Category: Mobile

Microsoft’s Surface RT has often received mixed reviews from tech critics. Its successor Surface Pro was showed off to the public at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, and the response was quite favorable. However, the device has quite a few issues as well. Many also believe that the Surface concept itself is out of sync with times, and it may not match its competitors’ sales in the market. Before we see what is bothering Microsoft and its products, let us take a look at what Surface Pro has got to offer to its users. The Surface Pro, according to one reviewer, is Microsoft’s attempt at building the archetypal Windows 8 device. By combining good features of Metro and Desktop, Surface Pro is an excellent device that works like a regular computer, along with the mobility of a tablet. Specifications of Microsoft Surface Pro The Surface Pro comes with an Ivy Bridge Core 5 processor, 4GB RAM and a storage of either 64 GB or 128 GB. At 10.9 inches, the display is larger than iPad’s and the machine has a number of ports such as microSD, USB 3.0, mini Display Port and others. The device also comes with a kickstand just like Surface RT. However, the processor also increases the weight of Surface Pro, and it is heavier than Surface RT. What confuses many people is that the Surface Pro comes with a stylus and an eraser, something that Microsoft’s rival Apple would look down upon. The Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor will generate a lot of heat, and Surface Pro being a tablet, will not probably be able to handle all the heat like a desktop or a laptop. Surface Pro Is Expensive for a Tablet The entry level Surface Pro shall cost $900, which is one of the most expensive price tags for a tablet. Moreover, people have begun to say that the Surface Pro has a poor battery life and is not suited for mobile usage as much as its competitors. The price factor aloe can make many people to think twice before buying the Surface Pro, as iPad Mini and the new iPad are both cheaper than Microsoft Surface Pro. Also, there are several cheaper Android tablets available out there, which do almost the same things as Apple’s iPad or Microsoft’s Surface. Unless somebody is very fond of Windows 8 ecosystem, they may prefer buying a full-fledged laptop or ultrabook along with a cheaper tablet. What Ails Microsoft Surface Pro It is ergonomically difficult to do all things in one device. A tablet is meant to be a tablet and a laptop/desktop meant to be one. When the boundaries are blurred and designers try to force a product that is a cross between a tablet and an ultrabook, many people may simply go ahead and buy a tablet they are familiar with, and a high functioning ultrabook or desktop that is available at a cheaper cost. Microsoft in all its earnestness has decided to take on the tablet sphere with its Windows 8 OS, but people simply associate Windows 8 with desktops and laptops, and Windows Mobile 8 with smartphones. Ideally, Microsoft should have let the tablet remain a tablet, and reduced its size so that it is not difficult to lug around. The Stylus and Eraser Are Not Great Ideas Moreover, a stylus and an eraser are virtually unnecessary and from a design point of view, inconvenient for the user. Of course, people may find it stylish and attractive to use a stylus in the beginning, but what a stylus can achieve can be achieved with gestures, finger tapping on a virtual keyboard and other such technologies which already exist. With that in mind, Microsoft’s Surface tablets do seem out of sync with times, as people use tablets for their mobility and ultra books /desktops for their high power and the comfort of using them on a table. While the idea seems great, and the products looks pretty good too, Surface Pro may not find mainstream acceptance like its competitors – Apple’s iPads and Android tablets. The future may require Microsoft to concentrate more on mobile operating system and ensure that there are enough applications in the marketplace to compete with Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The future will also force Microsoft to consolidate its PC business and focus on building mobile technologies that are in sync with times.

While touchscreen technology has existed for quite some time and it no longer raises an eyebrow even in emerging countries, it is quite interesting to wonder what the future holds for it. Surface computing refers to the use of a specialized computer GUI where traditional GUI is replaced by intuitive objects. These intuitive objects may take the form of gestures and a touch sensitive screen, instead of a keyboard and mouse. In fact, it is safe to say that gesture recognition and touchscreen technology are more ‘natural’ than using a keyboard and mouse or other forms of input. Surface computers are used almost everywhere. What Surface Computing Is All About Tablets, smartphones, laptops and even desktops come with touch displays and it certainly is what the present is all about. Even the touch display panels at hospitals, public places, ATM machines and at airports represent this brand of computing. However, it is understandable to wonder what the future of surface computing is going to be. Surface computers are often installed in libraries and stores too, where catalogues can be easily accessed and referred to. Moreover, the advent of a mobile culture has sort of changed the way we understand touch displays. Instead of bulky surface computers like the previous Microsoft Surface, we often think in terms of tablets. The future then, certainly belongs to a breed of tablets or tablet-like devices which connect to the internet, and allow you to interact with the help of gestures. Gesture recognition may also be coupled with augmented reality, which sort of creates a real world environment with the help of position, GPS, sound, video and graphics data. Importance of Augmented Reality and GPS We believe, the future will be a combination of touchscreen technology, gesture recognition, augmented reality and a more human-brain like computing that mimics all the 5 sense organs of our body. In fact, this may result in commercial products that imbibe mediated reality. This refers to the doctrine that reality can be either augmented or diminished with the help of a computer. That is precisely what the next couple of years will hold for us. There will be more mobile applications that will be sensitive to GPS and augmented reality. While NFC is a non starter particularly because it is not popular even after several years of existence, augmented reality and using GPS along with gesture recognition will change surface computing. Certainly, we are not going to see something that we have never seen before. Newer products will be more polished, more sophisticated variants of existing products and will help us to access information in a frictionless environment. What Future Gadgets and Computers Are Going to Be Like People have begun to take technology for granted. It is no longer possible to amuse people with newer technologies, features and specifications. The design element will always be important, but there shall be less focus on marketing technologies that are already known. Unless there is something revolutionary, the focus will shift to designing great products, and companies will become more product centric than price and market centric. This will leave us with tablets, smartphones and computers which will have to be redesigned in a way that reduces ‘friction’. Introducing cloud services, employing gesture and touch technology where possible and using augmented reality including GPS more often will continue to be popular in the coming years. Surface computing is not dead, but right now we are certainly on a plateau. Compartmentalizing the Present and the Future Is Unnecessary It would be unnecessary and unrealistic to compartmentalize present and future. The reality is more blurred and probably the differentiation between the present and the future is just not required anymore. The focus for product designers, app developers and manufacturing companies should be on creating product centric models which are polished, rethought and reimaged from existing products. Until we actually come across a technology that will change the world all over again (like Internet did), the future is going to be more or less similar to the present, only simpler and less complex. It certainly would be interesting to know what products will be launched in the next couple of years. Our belief is, similar products that are better designed than the current ones shall be released and marketed to a global audience.

It is nothing strange to wake up using your smartphone and go to bed using the same smartphone. While that is still ok, it may be a real problem when you use it while you are eating, in the gym, while in the conference and of course while you are watching the TV. Smartphone addiction is one of the most common but least recognized psychological issues in the world today. Most of us are addicted to smartphones in varying degrees and most of us have very little insight as to what smartphone addiction is. No matter what it is, it will ruin your creativity, productivity and also your efficiency if you do not recognize its existence in the beginning. Once it becomes a full-fledged addiction you might have to seek professional assistance. Nevertheless in this article, we shall discuss what smartphone addiction is, how it impacts people’s lives and how it can be overcome easily. It is a touchy subject and many people do not want to address it at all but when we are in the tech business, it becomes crucial for us to address what smartphone addiction is, gain insight and begin taking steps to curb severe addictive behaviors. Warning Signs of Smartphone Addiction Some of the signs and symptoms of being addicted to smartphone is not being able to remain without using one for even a short period of time. When you are not with your smartphone, you may feel a sense of anxiety or dread and may feel like a part of you is lost. Another symptom is trying to search for your phone if you are away from it even for a few minutes. When you do not find it, you may feel anxious and begin to panic. You may also prefer using your phone when you are out on a date or meeting friends. If your cellphone does not vibrate or ring for some time, you may feel frustrated, irritable and annoyed. Another major symptom of smartphone addiction is getting angry when you are interrupted while using a smartphone. When you are away from your handset, you may feel you have lost a part of your own body and that you are not complete without it. Last but not the least, those who are addicted to smartphones feel guilty about being dependent on them but refuse to acknowledge that it’s a problem. These feelings are central to smartphone addiction and call for a red flag which might require professional attention. However, all is not lost and it is not difficult to kick the habit or addiction of using smartphones. Treating Smartphone Addiction As with any other addiction, a combination of psychotherapy, motivation and medication if required, are necessary. First of all, you will need to recognize that you have a problem and that you like using your smartphone more than what is considered normal. With recognition of a problem comes the state of accepting that you are addicted. The next step is to get proactive and ensure that you are actually motivated to kick the habit and stop letting smartphones interfere with your professional and personal lives. It may sound a little difficult in the beginning but it is not that tough. What you would need to do is speak to a registered counselor or psychologist and express your apprehensions about your addiction. The moment you recognize that you have a problem, you will be able to check for yourself if you are motivated enough to try and kick the habit of using smartphones. Acceptance and motivation to kick the habit of using smartphones in an addictive way is central to being psychologically healthy. Once you know that you are addicted and you begin to make attempts to kick the habit, you will be able to speak to someone who will provide you with guidance related to kicking the habit. This includes behavioral interventions and cognitive behavioral exercises that help you to reduce your anxiety, cravings and a sense of worthlessness that is usually associated with addictions. Being addicted to smartphones or any other gadget is just as dangerous as being addicted to a substance. It will harm you professionally and personally. The solution is to recognize the problem, admire your gadgets but also get on with your daily activities and seek help when required.

While designing websites or ecommerce websites, we must take into account the importance of mobile devices in shopping decisions. It is widely understood that an increasing number of people have begun to use their tablets and cellphones to purchase products. They offer convenience, portability and ease of use. Ecommerce websites tend to be designed for web browsers and not for tablets or smartphones,. If you are a company that needs a website to sell your products or services, you might want to know where your target audience usually prefers to shop. M-commerce is a trend that is getting popular thanks to standardization of solutions, platforms and applications. M-commerce refers to purchases made on smartphones, tablets and sometimes even on feature phones. There certainly seems to be a difference between the way people purchase on smartphones and tablets. The advantage is clearly on the side of the latter. Tablet Users Purchase More than Smartphone Users The conclusion is surprising when we take a look at the penetration of both technologies. 21% of the population has a tablet, and the population able to access the Internet via a smartphone is much greater: 56%. When it comes to actual purchases, the numbers make it really clear, who the real winner is.  33% of smartphone users use it to buy, but 51% of tablet owners make purchases on their tablets. Tablets Are Generally Better Suited for Purchases Obviously, the issue of navigation and purchases cannot be reduced to the subject of penetration of a device. A tablet seems better suited for e-commerce in general. The general perception is that they are more comfortable and better suited to web browsing or glancing through product images. Therefore, it is most often used at home or on the move to purchase products. Moreover, tablets often have applications that are well suited for enlarging images and looking at details. Often, people prefer to buy clothes and even art using tablets as they can enlarge images and take a good at details. This preference for details often leaves smartphone users feeling handicapped, which is probably why they often just take a look at the products and then das to the nearby store to purchase what they want. What People Buy on Smartphones and Tablets If you were wondering what sorts of products are purchased more often on tablets and smartphones, a study suggested that people purchase differently on smartphones and on tablets. Music and video (whether physical or digital), games, software, clothing, cosmetics and health products are more often purchased by smartphone users than tablet users. Conversely, everyday products, such as food, electronics and appliances, tickets, gifts or entertainment and cinema tickets are purchased tablet users. It should be noted that books are purchased by both the two populations without any significant differences. Who Uses Tablets and Smartphones When we look at the demographics, tablet users are older as a rule, mainly because of higher shelf prices. Smartphone users tend to be more diverse and more mobile, which probably explains why they may choose to shop in real than online. Tablet users tend to be more engrossed in their devices partly because of their ease of use and partly because those who purchase tablets tend to be more tech savvy than general smartphone users. Tablet users also carry smartphones themselves, which make them more tech savvy than those who carry only smartphones. All these things go into consideration when we try to understand why a subgroup purchases differently than the other. If we consider these points and ponder upon them, it is easy to surmise that we must first understand where our target audience really is. If they are usually on smartphones, you will do better by optimizing your website for smartphones. If they are found shopping on tablets more often, you might want to consider that factor as well. At the end of the day, responsive web designing takes care of all screen types. However, a little knowledge into consumer behavior can go a long way in ensuring commercial success. Simply put, mobile commerce is the future of online shopping. If we understand the trends as they begin to unfold, we will be better prepared for the future.

Though most business owners would prefer to overlook, an important development in advertising is the entrance of mobile application-based advertising. With an increased number of people using Apple’s iPhones, Android based devices and Windows 8 based devices, the future is certainly going to be app fuelled. In fact, most people today use applications to access their favorite content, rather than using a browser to visit that very same page. In-app Advertising In-app advertising refers to the practice of placing advertisements within the context of a mobile application. Such an application can target very specific audience and the returns can be astounding. Most consumers who use a particular app will have certain well defined interests. Choosing and zeroing down on your target audience is extremely easy when it comes to in-app advertisements. What is not easy is, deciding on the manner these in-app advertisements appear within an application. Usually, ad designers have resorted to banner and text ads that intrude on the screen when a user is engaging with an application. The user tries to avoid the ad as much as possible and may end up getting annoyed with the whole experience. This can only lead to the ad being ineffective and a waste of corporate marketing funds. With such a situation in hand, it becomes important to consider the pros and cons of different in-app styles including text, banner, video and images. The general consensus among industry leaders is that an app must be as little intrusive as possible and must be visually very appealing. In fact, an ad that is more visually engaging and appealing than the app itself will have higher click-through rates and eventual ad campaign success. Pitfalls of Avoiding In-App Advertising Thus, advertisements on web pages are hardly noticed and users continue to engage with content on applications. Ad revenue decreases and effectiveness of ad campaigns is negated. Business owners must bear in mind that applications are the present and the future, and that there is no looking away from mobile application advertising. Moreover, web is more frequently accessed via mobile phones and tablets than through traditional desktops and laptops. This leads us to a situation where monetizing through ad campaigns can happen only when applications within a mobile platform are understood. Creating In-app Advertisements While it can’t be argued if or not mobile app advertisements are required, it can be argued how these advertisements should appear within the applications. Most companies at the moment resort to text-based or banner advertisements which interfere with a user’s engagement. These unsightly banner ads tend to be intrusive and do not match the expectations of a user who is used to glamorous apps that employ HTML 5 or other languages which are very visual in nature. The onus is on creative guys in ad agencies who must make sure that the ads they create suit the aesthetics of the applications within which they appear. HTML 5 based applications that ensure visual aesthetics can lead to better ad engagement. Moreover, users have noted that when an ad appears out of place within an app, they tend to avoid it or even stop using that application altogether. The key is to increase a user’s engagement when it comes to mobile app ads. The ads should be engaging as the apps they are found in and will have to utilize graphic rich HTML5 content or even full-fledged videos, which are shot stylishly. In-app advertisements will soon grow to be a multi-billion dollar industry and there is no way a company can escape this juggernaut. Planning In-app Advertisements Speaking to ad professionals, app designers and graphic designers becomes crucial at this stage. It becomes more crucial to define your target audience and what you are trying to aim at, when it comes to in-app advertisements. By listing down your priorities and defining your goals and target audience, you will be able to identify applications that are best suited to your marketing goals and target audience. Once applications are shortlisted, you could go ahead and design amazing in-app advertisements that match the design of an application. You do not require being a marketing ninja to understand that the specificity that an application provides is remarkable. By utilizing this platform effectively, you can increase your marketing potential by a large segment.

Web designers have begun to understand that it is very important to put mobile first, while designing websites. Just a few months ago, there were arguments and debates if a mobile-first approach was really necessary. With smartphones and tablets driving more traffic than traditional computers, a mobile first approach is finally grounded in web designing nomenclatures, for good. However, occasionally web designers ask us questions why they must put mobile first and why they can’t create the complete website and then begin the reductionist process of creating a version for tablet computers and the for smartphones. Getting Accustomed to Responsive Web Designing Responsive web designing allows websites to respond to their surroundings and approach multiple devices in a unique manner. Ideally, the web designer would not have to worry about the various sizes of the screens, resolutions and width or even worry about different operating systems and mediums. Responsive web designing also allows users to experience websites with minimal differences in style, content and cognitive efforts. A user would no longer have to invest cognitively each time he or she changes a device in order to understand how the same website appears on each of the devices he or she uses. Web designers must realize that responsive web designing is not the same as fluid web design. Of course it is, but with a lot of added frills, bells and whistles. Designers would already know that responsive web designing depends on media queries. It targets different minimum or maximum screen widths. Psychology behind Mobile First Approach Image source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u107/Psi.jpg Web designers might again question why they have to put mobile first even while using responsive web designing techniques. It all boils down to psychological concepts of information processing and information creation. Cognitive effort is significantly reduced when flesh is added to the skeleton. A mobile version of the website can be understood as the skeleton and by adding flesh and muscles, it could be built for tablets, and after clothing the tablet version of the same website, one could build the full browser version. The idea is to expand outwards and to think small in the beginning. By concentrating on the parts first, rather than the whole, mobile-first approach defies gestalt theory of “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Utilizing Gestalt Principles in Creating Responsive Websites Image Source: https://tafein2009.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/law-of-closure.png?w=500 The above pictures are immediately understood as a circle and a square, instead of a collection of meaningless lines.  A visitor to a website usually perceives an entire page as a ‘whole’. He does not look at the various parts like content, images, advertisements, banners and any other media in particular. He usually looks at the page as a single entity which is comprised of several parts. This basic Gestalt principle holds good in web designing as well. What is perceived is always greater than the sum of all the smaller entities that a page comprises of. So what must a web designer do then, if he has to design with a mobile-first approach in mind? Well, the same Gestalt principle is reversed. The reverse Gestalt approach requires a web designer to create a skeleton (basic site for mobile devices) and fill the flesh and muscles to create fuller and wholesome versions of the website for browsers. Unfortunately, even if the creation of a website defies Gestalt principles, the way a user perceives a website always remains true to this fundamental law of psychology. No matter which device a user uses, he will always perceive the website as a single entity that comprises of several parts. With that in mind, web designers must understand that the perception of a website is always wholesome and full – in accordance with Gestalt principle. However, while building a website, a web designer must start from the bottom, from the basic skeleton and move towards a wholesome webpage. Web Designers Need Psychology 101! As web designers, it is extremely important to know the fundamental principles of psychology, human information processing and cognitive processes. When even a fraction of a second is important to retain visitors on the product or company webpage, designers must make every attempt to retain and sustain attention and concentration. As technology changes and the way we consume information changes, it becomes extremely important to stay grounded in the fundamentals of psychology and understand that building a webpage may not always be in accordance to psychological principles though the end result – the web page, must adhere to the laws of cognitive science in order to provide a better user experience.

Companies finally have begun to realize the importance of traffic generated via mobile devices. With increasing popularity of smartphones and the gradual phasing-out of feature phones, one can expect that this trend will only continue in future. Apart from advanced mobile operating systems like iOS and Android, free data plans and high speed wireless networks have contributed to the popularity of using the Internet on mobile devices. Using one’s SEO resources equally for PC-based and mobile based traffic maybe more necessary now than ever. What businesses need to understand from these developments is that they would gain more if they consider the importance of mobile SEO and mobile marketing. Both B2B and B2C marketing will require mobile optimization and speaking to SEO professionals who can optimize a marketing campaign to suit the needs of mobile device users is crucial. Most companies are at a loss when it comes to optimizing their websites for mobile devices. With that in mind, SEO for mobile audiences is even more elusive for website owners. Rapid Increase in Mobile Traffic to Websites Walker Sands Quarterly Web Traffic Report suggested that in the fourth quarter of 2011, almost 12.6% of total website traffic was generated via mobile devices. During the 4th quarter of 2010, 6.3% of website traffic was generated via mobile devices. If one looks at the graph, that is an outstanding 102% increase in mobile traffic in just over a year. Callcredit Information Group’s digital arm of direct marketing business conducted its own study that suggests that there has been an astounding 202% increase in mobile web traffic. While these numbers may be at conflict with each other, one can infer that mobile traffic is increasing rapidly all over the world. Important reasons for this tendency are better mobile devices, 3G and 4G LTE networks, cheaper data plans and advanced mobile browsers. Geographical Distribution of Mobile Traffic Interestingly, this trend is highest among developing nations such as India, China and few countries in Africa. In Zimbabwe, about 58.06% of website traffic was generated via mobile devices, whereas, in Nigeria, the percentage was 57.89. On the other hand, India’s mobile device generated traffic to websites had a share of 48.24%. Analysts expect that figure to cross 50% in 2012. In Europe, the United Kingdom had the highest share of mobile traffic to websites, at 10.71%. French companies have begun to offer cheaper data plans that let users make unlimited calls, send text messages and use data on their devices for as little as 20 Euros. This move is expected to kick-start a mobile revolution in France as well, where data plans were particularly expensive until sometime ago. Reasons for Surge in Mobile Traffic It is important to understand that this upward trend reflects what the future is going to be like. The market is flooded with 4G enabled phones that run on superior Android 4.0, and this alone is enough to tempt people to use their smartphones to browse the Internet. With that in mind, it may be interesting to note that 70% of all mobile visits now arrive via an iPhone device. 24% of consumers use an Android device to access the Internet. RIM’s BlackBerry users accounted for only 4% of mobile traffic, which is understandable considering the size of the screen, ageing software and data interruptions. Search Engine Optimization for Mobile Traffic Is Crucial The idea is to exploit the limitations of mobile devices and make these limitations SEO strengths. For instance, using voice search and incorporating Google voice search and Apple’s Siri can be a great idea. It is also important to make sure that the content is written with mobile users in mind. Content must be extremely relevant and keywords need to be shorter. If need be, one may also use abbreviations while using keywords. Most smartphones are GPS-enabled and thus local search optimization takes an entirely new form. Apart from these few strategies, companies may also need SEO professionals’ help to profile their mobile device audience, and cater to immediate demands that mobile users place on companies. Integrating social media features may be crucial to any mobile search optimization efforts. In short, companies will need to work a lot more on mobile marketing and mobile SEO techniques in order to tap the increasing traffic that arrives from mobile devices.

If the 2000s was the decade of blogs and social media, the 2010s are certainly the decade for mobile apps. With more number of people using apps to access their favourite sites on mobile devices, the demand for quality applications is on a steady rise. It is important for every company or web admin to have a mobile version of their website, which must preferably be in the form of an application. Mobile apps feature interactivity, richness of feature, better graphics and ease of use. With this in mind, one would have to considering apps rather seriously. What One Must Bear in Mind While testing Mobile Apps Once developed, the applications need to be tested in order to verify if they are good enough to go live in the market. The number of tools to test applications is smaller than the number of tools available for general software testing. Moreover, mobile apps are intended to be used by people who may not have even the basic software or technical background. This essentially means that testing an application is to test for its simplicity and minimalism. Growing Awareness about Mobile App Testing Labs People are increasingly beginning to understand the importance of mobile testing labs, in which new applications are verified and tested for their suitability before being launched in the market. These labs can prove to be very expensive, and they are hard to build. This is mostly because the software which is required to run certain application and the many devices which lab technicians would require in order to check suitability over different handsets and operating systems are simply too expensive. Testing Mobile Apps: The Process The process of testing application begins with R&D Testing and then proceeds to Factory Testing before culminating in Certificate Testing. During the R&D Testing, developers test for hardware, software and mechanical errors. Once an app passes this process it is time to verify if the app works well on any device that it is meant to be used on. Finally, a Certificate Testing is done in order to conform to regulations that governments and companies place regarding security, health hazards and other such profound matters. Behind the Scenes: Mobile App Testing Labs What one needs to know however is that mobile app testing does not happen in a casual environment. They take place in special labs which are built for only this purpose. The labs consist of test automation software, emulators, simulators and actual devices. Testing labs are handled by experts who know their job and have hands-on experience in app testing for years. Most of these mobile testing labs are expensive to run and many developers find it difficult to have a lab of their own. Moreover, devices and cellphones need to be maintained, upgraded or even replaced in order to make sure that the lab has all the devices that an application needs to be tested upon. Professional testers themselves need to have years of experience and considerable knowledge so that there are no opportunities for errors before certificate testing. When it comes to testing applications over particular operating systems, one needs to be a little more than just careful. No matter what the situation is, the lab and the technicians involved make the difference. Testing Across Devices and Platforms Apart from smartphones being PDAs, they also come with varied hardware features such as scanners, GPS, accelerometers, telemetry, touchscreen and so on. These hardware elements are crucial for applications as each device varies in terms of the specs available. For instance, devices may have very small screens or may have extra large screens. Thus, an app tester must keep these versatile specs in mind before testing an application. Any app that is designed has to be usable across various devices, even though they all use the same OS. As everyone knows, the most number of apps are available for Apple’s iOS platform, and close behind lurks Android OS. BlackBerry devices may have lost their popularity in developed nations, but their popularity in emerging markets remains strong. Of course, there is also another contender from Microsoft Windows Mobile. Hiring Third-party App testing Labs and Professionals At IndusNet Technologies, we understand the importance of having access to superior mobile web and app testing labs to companies and individuals. Many companies and individuals may not be keen to set up their own app testing labs, or hire someone on a full time basis. We offer app testing services and we are equipped with the latest devices, handsets, simulators and software in order to make sure that your apps run effectively across devices and platforms. With professionals having years of experience, we offer cutting edge services in app testing.

It has almost been a fortnight since Microsoft Surface was announced and industry pundits are still arguing and analyzing if Surface will manage to dent its competitors’ sales or if it will go down history’s timeline as just another product that failed to attract sales in spite of great features. Before one dismisses Microsoft Surface as yet another product that will not match up to the hype of other products, it is important to do a comparative study of all the tablets that might give Microsoft Surface a run for its money. Among the competitors are Apple’s iPad, Samsung’s Galaxy Tablets, and to an extent Google’s Nexus tablet that was recently announced as well. Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro This Microsoft branded tablet is aimed to rival Apple’s iPad but is so much more than just a tablet. It is a crossover device that blends the utility of a tablet with the functionality of a traditional laptop. In fact, it could be described as a hybrid gadget. The selling point of Microsoft Surface is that it comes with a super thin case that doubles up as a keyboard when opened. Microsoft Surface will come in two versions, “Surface” and “Surface Pro”. The Surface will run on Windows RT OS and utilize an ARM CPU. The Surface Pro will use Microsoft’s Windows 8 Pro OS and an Intel CPU. Surface is expected to be launched in November, while Surface Pro is expected to be available after 3 months of its predecessor’s launch. Surface will come with a 16:9 widescreen HD Display and Surface Pro will boast of Full HD Display. The multi-touch screen will make sure that the tablet is not what the previous generation was used to using on Windows platform. Surface shall come in 32 GB and 64 GB storage options while Surface Pro will come in 64 GB and 128 GB options. The Surface Pro is also expected to support a pen with palm block, but with everyone used to touchscreen finger input, there may not be many takers for a stylus at this point in time. With just 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity, Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro will disappoint those who prefer to connect to the Internet via 3G and 4G networks. Surface will support USB 2.0, while Surface Pro will support USB 3.0. Microsoft has also made sure that it doesn’t disappoint those who are into graphics and video games. With Nvidia Tegra ARM on Surface and Dual-core Intel Core i5 on Surface Pro, it should be very easy to play graphically rich video games. The actual date of release or the prices have not been mentioned. Microsoft did mention that Surface Pro’s price will likely be similar to that of an Ultrabook, which makes it around $700 to $800, which is rather steep. Microsoft Surface vs iPad When Apple announced the 3rd generation iPad in March, the company sort of hit the nail with its marketing tactics. iPad is a brand name that people recognize and vouch for, and it shall support 4G (LTE) speeds as well. The new Apple A5X chip and the quad-core graphics processor make it a very sturdy device that is available for $499 for a 16 GB storage space. Microsoft will certainly cost more than an iPad and most people tend to believe that iPad is overpriced. Microsoft might have to bear the brunt for not providing 3G or 4G connectivity and pricing it higher than most premium tablets already available. However, Microsoft Surface is likely to be popular among those who prefer productivity to consumption. Microsoft Surface vs Samsung Galaxy Tablets Samsung’s hugely popular Galaxy Tab series are popular precisely because of the apps that are available in the Android market, and also because of the pricing. These tablets are affordable to most people. The Samsung tablets offer GSM, GPRS and EDGE connectivity options while non-US users can accommodate a 3G data-only SIM if they do not need telephone functionality. Samsung’s smaller Galaxy Note is a hybrid tablet-telephone that also supports 4G. The LTE connectivity capable Note was announced in February 2012. With an 8MP main camera and a 2MP front camera, Galaxy Note is pretty much what a photography-enthusiast would want to purchase. On the other hand, the 10.1 version of Galaxy tab costs $399 and the 7.0 inch version costs $249. It is not clear what cameras Microsoft is planning to use on the Surface but it will have a lot of competition to meet. Moreover, Windows applications will not be able to meet the sheer number of apps that Android market offers. Microsoft Surface vs Google Nexus 7 Google Nexus 7 comes with a 7-ionch screen and a 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU. It does not have a back camera and just has a 1.2 MP camera in the front. It is compatible with Wi-Fi and is marketed as a Kindle Fire killer. Amazon’s Kindle Fire is mostly used as an eBook reader rather than a tablet. The Nexus 7 is available at the Google Play store for $199 for an 8 GB device. The 16 GB device costs $249. Microsoft’s Surface Pro on the other hand costs almost near $800 but packs in a lot of computer horsepower. In fact, Microsoft Surface is likely going to be popular among those who are stuck between the choice of using a laptop computer and a tablet. Is Microsoft Surface a Winner? That is a question which can be answered when the company announces its sales. It is pretty clear now that Microsoft cannot compare to the latest iPad in terms of pricing or in terms of connectivity and available applications. It will certainly be popular among those who need a physical keyboard but there are several cases available for iPad that double up as physical keyboards. Moreover, Microsoft may also have trouble competing with Android tablets as they are significantly cheaper and offer better connectivity and access to Android applications. If any, the