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CNN Anchors Caught On Camera Using Microsoft Surface As an iPad Stand

Posted by samzenpus on from the not-meant-to-be-seen dept.

MojoKid writes Since the release of its Surface Pro 3 tablet, Microsoft has pushed their new slate hard. It's as if the company wanted it to overwrite that part of our memory that recalls the Surface RT and its monumental losses. This past August, we saw the company make a big move by deploying a boatload of Surface Pro tablets to every team in the NFL, gratis. All season so far, coaches and even players have made use of them to plan their next course-of-action, and for the most part, they seemed to be well-received. Unlike some of the products Microsoft tries to get us to adopt, the Surface Pro 3 really is a solid tablet / convertible. Unfortunately, at least where the CNN political team is concerned, Microsoft hasn't won over a few anchors, like they have in NFL, when they were supplied with brand-new Surface Pros. In recent shots captured and tweeted about, a Surface Pro 3 can be seen acting as an "iPad stand," and quite an expensive one. As humorous as this is, it might not seem that interesting if it were just one correspondent who pulled that stunt. Let's be honest, some people just like their iPads. That wasn't the case, though. There were at least two commentators using an iPad on the same set, despite having the Surface right in front of them and seemingly hiding it behind Microsoft's darling Windows 8 slate.

54 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. Gibson got it right... by Indiana+Joe · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the street does have its own uses for technology.

    --
    I can't decide if this post is interesting, funny, insightful, or flamebait.
    1. Re:Gibson got it right... by jeffmflanagan · · Score: 3, Informative

      CNN commentator labels iPad controversy 'false and idiotic', claims he was using both tablets

      http://www.windowscentral.com/...

    2. Re:Gibson got it right... by jon3k · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Because they have a paid advertising agreement with microsoft and microsoft is pissed and they're now in damage control mode

    3. Re:Gibson got it right... by sexconker · · Score: 2

      Because they have a paid advertising agreement with microsoft and microsoft is pissed and they're now in damage control mode

      Yup. I was particularly amused that their giant touch screen had 2 prominent Microsoft logos - one on the bezel of the screen and one on the giant stand it was on.
      CNN has an advertising deal with MS to prominently display and use their products. That's fine - their giant touch screen works, the Surface is a great device, and they're actually using these things in ways that make sense. It's far better product placement than the fucking shit MS and Ford shove into sitcoms.

      The problem comes about when you let stubborn anchors use their iPads (because they refuse to try/learn anything else) on a 24/7 live feed. There's no fucking way that the iPads are going to remain hidden, and trying to hide them only makes it more glaring once their seen since the Surfaces are featured so prominently.

      If you made an agreement with MS to exclusively feature their products, don't let your anchors take iPads with them when they sit in front of the camera.
      If you have anchors who don't know how to use a Surface, show them how before they're about to go on air with their iPad.
      If you have irreplaceable anchors who absolutely refuse to switch to a Surface, don't agree to such terms with MS.

      CNN clowning around, as usual.

    4. Re:Gibson got it right... by xevioso · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you have anchors using items with prominent logos, you aren't doing the news, you are doing advertising. Get out of the news business and become an advertiser. I go to watch the news to find out whats going on in the world, not to find out whats going on in the world while being subjected to branding. That's called shilling, and people wonder why the media is trusted less these days.

    5. Re:Gibson got it right... by sexconker · · Score: 2

      If you have anchors using items with prominent logos, you aren't doing the news, you are doing advertising. Get out of the news business and become an advertiser. I go to watch the news to find out whats going on in the world, not to find out whats going on in the world while being subjected to branding. That's called shilling, and people wonder why the media is trusted less these days.

      You're basically asking CNN to go off the air. I'd love it, too, but I know it's not going to happen.

    6. Re:Gibson got it right... by bickerdyke · · Score: 2

      I rather think the lesson should be that you need to give your employees the tools they need for their work (or the ones they work with best) - which for some reason for these channel employees were not the surfaces.

      --
      bickerdyke
    7. Re:Gibson got it right... by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      That's called shilling, and people wonder why the media is trusted less these days.

      Some of us might argue that CNN got out of the news business after the first Gulf War.

      They've spent a very large amount of time being a completely partisan agency, shilling for certain positions, and being uncritical cheerleaders of bad government policy. To the point that they made sure any body they had as a guest giving the "counter point" was the least credible person they could find, and that they were presented as such.

      When Bush the second went into Iraq in 2003, CNN was first in line to say "rah rah rah" and accept the terrible evidence at face value. They spent the next bunch of years defending it, and then switched to blaming Obama for it.

      Many of us haven't seen CNN as a credible, objective news agency in a very long time. Because, well, they're not.

      They may be trying to reverse that, or at least the glaring perception of it ... but CNN is a mouthpiece for what Ted Turner wants broadcast.

      It's way too late to lament that CNN are a bunch of partisan shills. That's been self evident for over a decade.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    8. Re:Gibson got it right... by houghi · · Score: 2

      These days? Ever heard of the Camel News Caravan. That was 1949.

      The only reason these shows* exist (be they news or a soap opera) is to sell advertisement.

      As always : We are the product.

      * Obviously this is valid mainly for commercial tv channels, although now even 'non-commerical' tv channels tend to look for advertisement and product placement. (Looking at you, Belgian VRT)

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  2. Re:Could have been worse by Isca · · Score: 2, Insightful

    At least they would have been using a core functionality. The surface pro is one of the better devices to come out of redmond. It hands down beats the Ipad in lots of areas except for the apps. But the Apps are what people want, and they certainly don't want to give up the interface they are used to.

  3. What's Their Usual Workflow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If someone is used to finding information to do their job on one device (iPad), it can really obstruct their workflow to insist that they find their info on a completely different device (Surface) with a substantial learning curve and different apps, especially when under the extra pressure of being on camera. It's kind of like putting a NASCAR driver in a completely different car than he expects on race day with no warning.

    1. Re:What's Their Usual Workflow? by MouseR · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or ask said Nascar driver to make a right turn.

  4. Hey, MS, give them to people who will use them! by chrish · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'd happily give a Surface Pro 3 a try if you want to send one my way.

    I was considering buying a Surface (some previous-gen ones were on sale for a reasonable price), but was driven away by the extra $$$ for the keyboard/case and the lack of decent apps in the Windows 8 store... there's a whole lot of crap there, and not a lot of things I'd like to use.

    --
    - chrish
    1. Re:Hey, MS, give them to people who will use them! by 0123456 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah, because I totally want to be creating Excel spreadsheets on a tablet.

      Being able to run Windows apps is irrelevant if they can't be used effectively without a keyboard and mouse.

      Besides which, you can buy an entire Android tablet for less than the cost of the keyboard alone.

    2. Re:Hey, MS, give them to people who will use them! by ProzacPatient · · Score: 2

      and has a 12 inch screen.

      To be fair my Galaxy Note Pro is a 12.2 inch screen. I like it, I can handwrite with it and it does what I need but I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in the Surface Pro 3 but given the outrageous price tag and with Windows 10 so close I think I'm going to hold off until Windows 10 gets closer to release to see what Microsoft does in respect to the Surface to see if the existing Surfaces get a Windows 10 upgrade or if there will be a Surface 4 Pro (Osborne effect anyone?).

      The main attraction for the Surface for me is being able to run all my favorite x86 applications on a tablet. Many people complain about Windows 8 not having many apps but there are a ton of Windows applications going back to the early 90's and I've tried the Surface in the store and I don't think that desktop applications are hard to use on the Surface at all. Also by this point I've gotten used to Windows 8 (good thing everyone else hates it because I've been able to get a handful of licenses for cheap) and I like the fact that all my preferences, start screen layout and Metro apps can be synced across all my computers as well as the Surface.

      That's just my two cents.

    3. Re:Hey, MS, give them to people who will use them! by Dewser · · Score: 3, Interesting

      My wife decided to try out a Pro 2 last year and it just lacked a lot. The Pro 3s have been getting much better reviews and I would say the hardware is certainly much nicer. But like many of you have commented on... The price is still a big negative for me. Sure their intro level 65GB i3 Surface Pro 3 is 799, but that is all you get. That does not even include their crappy keyboard/cover. For the Pro/RT/Pro 2s you had 2 options of keyboards, the Type Cover and Touch Cover. The Touch was the crappy no click keyboard and the type was an actual keyboard. But the prices were just ridiculous. Currently 119.99 for Touch and 129.99 for Type. Thankfully they have removed the Touch option for the Pro 3 but still leave you with a 130 dollar keyboard. They market the Pro 3 as a Macbook Air competitor, mainly boasting about Windows apps, removable keyboard, and touch screen. But here is what you get for a 799 Pro 3:

      64GB i3 1.5GHz
      4GB of Memory (64GB/128GB models)
      up to 9 hours battery life (WOW That is great! Oh wait... fine print... ) For Web Browsing :( so basically anything more than that you will be lucky to get 4 hours.
      Oh yeah no keyboard included in this... but we have a nice pen.
      oh and Windows 8.1 of course (psst this runs better on a Mac)

      Now what do you get with a base model Macbook Air for $899:
      128GB storage 1.4GHz i5
      4-8GB memory (for either model)
      They say similar 9 hours of wireless Web, but I've multi-tasked and got some good life out of a single charge.
      Keyboard included! Yep, you get that with the Air, no extra fee for it.
      It has enough power to run Windows in a virtual machine or bootcamped. It will only cost me a license for Windows (or not depending on your resources).
      The Mac touchpad and magic mouse work very good in Windows 8.1 so it is like a touch screen without all the finger prints.

      Now if someone gave me a surface, I would certainly use it, but at this time I would not drop the almost $2K to replace my fully functioning Desktop or laptop. I just recently picked up a nice HP Probook 430 and after maxing the the RAM to 16GB it handles all my VMs nicely. My wife now has all my Mac stuff.

      MS is on the right track, but they need better price points and marketing strategies, oh and to fricking throw in the keyboard! It is better to compare it to an Air but it is still Apples to Oranges as far as the tech goes. And you can't compare to an iPad either because again they are really not the same type of device. Then again with a nice BT keyboard and case, my wife uses her iPad Air like a laptop and only takes the MBP out when she needs to do something that requires a bit more heavy lifting.

      --
      Dewser - all around techy "In the immortal words of Socrates - 'I drank what?'"
    4. Re:Hey, MS, give them to people who will use them! by 0123456 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So is it a bad laptop or a bad tablet?

      Microsoft gives you the worst of both worlds: a tablet that has hardly any apps, which, once you attach the keyboard, becomes an expensive, not very ergonomic laptop.

  5. Re:Could have been worse by spire3661 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They are NOT comparable devices. Surface Pro addresses an ENTIRELY different segment of users and is an entirely different class of machine (can run arbitrary code)

    --
    Good-bye
  6. Microsoft can't win by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They put full Windows OS in their tablet, it's not as easy to use as an iPad.

    They put a tablet OS in their tablet, it doesn't have full Windows functionality.

  7. Rebrand old Windows RT devices as iPod Stands by jfdavis668 · · Score: 5, Funny

    That is one way that Microsoft can make some money from them. As seen on CNN...

    1. Re:Rebrand old Windows RT devices as iPod Stands by MiniMike · · Score: 2, Funny

      And if they slip, will they be the first Microsoft product to make an iPod crash?

  8. Yesbut does it run Linux by serviscope_minor · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yesbut does it run Linux.

    That's not a glib comment. I mean it. In the thin, light (and good performance), the Surface Pro looks like a really, really nice machine.

    It's as fast as the best Mac Air/Ultrabook. It's also the lightest in the category, falling under 1kg including the keyboard (I think even giving my venerable eee 900 a run for it's money). Not sure if the keyboard is good enough though. Other nice thing is it has a stylus. I don't really care for touch screens on a laptop at all (completely useless as far as I care). A stylus on the other hand makes a world of different when you bring out the GIMP (or inkscape). This is something I do actually do from time to time.

    Can't stand Windows, as it happens (or OSX), so the question for me is whether it runs Linux. If it does, it will probably be my next laptop.

    Funny thing, the only thing I've ever liked about Micros~1 (see I didn't go for M$) is the hardware. I used their keyboards and mice for years.

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
    1. Re:Yesbut does it run Linux by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      The big problem with today's mobile devices, is that they are so locked down that it is nearly impossible (Sure it can be done, but it is tough) to install a new OS on it, or worse have backup media to restore it back to factory condition if you happened to prefer Windows over Linux for tablet usage.
      Unlike a PC where you plug in a USB Stick or a CD/DVD if you sill have one of those and when it is booting you can hit Esc, F1, F2, Del.... Whatever to bring you into the BIOS and say boot from this drive instead, you will need to find an alternative way of fighting the OS security to get a new OS on.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  9. Re:Could have been worse by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The surface pro is one of the better devices to come out of redmond. It hands down beats the Ipad in lots of areas except for the apps.

    and the sales.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  10. Re:Could have been worse by ericloewe · · Score: 3, Insightful

    iOS does not have a wider variety of applications than Windows.

    The vast majority of Win32 applications that runs on the Surface Pro is much larger than iOS's app store selection.

  11. Re:Could have been worse by Isca · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The vast amount of apps out there are not tablet optimized however, and the majority would actually be hard to use without a keyboard and mouse.

  12. And they say.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft doesn't support Apple products..

  13. Re:nfl forced to use surface by nabsltd · · Score: 5, Informative

    Given a choice, they'd still be using iPads.

    This is the first season that any electronic device could be used by coaches and players during an NFL game. They weren't using iPads before...they were using steno pads.

  14. Re:Could have been worse by wed128 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    technically, the iPad can run arbitrary code. they are both computers, and Turing complete even!

  15. Re:Could have been worse by Ed+Avis · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In terms of sheer numbers, I'd guess you are right: more Win32 applications have been written since 1995 or so than there are apps for iOS. Especially if you include in-house software.

    In terms of applications to do something most people want to do, which is a subjective measure I admit, iOS may have the lead. Particularly so if you look for software that's optimized for tablet use: there are a lot of very capable Windows programs which are rather less usable on a tablet than with a physical keyboard and mouse, whereas iOS apps are all designed around touchscreen use.

    For example, I've been looking for a map program (similar to Google Maps) that runs on a handheld Windows 7 PC with attached GPS. It's surprising how few choices there are that do the basic function of showing your GPS position on a map, and aren't some crusty thing last updated in 2004. True, if I included Windows 8 "Metro" apps there would be a wider choice, but still it is dwarfed by what you get on Android or iOS. (FTR - in the end I went with Anquet Maps for hiking maps and Mapfactor PC-Navigator for city use.)

    --
    -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
  16. Re:Still not very interesting? by amiga3D · · Score: 2

    It's fucking hilarious.

  17. Re:Could have been worse by nine-times · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It hands down beats the Ipad in lots of areas except for the apps.

    I think this sort of thinking misses what has made Apple successful over the years. Techies keep worrying about whether a device beats another in terms of functionality, and meanwhile Apple focuses on usability. Yes, having a full desktop OS running on a tablet allows you to do more, but Windows 8 is a mess of an OS. Yes, Windows 8.1 improves the mess a bit, but it's still a mess.

    At least, that's been my experience. Using Windows 8 on a desktop, I'm thinking, "Well it would be pretty good if they got rid of all this touch-interface crap. It's confusing and useless." Using Windows 8 on a tablet, I'm thinking, "The tablet UI could use a little work because it's a little too confusing. It's great that I can run desktop stuff, but for that stuff, I'd probably be better off with a laptop." Using an iPad? I'm probably not thinking much about the features and interface, because it's pretty clear what the device is, what it does, and how to use it.

  18. Re:Could have been worse by Wootery · · Score: 3, Informative

    Continuing the Slashdot obtuseness: an iPad will run arbitrary (user-supplied, not-Apple-approved) JavaScript without issue.

  19. Re:This is news worthy? by amiga3D · · Score: 2

    It's the humor. You don't see the humor in a hideously expensive tablet computer by Microsoft being used as a stand for an Apple iPad? Turn in your geek badge right now.

  20. Re:I have an idea by DougOtto · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Just because you value a SD slot more than life itself doesn't mean that everyone else does. I use three or four different platforms every day. Never once have I caught myself saying: "damnit, if only I had a SD card slot!"

    Physical media is a pain in the ass.

    --
    Solving Unix problems since 1989...
  21. Re:Could have been worse by hjf · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Objection! Speculative.

  22. It's real easy... by tibit · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You can't make people use a device by edict. Just because a sports team, a league, or a broadcaster has signed some contracts, it doesn't magically make their users productive on another device. Microsoft dropped the ball by not providing decent applications for their own platform themselves. They supposedly know how to write software, yet they steadfastly refuse to write apps for their mobile platforms that are good enough to make people switch. All it'd take is good apps, nothing more, nothing less.

    --
    A successful API design takes a mixture of software design and pedagogy.
    1. Re:It's real easy... by tibit · · Score: 2

      It doesn't matter what the anchors were doing, why would it matter if they were productive or not? People use things that are useful to them, whether for work or recreation. A piece of computing hardware is useless without good software for it. Conversely, some piss-poor hardware can be useful when given good enough software. Old Apple hardware still sells for "outrageous" amounts of money, because people like the experience of using an Apple-built environment, and the applications that run in it. For the same price they could get a much more powerful new PC.

      Call me an Apple fanboy all you want, but OS X is still, as far as I'm concerned, the only sane Unix environment for desktop use. Heck, for many, many Intel desktop applications that don't use hacks, it still offers a wonderful level of backwards-compatibility. Sane Intel or universal binary software from the days of 10.5 still works in 10.10. Without recompilation of any sort. This mostly can't be said of Linux, unfortunately :(

      --
      A successful API design takes a mixture of software design and pedagogy.
  23. Probabaly cheaper than OEM by Overzeetop · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think the Surfaces will be less expensive than most of the Apple branded and MFI certified components.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  24. Missing the point by loftarasa · · Score: 2

    The people ITT comparing the Surface Pro 3 to an iPad have got it completely wrong. The Surface competes against the Air, as a lightweight, full blown computer. The fact that it can detatch its keyboard and work with touch-only is an extra, but it is not how Surface owners spend the majority of their time.

  25. Re:Could have been worse by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 2

    I strenuously object! I don't want to have to do the research! /s

  26. Re:Could have been worse by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Except it's close to 2X the price of the ipad. That tends to blow it up hard.

    And honestly the Surface is not the only game in town, Fujitsu Stylistic has a better build quality and honestly is a far more mature tablet PC platform.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  27. Re:I have an idea by jfbilodeau · · Score: 2

    IQ test != IT savviness

    Most people probably have no idea what a MicroSD and would probably want to steer clear of it. (A micro sexual disease??? Is that like Ebola???)

    --
    Goodbye Slashdot. You've changed.
  28. Re:Ha Ha Ha humorous by Russ1642 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The summary isn't even correct. The Surfaces were there for advertising only. Sure the hosts had a choice to use whatever they wanted but the Microsoft product had to be on display. The real screwup was by the advertising managers who agreed to the deal.

  29. This baffles me... by TheBilgeRat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Off topic: I cannot imagine for one second that Ubuntu through whatever hack is required to run natively on a macbook is a better user experience than OSX itself. I get a lot of the legitimate mac bashing that goes on (expensive hardware, elitist culture, etc etc) but the OSX gripes baffle me.

    I'm typing this on an early 2009 macbook my alma mater handed me freshman year. It started with Leopard and is now running Yosemite. It has a unix shell, it has vim, it has a compile toolchain (clang via xcode and gcc via homebrew), it has git...it even has x11. OSX is unix, and a darn good one. Not only that it came preloaded to edit your gnar vids from your snowboard go pro.

    Back on topic, the Surface Pro 3 is a great little machine. Got one for my daughter for her graduation present, as she didn't want to learn mac or droid and wanted something to replace her aging laptop. She takes notes with the pen in her own handwriting. The keyboard/cover/thing is actually a decent keyboard - the trackpad on it is kind of meh, however. I just wish the price points were a little lower, but that's just cos I'm a cheapskate.

    1. Re:This baffles me... by bazmonkey · · Score: 4, Informative

      I agree entirely. For me it was the power management: native Linux just doesn't come close to OS X's performance. We're talking a nearly 50% hit.

      I enjoy OS X just fine, but between work and tinkering, I still need to be on Linux quite a bit. I have found a Linux VM inside OS X to be the most pleasant Linux experience on a Mac I've ever had. Free of driver hassle, OS X goodies are just a swipe away, and I still see much of the battery life that drew me to a Macbook in the first place.

      Assuming the Surface Pro 3 could handle the VM (I have no idea), I would be all over that if I was in the market again.

  30. Re:Could have been worse by TWX · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As JavaScript engine efficiency improves, the gap between what you can accomplish with a native app and a JavaScript app narrows, and as CPU performance continues to improve, what you can accomplish with JavaScript increases.

    I've heard that argument since the late nineties. I'm still not buying it.

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  31. "The Surface Pro is a stable platform" by tlambert · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the street does have its own uses for technology.

    "The Surface Pro is a stable platform on which I rest my iPad"

    1. Re:"The Surface Pro is a stable platform" by Nikker · · Score: 3, Funny

      You mean: "The Surface Pro is a stable platform with industry leading device interoperability!"

      --
      A loop, by its nature, continues. If that didn't make sense, start reading this sentence again.
    2. Re:"The Surface Pro is a stable platform" by BillX · · Score: 2

      And excellent 3rd-party hardware support.

      --
      Caveat Emptor is not a business model.
  32. Dual Use by SuperKendall · · Score: 4, Funny

    claims he was using both tablets

    Of course he didn't just use it to hold up an iPad!

    Later on he put down the stand and put a cup of coffee on it too. Totally no rings on the table.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  33. It's all in the name by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you don't want people putting other things over your product, don't name it Surface.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  34. Re:Could have been worse by sexconker · · Score: 2

    The vast amount of apps out there are not tablet optimized however, and the majority would actually be hard to use without a keyboard and mouse.

    The vast amount of "apps" on the iPad would be vastly improved with keyboard and mouse.
    The Surface has a great keyboard accessory. You can buy one without it, but it's really a core feature of the device.
    It also supports wireless mice.
    You can also use a real keyboard and a real mouse.

    Even ignoring that, the programs available for the Windows platform that work great with only the touch screen still VASTLY outnumber the "apps" available for the iPad that work great with only the touch screen.

  35. Re:I have an idea by phantomfive · · Score: 2

    You know what I'd like to see? An IQ test of anyone who uses Apple products all the time and an IQ test of people who use anything else. Because an intelligent person would use both and really before even powering it on, the micro SD slot would make it a clear winner.

    Maybe different people have different preferences. I don't care about the micro SD slot at all, but I do care that the iPad is not open. I care enough about that to only use a computer than runs on a Forth machine if I need to.

    So once again, different people care about different things. To some, the micro SD slot doesn't matter.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."