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Apple CEO Likens Microsoft Surface to a Flying Car

By - Source: Telegraph

Apple said to be preparing a new version of just-unveiled, yet-to-be-released iPad 4 due to Surface threat.

Despite every single Surface variant selling out during its pre-order stages in several regions including the U.S. and UK, Apple CEO Tim Cook has labelled the device as a "compromised" and "confusing product".

During Apple's third quarter earnings call, Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet. However, based on what he's heard about it, he's not too keen on the device.

"I haven't personally played with the Surface. But from what I've read it is a fairly compromised, confused device," he said.

Apple has made "hard trade-offs" in terms of designing products such as the iPad in order to ensure the user experience is "incredible," Cook added, implying Microsoft hasn't carried that out with its own tablet.

"I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well," he continued.

Despite Cook's dissatisfaction with Surface, it's said that Apple is purportedly preparing a slimmer and lighter version of the iPad 4 for a launch early next year due to the threat Microsoft's device poses.

Microsoft launched Surface worldwide on Friday, alongside its operating system Windows 8.

 

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There are 70 Comments. B
Top Comments
  • 48 Ð
    Kami3k , October 28, 2012 8:13 PM
    Uh, comparing something to a flying car only makes it more badass.

    Thanks Tim!
  • 40 Ð
    damianrobertjones , October 28, 2012 8:21 PM
    "Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet." - Then his opinion is like that of many people who comment on Windows 8/surface - Pointless.
  • 30 Ð
    techcurious , October 28, 2012 8:11 PM
    Quote:
    "I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well."

    I wonder if Tim said the same thing to Steve Jobs right before Steve took the stage to announce the very first iPhone that "(It) Is an iPod, a phone, and an internet browser!" I remember he kept saying that over and over again.. :p 
Other Comments
  • 30 Ð
    techcurious , October 28, 2012 8:11 PM
    Quote:
    "I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well."

    I wonder if Tim said the same thing to Steve Jobs right before Steve took the stage to announce the very first iPhone that "(It) Is an iPod, a phone, and an internet browser!" I remember he kept saying that over and over again.. :p 
  • 48 Ð
    Kami3k , October 28, 2012 8:13 PM
    Uh, comparing something to a flying car only makes it more badass.

    Thanks Tim!
  • 27 Ð
    Thomas_89 , October 28, 2012 8:15 PM
    Apple's CEO doesn't like Microsofts newest competing product. Surprise surprise..
    And what Kami3k says!
  • 40 Ð
    damianrobertjones , October 28, 2012 8:21 PM
    "Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet." - Then his opinion is like that of many people who comment on Windows 8/surface - Pointless.
  • 8 Ð
    anonymous@guest , October 28, 2012 8:31 PM
    Cue the infringement lawsuits in 3... 2...
  • 2 Ð
    anonymous@guest , October 28, 2012 8:31 PM
    i have update my win 7 cant complain now saveing to buy me a 23 multitouch screen to go with it and i will buy my wife awindows slate so she can use it to her work sence she is a teach and did not whant ipad for working
  • 27 Ð
    anonymous@guest , October 28, 2012 8:47 PM
    No first-hand experience = no valid opinion = total bias = bullshit.
  • 1 Ð
    anonymous@guest , October 28, 2012 8:48 PM
    Can't carry a tablet in my pocket. I'll take my Samsung phone and my trusty Dell D630. My d630 cost $200 refurbed. Parts are cheap. Runs W7. I'm a Systems Dude with (read em) 40 years experience. When they come up with a 3gz quad core 4GB 500GBSD 14" tablet that runs W8 for under $500 I'll buy one. Oh one more thing . A 14" screen means 14" not a 2" wide bezel. Looks like my next tablet will be a 5.5" Samsung phone.
  • 18 Ð
    anonymous@guest , October 28, 2012 8:56 PM
    comparing it to a car that drives, a plane that fly's, and a boat that goes in water! I F'n WANT this thing! hell to the yeah! man. Thanks for the heads up Timmy!
  • 16 Ð
    Vladislaus , October 28, 2012 8:57 PM
    chemblesDespite pre-orders, Tim Cook has a low opinion? THose things have very little to do with each other - Microsoft has a big following, so the preorders will sell out. Tim Cook has used one, and is unimpressed. Only the most tangential relationship.

    No, Tim Cook didn't use one.
  • 4 Ð
    Shin-san , October 28, 2012 8:59 PM
    Quote:
    "I haven't personally played with the Surface. But from what I've read it is a fairly compromised, confused device,"
    Wimp. I'm sure if you try the device, you won't go back. What are you afraid of?

    Also, there seems to be this habit now of Apple shooting the middle finger at everyone. I'm not sure if this will go well with geeks. They used to phrase everything in a positive voice. It's getting to where Steve Ballmer is talking more like Jobs than Cook. Jobs would have said something along the lines of "I understand where they are coming from. However, we took the time and effort to make sure we have something that the user would enjoy".
  • 21 Ð
    BigMack70 , October 28, 2012 9:23 PM
    Hey I heard Microsoft copied Apple's idea to use electricity to run a personal computing device... Apple has the rights to that so I dunno what M$ is thinking here...
  • 15 Ð
    house70 , October 28, 2012 9:24 PM
    We get it, Tim. Put some more Preparation H on that. It should go away in a few months.
  • 26 Ð
    sheepsnowadays , October 28, 2012 9:24 PM
    Yes this device is super confusing, I am an isheep and my IQ is only 91 so I can't figure out how work it. Do i touch the screen? Do I type on the keyboard? I am so confused
  • 20 Ð
    willard , October 28, 2012 9:29 PM
    Quote:
    "I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well," he continued.

    Really? Has he never heard of one of these?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaplane

    Carries people and cargo like a car. Check.
    Floats like a boat. Check.
    Flies like a plane. Check.
    Does all of these things well? Check.
  • 2 Ð
    ivanto , October 28, 2012 9:30 PM
    Time will settle and show us the winner. I eager to try Surface, hopefully BestBuy or Futureshop have it in stock today.
    -IvanTO
  • 20 Ð
    safcmanfr , October 28, 2012 9:45 PM
    Competitor CEO says a device is bad? Sounds like said competitor is worried......
  • 6 Ð
    keither5150 , October 28, 2012 9:52 PM
    I wasn't going to buy one until I heard the flying car comment. I am in.
    Silly Apple. They tried suing Samsung into the ground but only brought attention to Samsungs products.
    Apple would be well served to STFU about the competition especially if the competition beats the hell out of Apple's product. i.e. GS3, Surface. The Surface pro will be highly adopted by business as it is more than a toy. However it will also work well as a toy. Apple sounds worried and they should be.
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