Microsoft has finally kicked their advertising into high gear with effective and focused ads aimed at the big bad iPad on the block. This one follows yesterdays stellar effort where Siri is the breakout star who points out how Windows 8 tablets are better than the iPad. This new ad undercuts Apple right where it hurts, pointing out the slim and light aspects of the device. I will say that this tablet shown is a WinRT that is also made by ASUS as part of their Vivo lineup so the full functionality isn’t really present like yesterday’s Windows 8 tablet has.

With the coming 7”-8” Windows 8 tablets on their way in the fall you can really see how if Microsoft continues to build out functionality in WinRT they can attack both the iPad and iPad Mini in the business world. The WinRT platform that has excellent core apps and seamless Windows 8 cross device capabilities would make the next generation of WinRT tablets formidable (cough Surface Mini cough). I’m sure those in the Apple camp have much to say so take it to the the comments. I’m firmly in the camp of Windows 8/RT.

Microsoft & OEM partner ASUS launches a full on frontal attack aimed squarely at the iPad. The advert attacks the iPad at its obvious and well known weakness that until now nobody has been able to point out with any significance. This ad I should say does a fantastic job of pointing out the lack of multitasking and glanceable information the iPad has. I won’t touch on the productivity topic because third-party developers and big name vendors have definitely stepped up and provided tablet optimized apps that add amazing productivity to the iPad. The important to note is that everything this advert points out on the Windows 8 tablet is built in out of the box. Making your point through humor just can’t be matched because it invokes an emotional attachment to the ad itself.

I’ve been waiting for this. Show the product. Nice

The PNY 128GB flash drive is on sale at Best Buy. It was listed at $149.99, but right now it is sold for $59.99. I think it is pretty good complimentary backup storage to Microsoft Surfaces.

Having used Palm Pilots and Pocket PCs for nearly a decade, you can call me a styli junkie. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t miss them. But when I see one I become a bit curious. I tried a capacitive stylus a couple years ago and found it to be very unresponsive. Figured it was time to give it another shot.

The Targus Slim Stylus is a tiny thing, measuring 4.375” long and about 0.25” across, not including the handy pocket clip (to store in your geeky pocket protector). Being a capacitive stylus, the target area is not as precise as a resistive stylus or one of those Wacom digitizer thingies. As a result, its use is somewhat limited, but I knew that before laying down my cash.

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I’ve never been a fan of the Surface ads. If you want to sell a product that consumers aren’t familiar with then I don’t see how a bunch of dancing works. Well the critics have been heard and finally there’s a new Surface ad that talks about capabilities and actually describes the product…and it works. Check it out:

Here’s their description of the video:

Surface Imagine shows you a device that can finally do it all.  It has the power of  a laptop with the portability of a tablet.  It has a USB port and a click-in keyboard and the power to run Office.  Check out why Microsoft Surface lets you do so much more.

What’s that. Microsoft (as well as their partners) is launching an 8″ Surface RT in June for $249-$299. Market shift, here we come.

Good news for Windows 8 /RT fans of Angry Birds Star Wars.  The 4 month late update to include Hoth and Cloud City has been updated.  If you bought it (and did not delete the app) then head over to Windows Store and update NOWWWWWW!!!!!

Here are a few of the most common workplace security mistakes, as well as a few tips on how to avoid them:

1.    Losing Your Mobile Device

While not everyone has had the misfortune of having a device lost or stolen, it’s extremely likely to happen to at least one person in your workplace at some time. Just think of all the personal information you’ve sent in professional emails: Your contact information is in your email signature, you may have copies of client records in your “Sent” folder, and your HR manager likely has your social security information stored somewhere in their files. Despite those risks, a third of people don’t bother to protect their mobile devices with a PIN or password. To give you, your boss, and your coworkers peace of mind, you should also install security software that will locate, lock, and wipe your phone remotely in the case of device loss or theft.

2.    Downloading Risky Apps

Whenever you download an app on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you’re handing over your personal details to the developer of that app. While many apps require certain data to run (for example, Google Maps requires access to your location), some applications collect extensive information without your knowledge. Recent research found that more than 100,000 Android applications on Google Play are “suspicious” or “questionable” because of what they collect about users. Free apps are particularly suspect, and an app with access to your contact information can be used to mine information about your company’s employees. In turn, this information can easily be used to carry out sophisticated spearphishing attacks that can compromise your entire workplace.

3.    Working Remote – With or Without Your Corporate Device

According to a recent study, 46% of employees admit to transferring files to and from work and personal computers when working from home. This can pose a serious risk to your employer’s data, since personal computers are rarely protected or maintained as well as corporate devices. Talking about sensitive company issues where others can hear or intercept the conversation becomes much more common when you’re working from home or in a coffee shop. If you do work remotely, never hold work conversations in a place where you could be overheard, and always connect to a VPN over a secure Wi-Fi network (NOT the free Wi-Fi in your favorite café).

4.    Passwords on Post-Its

You’ve seen it; I’ve seen it. When your IT guy gives out a particularly complex password to remember, our first inclination is to write it down on a Post-It and stick it on the side of our work computer. In fact, 55% of us admit to sharing password details with friends, family, or coworkers – a habit that could leave corporate or personal data open to theft. To avoid this mistake while still maintaining a variety of complex passwords, try a password management system like McAfee Safe Key, which is included with your McAfee All Access subscription.

5.    Foregoing Security Software

No matter where you work, all employees need to understand that they are handling sensitive business data whenever they work from a personal or corporate device. Take some time to install a security solution on all of your mobile devices, and when it’s your phone or laptop that gets stolen, your coworkers (and boss) will thank you. It only takes a moment to download, and this step could save you a lot of time, money, and potentially your job.

credit goes to http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer-threat-notices/top-5-mobile-security-mistakes-to-avoid-in-the-workplace

I have been an ardent proponent of the Zune/Xbox Music since first acquiring a Windows Phone in November 2010, when I realized the value in having a combined streaming + download cloud-based music service available on a myriad of devices. Since the introduction of the Xbox Music platform last year, it’s safe to say that most previous Zune and Zune Music Pass users have had a love/hate relationship with the service and its Windows 8 app counterpart. While I haven’t come to terms with the significant performance decrease and functional reduction of the app, and the service’s inability to fully sync music between Windows Phone 8 and the Cloud Collection; there has been one major change that is far more difficult to tolerate. Since this platform has re-launched last year, the value provided by Microsoft’s Xbox Music Pass has consistently degraded with no explanation.

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