It’s no secret – the newspaper industry is facing some pretty tough times. Print subscription volumes have been slowly declining year over year, and with it follow print advertising revenues. While many of them have made the transition to online versions and subscription models, they’re still finding difficulty making the it work. Moreover, the online experience has a number of shortcomings compared to its print sibling; desktop news sites ... Read More]]>

It’s no secret – the newspaper industry is facing some pretty tough times. Print subscription volumes have been slowly declining year over year, and with it follow print advertising revenues. While many of them have made the transition to online versions and subscription models, they’re still finding difficulty making the it work. Moreover, the online experience has a number of shortcomings compared to its print sibling; desktop news sites have far too many banner ads for my taste (or stuck behind the much accursed pay walls), while mobile versions tend to strip away the photos and graphics that make news reading easy to digest. Even more annoying is the ultra-focused nature of a web experience, driving visitors to read only editor-curated stories rather than allowing readers to browse and discover the stories that matter to them most. With these web deficiencies in mind, PressReader bridges the gap between traditional print and digital newspapers, and does it with the style and flare that you would expect in an iOS app.

In case it’s not obvious, PressReader is a news reader app on the iPad and iPhone (as well as Android devices, Blackberry Playbook and Windows Phone and Windows 7 devices) from PressDisplay.com. In such a saturated space already dominated by the likes of Rupert Murdoch’s The Daily as well as dedicated apps from local news sources like the CBC, National Post and The Globe and Mail, PressReader stands out by simply going back to basics. Unlike all the other apps I’ve already mentioned, PressReader doesn’t try to adapt a print medium for a tablet and fill it with rich media and scrolling newstickers, it simply puts the print version on the tablet. Verbatim and formatted exactly like the print version you would get at the newsstands. Including the full page print ads and classifieds. You can flip through each page either in single-page, or double-page views in full colour, as well as pinch and zoom if you want to read something in greater detail. It’s a bold move and one that I appreciate.

Reading in the traditional newsprint layout format not your cup of tea though? PressReader fully embraces the modern digital reader with a slew of features for everyone. There’s the Smart Flow UI that is akin to Flipboard that allows you to flip through articles one at a time, allowing you to expand to read the full story. There’s also a Listen feature that reads the article back to you in a synthesized voice. Want a wide range of perspectives on an issue? Not a problem. The app features a search function that lets users look up various topics and keywords across selected newspapers, or across their entire library. Lastly, the app comes with the usual retinue of social media sharing options (Twitter, Facebook, email, as well as a Reddit-like voting mechanism) as well as AirPrint and Copy-Paste support, making it a very modern iOS app.

What really stood out for me was their vast selection of newspapers from around the world. PressReader boasts over 280 newspapers from Canada alone, including the national prints such as National Post, The Globe and Mail (including regional editions), as well as local papers like The Edmonton Journal, Ottawa Citizen, Vancouver Sun, Le Soleil, 24 Hours (all the regional editions) and the Toronto Star. Internationally, they have over 300 US papers, over 150 UK papers, as well as regional papers from China, Japan, Slovenia, Russia, Paraguay and even Haiti. Because of its unique way of presenting the news, the app can display newspapers written in its native tongue. While not all the features are available for all languages (Smart Flow and Listen are for English papers at the moment) and not all papers are represented (New York Times and Wall Street Journal are missing), the depth of international content still makes PressReader a truly world class app.

Such richness in features shouldn’t be free, but PressReader isn’t an expensive service either. They offer two plans – one for the casual reader at $0.99 per issue, and another for the serious news junkie at $29.95 per month. The monthly subscription allows for an unlimited number of downloads per month, and is a no-brainer for individuals who subscribe to multiple papers or lack access to international content. Users can set up subscriptions and notifications are sent to the iPad whenever new editions are available. One thing that I’d like to see is the edition being downloaded automatically overnight a la WhisperSync, but I’m sure this is already in the works.

It’s apparent that the folks at PressDisplay have really thought through the news reading experience and have created an app that caters to a wide variety of individuals without making compromises. PressReader will definitely appeal to those who are always on the go, love to catch up on the news, but isn’t always connected (say on the subway here in Toronto). Sounds like most iPad users I know…

I know I loved PressReader, but we’d love to hear what you think. Let us know in the comments below.

PressReader [Free + Subscription, iTunes Store], PressDisplay.com

Skitch was recently acquired by Evernote, and afterwards the simplistic and easy to use photo editing app became free in the Mac App Store. Now, the company has released their iPad version of this app, which is a must download for those looking to edit photos easily. Cool features include sharing right to Evernote and also AirPlay capabilities.

iTunes description:

Express yourself with fewer words, emails and meetings…with Skitch for ... Read More]]>

Skitch was recently acquired by Evernote, and afterwards the simplistic and easy to use photo editing app became free in the Mac App Store. Now, the company has released their iPad version of this app, which is a must download for those looking to edit photos easily. Cool features include sharing right to Evernote and also AirPlay capabilities.

iTunes description:

Express yourself with fewer words, emails and meetings…with Skitch for iPad!

Use shapes, arrows, sketches and text annotation to get your point across fast. Mark up photos, screenshots, maps, and webpages then share them with anyone you like.

Skitch lets you:
- Annotate: Add arrows, shapes and text to existing images
- Create: Draw something new
- Edit: Reposition, recolor and remove your annotations at will
- Share: Send your sketches and annotations over Twitter and email
- Present: Show your work in real time via AirPlay on Apple TV
- Remember: Save everything to Evernote for later

Use Skitch to:
- Sketch and share
- Point out objects and locations in a photo
- Brainstorm design ideas with your team
- Identify a point of interest on a map
- Annotate a screenshot of your awesome high score
- Have fun!

Skitch is part of the Evernote family of apps designed to help you remember everything.

The Evernote team noted Skitch for iPhone is ‘in the works’ and coming soon, but they wanted to release the iPad version first. Stay tuned!

Click here to download Skitch for iPad-it’s free.

Oh, the BBC. Depending on your age and how you grew up, it can mean one of many different things. For some, it means Coronation Street and Little Britain, and for others, it means Doctor Who or Red Dwarf. And yet, for some, it means Top Gear and the Grand Prix. Surprisingly, the BBC has done what few other broadcasters have done – be something for everyone. With this ... Read More]]>

Oh, the BBC. Depending on your age and how you grew up, it can mean one of many different things. For some, it means Coronation Street and Little Britain, and for others, it means Doctor Who or Red Dwarf. And yet, for some, it means Top Gear and the Grand Prix. Surprisingly, the BBC has done what few other broadcasters have done – be something for everyone. With this in mind, and with whatever the BBC means to you, there really should be something you’ll like in the BBC iPlayer that was launched last week.

Similar to the original iPlayer app that was originally launched in the UK, the BBC Canada version of the iPlayer sounds pretty much the same as Canadian (think CBC and Global TV) apps offer. Shows can be either streamed or downloaded directly to your iPad for offline viewing, and AirPlay is supported. However, this is where the similarities end.

Unlike native Canadian apps where recently aired episodes are available, the iPlayer draws from its vast video collection across various genres, hits and eras. What you end up with is a proverbial mishmash of shows that exemplifies BBC as one of the oldest and most renowned broadcasters in the world. Where else can you find vintage Doctor Who episodes side by side with Michael Palin documentaries and early Hugh Laurie sketch shows? (Netflix comes close, but more on that later.)

Unfortunately, this approach has its significant drawbacks. If you’re expecting the latest and greatest episodes and series, then you would be sorely out of luck. The latest series I recognize in the collection was a series on the Royal Wedding from earlier in the year. However, if you’re looking for the latest Doctor Who or Coronation Street, you’re better off waiting for them to air on CBC or Space.

There are a few other roadblocks from making the app one of my favourite streaming services. Firstly, the price. Yes. Unlike, say, the CBC or Global app, the iPlayer is a subscription service at $8.99 per month (with a discount on an annual subscription). On par with Netflix, it’s certainly not exorbitant, but it definitely isn’t free. The second is selection. The app offers a pretty good selection of shows, but it’s not the complete BBC library, and it easily falls short of Netflix’s thousands of titles. (And yes, there are definitely a few overlaps between the two.) The app also doesn’t offer live streaming, which is a significant drawback.

Lastly, there’s the actual app interface. As an iPad only app that was already released overseas, I was expecting a fully polished user experience. They were close, but it’s not perfect. Oftentimes, the show or series title got truncated, effectively forcing me to wonder which season of a specific show I clicked on. Also, AirPlay compatibility isn’t complete. Between various sittings, I wasn’t able to get AirPlay to activate consistently.

I’m disappointed to say that my initial experience with the iPlayer left me somewhat disheartened. There’s a lot of potential in the iPlayer, but it’s diminished either by design or by copyright. The video collection could be better suited for North American consumption, but it’s sufficient for an initial release. At its current price and noticeable overlap in available shows, I still feel that Netflix is a better choice for most people. However, if you’re looking for those obscure or vintage BBC shows, then it may be worthwhile to subscribe monthly and cancel when you’ve had your fill.

Let us know what you think of the iPlayer. Love it or hate it? Leave a note in the comments below.

As reported here several weeks ago, Apple released the Apple Store app here in Canada, and with it, came a number of interesting features for retail store visitors. Apple Store visitors would be able to queue up for personal service and even sign up for workshops or One on One sessions. Sounds great, no?

The benefits for Apple are great too. Not only would Apple be able to offer better ... Read More]]>

As reported here several weeks ago, Apple released the Apple Store app here in Canada, and with it, came a number of interesting features for retail store visitors. Apple Store visitors would be able to queue up for personal service and even sign up for workshops or One on One sessions. Sounds great, no?

The benefits for Apple are great too. Not only would Apple be able to offer better retail service, but Apple would theoretically also be able to track store sales and evaluate individual staff performance. Needless to say, digitizing and tracking the entire retail experience would certainly give Apple an edge over their retail competitors and continue to put Apple as the dominant leader in the retail space for a few more years.

Theory is one thing, but the practice isn’t anywhere as clean cut. I recently went to my local Apple store to pick out a new iPhone, and decided to fire up the app and see how it worked. Logged on to the Apple Store wifi network and signed put myself in line for service. 5 min passed, then 10, and only then did I realize that while I was waiting, the network kicked me out and I had to sign in again and wait another 15 min. During that time, it didn’t appear that my place in line has changed or that anyone else has queued up behind me. In fact, the entire experience was simply frustrating.

I ended up getting into the back of the [holiday] Express Service line and picked up my phone that way. The entire experience with the app took about 45 min. I stood in the express line for 5.

On the other hand, the app ties in pretty well with the Apple online store. The app offers something similar to Amazon’s One-Click mechanism which ties in to your Apple ID. Buying an Apple product through the app is almost too easy (and dangerously so). Furthermore, the app also serves up shipping and tracking information for any purchases made online and through the app, so you can track all those Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases you made. In this case, the app does pretty well.

So what went wrong here? Did Apple’s attempt to streamline and digitize an inherently human system? Or is the system just too new and the staff too inexperienced to make use of it? Or maybe the app is still too much in its infancy and adoption is still too low?

In this case, it’s probably all three of these, and maybe more. The Apple Store app is definitely a great idea and definitely worth trying. Hopefully, my app experience is isolated only to myself. Let us know if you’ve had similar experiences in retail or online. Be interested to see what you guys out there think too.

In spite of the iOS 5 battery issues Apple announced last week, there’s still plenty to love about the latest and greatest iOS, one of which is the iCloud. Managing iCloud, however, can be a bit daunting given the scale with which iCloud backs up and syncs your information. No fear, though, here’s a quick walk-through of some of the important bits and pieces to get the most out ... Read More]]>

In spite of the iOS 5 battery issues Apple announced last week, there’s still plenty to love about the latest and greatest iOS, one of which is the iCloud. Managing iCloud, however, can be a bit daunting given the scale with which iCloud backs up and syncs your information. No fear, though, here’s a quick walk-through of some of the important bits and pieces to get the most out of your cloud.

Figuring Out What To Sync

All your iCloud settings are found under the iCloud section in your Settings. Right from the top, you’re given options to select various apps and settings you can sync to the cloud (and your other devices). Now, in typical Apple fashion, they don’t really give you much depth in options available. So, if you allow iCloud to sync your Contacts and Calendars, then all of them will be synced across all of your devices tied to your iCloud/Apple ID. Definitely something to keep in mind if you separate your iPhone for corporate work and iPad for play (or for your kid to play with). Of course, the best way to get around this problem is to set up different IDs with Apple to manage each parts of your life.

Managing your Storage & Backup

Now, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – iCloud backups are pretty cool. It cuts down on sync times with the desktop and it provides some peace of mind when it comes to knowing my data is stored backed up automatically. However, backing up your iOS device can really suck up a lot of your precious free 5GB available when you open your iCloud account. Here’s how you can quickly check your storage, change your settings and buy more storage as needed.

Now in the iCloud settings, click on the Storage & Backup button, which will give you some general information about your backups – your total storage available, how much you’ve used and so forth. Here, you can buy more storage directly from your device and toggle whether to set up iCloud backups for this device.

Clicking on the Manage Storage button will list the devices you’re backing into the cloud, as well as any documents you’ve chosen to back up from your Mac/PC or directly from apps in your device. As more apps continue to support document syncing, the more apps you’ll see in that section. For now, though, I’ve only got the iWorks suite backing up to it.

You can manage (primarily delete) the documents you’re backing up by going into each of the apps here and selecting the specific file you no longer need.

Managing device backups is just as easy. However, you can only manage the backups on the device you’re using, but you can delete backups on other devices in case you’re hitting your storage limit. Jumping into my iPad’s backups, you can see that the bulk of my backup is taken up by my camera roll (the same is the case for my iPhone). Now, the intuitive thing to do is to turn off Camera Roll backups. Before doing that though, it’s important to keep in mind that while doing so will not only help drop data usage, but it will also delete my backup as well.

Cloud Management…From the Cloud

The last piece of iCloud management can be done from iCloud.com. Logging in with your iCloud ID allows you to access not just your backed up documents, but also your iCloud based mail (yup, you get one of those), but also your contacts, calendars and Find my iPhone. So this last piece is useful to remember if you’ve lost your phone or need a contact while you’re away from your iOS device.What the web-based iCloud doesn’t have yet is access to your Photo Stream or app backup management. I’m sure as iCloud continues to grow and mature, more of the management will be shifted to the web, and the console would be available for multi-device management for enterprise and small businesses.

For now, though, are you all making use of the iCloud? Or is it just a neat feature that will disappear much like Ping? Let us know in the comments below.

Mint.com was updated last December to add support for Canada. The app is a secure way to keep track of all your finances in one place, such as all your bank accounts and credit card balances. You add accounts via the logins of your existing financial websites so nothing goes through Mint.com. The app today has been updated to support the iPad, and with it comes a new layout ... Read More]]>

Mint.com was updated last December to add support for Canada. The app is a secure way to keep track of all your finances in one place, such as all your bank accounts and credit card balances. You add accounts via the logins of your existing financial websites so nothing goes through Mint.com. The app today has been updated to support the iPad, and with it comes a new layout to take advantage of the increased real estate. Here are the new iPad features:

NEW FEATURES FOR IPAD
● Easy-to-understand, multi-touch graphs show you where your money is going so you get a clear picture of your spending and your net worth.
● Redesigned overview screen, so you get a quick snapshot of your finances and latest alerts, bill reminders and advice.
● Enter cash and pending transactions so you have the most accurate view of your spending.
● Get a detailed view of your transactions
● View your data even without a wireless connection.

Click here to download the updated Mint.com iPad app–it’s free. Are you using Mint to manage your finances?

Some interesting news from Asia this past week as Google officially unveiled their latest version of Android called Ice Cream Sandwich and their new flagship phone from Samsung called the Galaxy Nexus. It’s supposed to bridge the gap between a purely phone based OS (Gingerbread) and one designed strictly for tablets (Honeycomb), and on the surface, it all seems hunky-dory. But wait…something’s missing in this equation.

If the OS is ... Read More]]>

Some interesting news from Asia this past week as Google officially unveiled their latest version of Android called Ice Cream Sandwich and their new flagship phone from Samsung called the Galaxy Nexus. It’s supposed to bridge the gap between a purely phone based OS (Gingerbread) and one designed strictly for tablets (Honeycomb), and on the surface, it all seems hunky-dory. But wait…something’s missing in this equation.

If the OS is really supposed to play nice with both the phone and the tablet, where’s the tablet to coincide with the announcement? In fact, I’ve had trouble finding even a simple tablet screenshot for Ice Cream Sandwich during the press event. The only screenshots I’ve managed to find were from ThisIsMyNext.com who ran the Android emulator tool.

The big question, of course, is why the disparagement for tablets in this case? Here are a couple of theories.

Tablet Makers Aren’t Ready or Willing Yet

Without owning the entire supply chain, Google has to rely on their hardware partners to invest in the next iteration of devices. Investment is the key in this case, and it’s a substantial investment in R&D and in manufacturing. At the end of the day, hardware makers are businesses too and they need to profit from selling these devices and it doesn’t seem like they’re selling a whole of them to make it worth their while.

And while a lot of Android tablets are being sold, the profit is generally split across 3 or 4 major makers, making each one earning less individually than the market seems to make it appear. What’s the difference between tablets and phones in this case? Well, with little to no ISP subsidies for tablets, the higher cost for a tablet makes it hard for consumers to jump on board en masse. Little wonder that hardware makers just aren’t as keen to jump in bed with Google on the tablet front.

Google Isn’t Ready or Willing Yet

Google is notorious for their hands-off approach when it comes to Android hardware partners. In fact, even with their Motorola acquisition earlier this year, they were explicit in stating that they will not interfere with the hardware side of the business. Furthermore, I’ve heard through the grapevine (and even in some personal experience dealing with other parts of the big G) that their support for third parties is simply atrocious. It almost feels as if Android is the “If we build it, they will come…because we’re not Apple nor Microsoft” and stinks high of hubris. This lack of commitment is simply folly and will be the eventual failure of Android. While it’s unnecessary to control the user experience from start to finish (like Apple does), it is necessary to control enough of it so that, at the bare minimum, the hardware and software function well enough together and that some standards are met. Even Microsoft understands that, and they’re the pinnacle of selling ‘just software’.

It’s pretty safe to say that Google is pretty entrenched in mobile phone OSes. So you’ve got to wonder…how committed is Google to the tablet space? Is it something they’re doing because they simply ‘have to’? Or is there something missing? Comment to your heart’s delight and let us know.

Alongside the new iOS 5 apps released last week (find me on Find My Friends), Apple has also updated a number of their other apps to make full use of iOS 5 and the iCloud – the most marketed of which are the 3 iWork suite apps. Sounds good, right? But, how does it stack up with the other office productivity suites that leverage the cloud?

The major upgrades for ... Read More]]>

Alongside the new iOS 5 apps released last week (find me on Find My Friends), Apple has also updated a number of their other apps to make full use of iOS 5 and the iCloud – the most marketed of which are the 3 iWork suite apps. Sounds good, right? But, how does it stack up with the other office productivity suites that leverage the cloud?

The major upgrades for the iWork suite this time round focused on iCloud integration and bakcup while leaving pretty much everything else in tact, and this is more or less or a good thing. I love the mobile iWork suite, and being able to access my files on the cloud without having to email or download it via iTunes is a step in the right direction.

If you’ve been reading my columns here for some time, you would expect the next few paragraphs to be about what’s wrong with the current iteration and what’s missing. And you wouldn’t be wrong in the slightest. The biggest issue with the latest iWork update is that it just barely misses the mark of what cloud-based office productivity should be.

Remember iWork.com? Maybe you don’t. It’s one of those rare Apple betas that allow iWork users to upload their files to their servers for document sharing. It works surprisingly well for what it was designed to do. Upload documents, download it as original iWork files, Office files or even PDFs. Sounds pretty close to what the iCloud is, right? But what does this have to do with iCloud? Well, absolutely nothing and that’s the problem.

Firstly, the two systems simply don’t talk to each other (and I’m assuming neither do the two product teams). Uploading a file to the iCloud doesn’t allow it to be quickly pushed into iWork.com for sharing. I’d have to use the native app on the iPad to do that. Where’s the tight-knit integrated environment for which Apple is renowned?

Secondly, as iCloud is to storage, iWork should be to productivity. With iCloud publicly available, iWork.com needs to reposition itself for online document editing a la Google Docs. It almost appears that with Apple’s Great Leap Forward into the cloud space, they completely neglected their iWork suite rather than integrating it into their overall strategy. Maybe I got spoiled by Google Docs and Office 360, but this is what the new cloud paradigm is and Apple has once again chosen to ignore it.

In short, iWork for iOS 5 does the job folding iCloud into its productivity suite. However, it seems to have dropped the ball when it comes to updating it for the cloud based reality we now live in. It’s possible that the suite gets updated in the future, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for this one.

The iWork suite for iOS 5 is a free upgrade for those who have already purchased it, but is $9.99 each for first time buyers.

TwelveSouth recently announced their BookBook case for the original iPad is also compatible with the iPad 2! I thought this would be a great time to take a look at one of the most recognized iDevice accessories. TwelveSouth also has a case for the iPhone 4 named the BookBook as well, as reviewed by our sister site iPhoneinCanada.ca, here.

Here is what ... Read More]]>

TwelveSouth recently announced their BookBook case for the original iPad is also compatible with the iPad 2! I thought this would be a great time to take a look at one of the most recognized iDevice accessories. TwelveSouth also has a case for the iPhone 4 named the BookBook as well, as reviewed by our sister site iPhoneinCanada.ca, here.

Here is what TwelveSouth says about the BookBook;

BookBook for iPad is a handmade one-of-a-kind, hardback leather case that doubles as a fully adjustable stand. Along with its vintage looks, this case makes iPad feel as if you’re holding a real book, and in many ways you are holding a book. The hardback cover and spine provide impact protection, while the hard protective inner frame offers crush protection for your iPad. Hand distressed covers mean no two look alike. As a bonus, the unique design of this case disguises iPad for an extra level of stealthy security.

Here is our review of the BookBook case for iPad from TwelveSouth:

• The leather used in the BookBook case is handmade and very protective. I have seen a lot of BookBook cases and no two BookBooks are alike.
• If you want to prop your iPad up in landscape mode, there’s a very simple solution. Inside the cover is a large leather “button”, while on the other side is a leather “string.” Flip the cover of your BookBook open, pull the string over to the button and wrap it around the button, and the BookBook stays open and propped up. I thought this was a classy and simple way to make the iPad a stand.
• Surrounding the BookBook case is a zipper which keeps your iPad safe as well as keeping any documents or notes you wish to place in your BookBook.
• The packaging for the BookBook case is very sharp. Each BookBook comes in a soft plastic bag that protects the surface of the case while it’s being shipped. Slip the BookBook out of the bag, and there’s just a simple paper band covered with marketing info that easily slips off.
• I had no problems with charging my iPad in the BookBook case or while listening to music using the iPad’s built-in speakers.

• The BookBook case for iPad does not include the iPad 2 Smart Cover Technology as it was announced for the original iPad in April, 2010.
• There isn’t a cut-out for the iPad 2 camera in the BookBook case. So you will need to take your iPad out of the case to snap a picture or video. Check out this website to work out this issue.

Overall, this is a beautiful case for both your original iPad and your new iPad 2. The BookBook is perfect for a student, businessperson, or anyone that wants a very elegant and clever iPad case. The BookBook is available to buy for $69.99 USD. You can read about or purchase the BookBook case for iPad 2 here.

It’s so rare to talk about Microsoft on this blog that I secretly think there’s a little script that scrubs out any mention of our little friend up in Redmond, WA. But regardless of any devious gremlins that live in the blog, there was a lot of news that happened at last week’s BUILD conference that took place in Anaheim, the biggest of which was the announcement of Windows ... Read More]]>

It’s so rare to talk about Microsoft on this blog that I secretly think there’s a little script that scrubs out any mention of our little friend up in Redmond, WA. But regardless of any devious gremlins that live in the blog, there was a lot of news that happened at last week’s BUILD conference that took place in Anaheim, the biggest of which was the announcement of Windows 8. And it’s big news, even to us iPad users.

What is Windows 8 and why’s it the bees-knees?

Simply put, Windows 8 is the next version of Windows slated for release next year. What’s so special about it (and what makes it relevant to us here at iPadinCanada) is that it’s designed to be something of a hybrid OS that bridges desktop and tablet computing.

Wait. What?

From early previews of Windows 8, it appears there’s both a “Classic” (i.e. Desktop) mode and a “Metro” (or a Windows Phone 7-like) mode that live beside each other in the OS. Users can effectively jump from one view to another, while the apps will adapt to the OS’s current view.

Isn’t that potentially confusing?

Well, yes. Possibly, but here’s the up-shot. Windows 8 was designed with both desktop and mobile computing in mind. Rather than with iOS and Mac OS X, Windows 8 offers the potential of swapping how you use a single device instead of having 2 physically separate devices. This gives Windows a huge advantage over OS X in this field, especially when most day-to-day tasks require both the power and functionality of a desktop interface, as well as the intuitiveness and ease of use of a mobile interface.

But It’s Microsoft! Do they even stand a chance?

Granted, Microsoft hasn’t had a lot of big wins in the mobile space in spite of general approval of the Metro UI in Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8. Still, it’s hard to ignore their strong relationships with PC manufacturers in much the same vein that Google has for their Android devices. In fact, there are plenty of touch-capable desktop and laptop PCs in the wild that could potentially make full use of Windows 8. Or the platform would allow hardware makers to embrace new ideas like Dell’s Inspiron Duo. Windows 8 sounds pretty good now, but I’m sure it could shake things up quite a bit with some solid hardware support like that.

But what does it mean for Apple and the iPad?

It seems like Microsoft came in strong with their vision of a hybrid desktop-mobile computing experience, and effectively beat Apple to the punch in bringing the full mobile experience to the desktop. At the end of the day, though, it’s hard to say what will eventually pan out. Windows 8won’t be available till at least Q3 next year, so there’s plenty of time for both Microsoft and Apple to make changes to their existing OSes. While iOS 5 is more or less set in stone now, there’s still the potential for greater convergence with iOS 6 and maybe an OS XI. What we do know, however, is that it’s definitely too early to count Microsoft out of the tablet game just yet. Apple may have established itself as a strong leader, but Microsoft is looking at leap frogging past Android with something that Google may not be able to fight off.