnerships with media creators and publishers. Unfortunately, with their single minded drive to be in complete control of the revenue stream and get the largest percentage of the profits, they've alienated the publishers and content creators. The biggest lesson they can learn from Microsoft is how to build and nurture those relationships. Alas, the company history has shown that their arrogance will prevent them from learning this lesson.
BryceBooth
July 14, 2012 at 2:07pm
No one has seen or touched the iPhone 5 (new iPhone?), but everyone is already declaring it the greatest thing ever. Apple is a great design and marketing company, but in reality, they too copy those who are successful. They never invented the phone, or tablet, streaming device, et al. Microsoft is by no means perfect either, but they are introducing something new, different for the consumer. In the fast-paced tech world, change and refinement are often required to compete with everyone else, unless you have Apple's legal team that is :p
Why does it matter who copies who? Choice is a good thing, it inspires companies to develop better, and more stable products, while keeping the competition honest in regards to gouging the consumer.
Winski
July 14, 2012 at 10:39am
Uhh, NO.
The answer is NOT the stupid keyboard... NO, the answer is NOT these stupid tiles. NO, the answer is NOT in a play tablet that WILL NEVER SEE THE MARKET PLACE.. NO, it's not reading your childish scribble that shows NO insight into what is driving the tablet market.. The answer is NOT coming from Redmond... Got it??
Take a step back.... See what's driving the market and wonder to yourself.... is the answer from Redmond??
NOT EVER AGAIN.....
BryceBooth
July 14, 2012 at 2:56am
It's funny, if Apple made these changes first, it would be considered revolutionary. The greatest thing ever, end of story. I have no issues with Apple's IOS products as they are well designed, however, I am not naive. Microsoft is willing to take the risks associated with pushing a consistent UI across all their platforms, while still maintaining their open platform. Good article Flo, and as a MaximumPC subscriber, thanks for the minimum bs article.
chirpity
July 17, 2012 at 3:50pm
"a consistent UI across all their platforms"
Uhh… that's because this is the first consistent UI they have had across all their platforms.
thumper
July 13, 2012 at 3:25pm
It might look nice and all, but have you ever considered the quality aspect of it all. Apple products, compared to Microsoft products. Apple will always win hands down.
MacMike
July 12, 2012 at 5:07am
Personally I think the whole "Live Tiles" thing is just butt ugly. The information displayed looks like a jumbled mess of various sized squares all trying to crowd each other, much like a busy advertisement page at the back of a magazine.
DJR12
July 16, 2012 at 5:49pm
Thank you. After all the fawning over those boring tiles, I was beginning to think I was the only one who thought that Microsoft, after years of chasing an Apple feeling with garish, ersatz imitations, has now done an about-face and managed to make simplicity look ugly too.
LillyPo
July 13, 2012 at 6:59am
I think the original live tiles that were just two columns were nice, but the new version does look awful.
BryceBooth
July 14, 2012 at 2:25pm
The tiles can be moved, as well as adjusted in size, and color. To each their own.
DS9SISKO
July 11, 2012 at 2:00pm
Due to my advanced age, time flies by so quickly! I had no idea it was April Fool's Day already! It's so AWESOME that I nearly busted a gut reading this fine piece of satire!
I'm almost certain that Apple has never once considered an integrated approach to its living room offerings, considering how the tv & movie studios, producers and networks have been resistant to Apple after seeing its dominance in the music industry. I'm sure they've just blown this entire idea off and are looking to cede the living room to Microsoft and all the other players in the market! Look! I heard they just fired Eddie Cue! Ha ha ha! Good one!
Then there is the belly laugher about the integrated keyboard in the smart cover gag!!! I say "gag" because...it's gotta be a gag, right? Microsoft never let a single journalist type on it, see how ergonomically sound it is or get to feel the experience for themselves so they could objectively review it. NOT a single one! They just showed it off, said it was the greatest thing since they discovered a great way to piss off their manufacturing hardware partners and let all the fawning tech writers ooh and ahh over the idea of it! I have to say, brilliant of Ms. Ion to hone in on this and say Apple should copy it! Maybe Apple should stop doing full on demos and letting reporters use their products at their product launches too! Whooo wee! That's rich!!
Finally, there is the biggest knee-slapper of them all: changing the UI! Although the iOS UI has done so poorly for Apple and not a single developer would have any issues with changing their apps for a new one, it's a rib-tickler of epic proportions! So much so, that even Ms. Ion "breaks the fourth wall" and says that Apple isn't going to change it soon...but is still smart enough to not let that get in the way of a good joke! Now someday, Apple is going to do something new with their UI and it will be a great day when it happens, but in the meantime we can enjoy this bit of science fiction comedy. Kind of like "Pluto Nash"!
Bravo! An excellent piece of satire! Well done! MacLife should run more humor pieces like this in the future!
