Microsoft Surface Tablet First Opinions – Could the Surface Flop Badly?

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So the first opinions are in on the new Microsoft Surface Tablet and the verdict isn’t great. Sam Biddle from Gizmodo gave his view on Bloomberg TV and he was pretty critical calling it ‘a real let down’.

According to Biddle the device was a complete flop as a computer replacement. The keyboard was a real struggle to type on and the track pad was unresponsive and didn’t ‘cut it’.

However he said the design was great. The engineering on the keyboard was phenomenal and it snaps beautifully into place. The kick stand was also a great addition.

Biddle thought the Surface worked better as a tablet but was not a challenger to the high end. Overall he seemed very disappointed.

Bloomberg’s Rich Jaroslovsky was more positive. One bright point is that the keyboard which Biddle disliked so much can be replaced with one with real keys (although this is more expensive at $130). Jaroslovsky found this easier than typing on glass. This might solve many of issues Biddle had.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment with the Surface is the confusion over Windows 8. The Surface only runs Window RT, a variant of Windows 8. It doesn’t run software for earlier versions of Windows. I thought the whole point of Windows 8 was to have one seamless operating system across all devices. But now they seem different anyway. Moreover Jaroslovsky saw the potential for a lot of confusion between tablet and desktop mode on the tablet. For example there are two different versions of internet explorer.

The tablet side of the Surface is not as intuitive as similar rival devices and takes getting used to. The space also gets eaten up very quickly by the windows operating system and built in apps. So it doesn’t seem as good as a laptop or a tablet.

The price is also very disappointing The Surface starts at $499 the same as the latest iPad. But at this price the Surface doesn’t even come with the keyboard cover which turns it into a laptop so it’s largely irrelevant as this is pretty much a necessity. For that it’s $100 more. At such a high price it’s difficult to see the Surface making big inroads with so many other great cheaper alternatives. Neverthless as Jaroslovsky says Microsoft get points for being bold, and the $499 version of the Surface has already sold out. The jury is still out for the moment but the first opinions suggest this product is in danger of being a flop.

Apple iPad 3 and iPad 4 Anger Latest – Exclusive – Apples Major Blunder and What You Need to Do to Upgrade

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As you probably know, along with launching the iPad mini yesterday, Apple also launched a major update to the iPad 3. Understandably, many people who just bought an iPad 3 are very upset that there product is immediately and unexpectedly out of date. See our full earlier article here for more.

At the moment the situation is unclear. There are reports that one Apple shop will give you a free upgrade if you bought the iPad 3 less than 30 days ago. This represents an extension to the standard 14 day return policy. However you’re still not going to be happy if you bought it 31,32 days ago etc. days ago.Today we tried to get to the bottom of the matter.

Our Findings

We bought an iPad 3 in early October (Outside the 14 day but inside the 30 day policy). We first called the Apple care centre. They told us it was a false rumour that there was a new iPad and that we were not entitled to a refund or an upgrade. This was  frustrating and irritating to say the least. However we had more success when we called the store where we’d bought the iPad from. They told us that if we returned the iPad to the store within thirty days of our purchase they would be happy to refund us.

So that’s what we did. We went into the store and explained the situation. The staff were helpful and friendly as always but initially reluctant. In fact we had to be pretty insistent (and point out that we’d already been offered a refund on the phone) before they  offered us a refund. There was no way to pre-order or upgrade we could only get a refund. The member of staff said to us, ‘We don’t really have a clear policy and we’re not sure what’s happening at the moment’. So we got our refund.

What You Need to Do

You need to call the store where you bought it and insist on an upgrade/refund. If your iPad was bought longer than 30 days ago you may struggle. I would try and call the store first, get the name of the person you spoke to and then go into the store in person. Try and not put this off as you don’t want to go over the thirty day period.

What is going on?

Apple’s management has really screwed up on this one. Apple should have predicted this before the launch and certainly should have had a clear policy in place by today. What’s obvious is that no one has any idea what’s going on and store managers seem to have been left to fend for themselves. This is a PR disaster.

Apple may be trying to ignore this and hope it goes away. In my opinion that’s a very poor strategy. They fear a mass recall of iPad 3s. Going by recent sales, 5 million iPad 3s might be eligible for a recall within the 30 day period. That’s a lot of iPads for a product which is no longer supposed to sold. It would be a big problem but Apple needs to bite the bullet on this one. At the moment a lot of people are upset and they risk doing lasting damage to the brand.

What’s clear is they didn’t plan for this. What a terrible strategy to offer us a refund and not an upgrade. We might take that money and spend it elsewhere (such is the strength of the product we won’t). There should have been a clear way to upgrade.

This incident raises serious questions about Apples strategy and its management. Where is the leadership?

Celebrities Out In Force For Launch Of Portobello Road Salon

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CELEBRITIES ARE OUT IN FORCE FOR THE LAUNCH OF NEW PORTOBELLO ROAD SALON ‘SEALED WITH A LONDON KISS’

Last night saw Millie Mackintosh, Imogen Thomas, Misha B and Ianthe Rose, hit West London for the official opening of SWALK Salon. Guests were treated to champagne and canapés whilst being pampered with manicures and eyelash extensions at the new salon based in the heart of Portobello Road, Notting Hill. It was battle of the Made in Chelsea girls; old vs. new. Millie proved she is still Chelsea’s number one, making a statement in an over-sized fur stole. Where as new girl Ianthe proved she has a lot of learn about show business as she opted for casual jeans. After launching her Millie Mackintosh for Nouveau Lashes collection a few weeks back, Millie was proud to unveil her Portobello lash within the new salon. Imogen Thomas glowed, showing off her forever growing bump in a tight t-shirt dress and knee high boots and Misha B spent the evening gossiping with guests about her up coming tour with Nicki Minaj. It was the first time Millie Mackintosh and Imogen Thomas have come face to face since the Radio 1 prank Professor Green pulled on the pair. Awkward glances were exchanged and both parties spent the evening on opposite sides of the room.The alternative hair and beauty salon SWALK offers a wide variety of treatments. Owned by three ambitious sisters, Lavenna, Corrine and Akiela, the trendy salon occupies two treatment rooms, a spray tanning area, hair weaving and extensions room as well as a beauty boutique and hair floor. It is to set to be the beauty and hair destination for all.

Apple’s iPad 4 has Caused it a Huge Headache as Angry iPad 3 Owners Demand Justice

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Update – Our Investigation and What You Need to Do to Upgrade.

Apple just caused itself a huge unnecessary headache by bringing out the iPad 4. It’s not really a complete new iPad but more of a minor upgrade to the iPad 3.

The new iPad features a new A6 chip which Apple claims is twice as fast as the old A5. It also has twice as fast wi-fi, LTE connectivity and the new lightening connector charger which also charges the new iPhone and iPods. All of this is at the same $499 price.

The trouble is these are actually really significant differences and everyone who just bought an iPad 3 is extremely and understandably upset. As one person on twitter said the new iPad 4 chip will be powered by the tears of iPad 3 owners. In the end though consumers may actually be the ones to benefit. There are already reports that one Apple shop will give you a free upgrade if you bought the iPad3 less than 30 days ago. And if one Apple store is, it’s pretty certain they all will. However you’re still not going to be happy if you bought it 31,32 etc days ago.

My guess is that millions of iPads could be exchanged and this could end up damaging Apples brand and costing them a fortune.

My questions, why did Apple do this? Has it planned for the consequences? Where on earth does this leave the iPad 2? What happens to all the returned iPad 3s?

Part of the reason Apple has done this, is that it fears the new iPad mini will start cannibalising sales of the larger iPad. If this happens it could significantly cut into Apples margins. They felt they had to offer something extra to encourage people to spend the extra money and go for the larger version.

Of course the other reason is that this keeps Apple even further ahead of the competition. But has it planned for the upset iPad 3 owners? My guess is no, because the lack of clarity and the strange inconsistent messages we’re getting from Apple stores. If that’s the case it’s a big mistake and Apple has made a huge strategic error. But Apple must have planned for the large number of iPad3’s, it must have sitting in its inventory at the moment, which are now obsolete.  So what happens to them all.

The trouble is the iPad 3 is too similar to the iPad 4 to conveniently drop it into a lower price category. That would hurt margins and only upset iPad 3 buyers even more. Moreover this would also kill the iPad 2 and then its price would have to be dropped as well. So how does Apple offload the iPad 3? Could they be sent back to the factory and upgraded cheaply? If that’s the case the situation might not be to bad. The next few days will tell us a lot more.

Apple store iPad comparison

The iPad 2 pricing is also messed up in my mind. The iPad 2 now seems very expensive when it is only $100 more for an iPad4.

Apples share price is down 3% today. This is largely because it slipped out during the presentation that Apple had only sold 15 million iPads in the fourth quarter as opposed to the 18 million expected by analysts. But a better reason in my mind is the confusion between the iPad 4 and iPad 3. What a bizzare situation. Apple has damaged itself by releasing a better product at the same price.

Despite all this I felt the presentation was impressive. It is amazing how many new things Apple has announced in the last two months. The new 5mm iMac was particularly incredible, more impressive than the mini iPad in my opinion.

 

 

 

Andy Bates Recipe Videos Special.

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Andy Bates is known for his hearty, traditional British street food. Starting work in kitchens at 14 (before getting the chance at 17 to work in a Michelin-starred restaurant), Andy went on to study at a catering college in Canterbury. He then headed to France to hone his skills in French cuisine. Now, his company, Eat My Pies, produces classic Scotch eggs, pies and tarts which are sold on his stand at White Cross street market.

We have some amazing videos from Andy. Happy cooking.

You can watch Andy Bates American Street Feasts on Food Network UK (Freeview 48 and Sky 262/263). You can also find more of his recipes at www.FoodNetwork.co.uk

Cerviche Tacos

 

Philly Steak Pasty

Key Lime Pie

Smoke Roasted Trout

Pork Belly & Waldorf Salad Pretzel

London’s First Art Busker

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One of Britain’s most aspiring young contemporary artists has become the capital’s first ever art busker, hitting the concourse at London St. Pancras station to capture still life scenes for public entertainment.

Rosie Emerson, whose work has appeared in Vogue and is billed as ‘beautiful, original and highly collectable’ shunned her studio for one of the UK’s busiest railway stations, swapping a guitar for canvas, easel and a life model to perform for an estimated 100,000 commuters as they made their way to work on Monday morning.

Regular visitors to St. Pancras will be used to seeing independent musicians in the popular busking spot but this is the first time an artist has taken up the iconic space. The unique performance precedes the opening of the Affordable Art Fair which launches in the capital this Thursday.

Rosie, who has exhibited widely in the UK, as well as in Europe and the US, donated the £205.40 made during her busking session to the Affordable Art Fair’s chosen charities; Caring for Courage and Keats Community Library.
Rosie comments, “I loved seeing all the surprised looks from people rushing to work when confronted with an artist and a life model busking. Why should busking be limited to musicians? I think my artistic interpretation turned heads and got people talking! I’m looking forward to displaying my work at the Affordable Art Fair and delighted to have raised so much money for worthy causes whilst having such fun.”

Nicky Wheeler, MD of the Affordable Art Fair UK said “We decided to bring the excitement of the Affordable Art Fair to the streets of London and remind the capital that creativity is all around us every day. Rosie brightened up a grey and rainy morning for commuters and we hope she has inspired a few people to pick up a paintbrush or start up an art collection of their own as a result.”

Rosie will be one of hundreds of artists whose work will be on sale to the public at the upcoming Affordable Art Fair, taking place in Battersea Park (25-28 October) and Hampstead Heath (1-4 November).

Win a pair of tickets to the comedy event of the year

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Friends of the Earth has announced the comedy event of the year, and Frost Magazine has tickets to giveaway:

COMEDY STARS JOSH WIDDECOMBE, TONY LAW & DANNY BHOY JOIN ED BYRNE AND STEWART LEE

FOR LAUGH OR THE POLAR BEAR GETS IT 2012

Thursday 22nd November, Hammersmith Apollo

Tickets: 0844 2491000 www.eventim.co.uk

www.foe.co.uk/polarbear

#PolarBear

 

Three superb new acts have joined the stellar line-up at this year’s Laugh or the Polar Bear Gets It (a Friends of the Earth benefit gig), Hammersmith Apollo 22nd November. Set to be another year of world-saving japery, the line-up now includes: Josh Widdicombe- star of The Last Leg (C4) and Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Tony Law and Danny Bhoy, as featured on The Late Show with David Letterman & Live at the Apollo (BBC One).

Already on-board to create another show-stopping event are Stewart Lee, Ed Byrne, Dan Antopolski and Francesca Martinez, with more exciting names to be released.

Tim Minchin said of last year’s show: “This show’s titular threat is deadly serious. If you don’t come and laugh, we have an actual metaphorical polar bear and it is seriously going to get ‘it’. Luckily, we are not worried, because (a) the line-up is excellent, and (b) we don’t know what it’s a metafor phor.”

In its third year, Laugh or the Polar Bear Gets It will not only provide you with a whale of a time, but will go a long way in supporting Friends of the Earth’s mission to promote a positive relationship between people and the environment.

 

Friends of the Earth says:

“For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.

Please note that unfortunately due to a previous illness and the consequent rescheduling of tour dates Beardyman will no longer be able to perform on the line up. He is a huge fan of Laugh or the Polar Bear Gets It and continues to lend his support to Friends of the Earth and its causes.”

Laugh or the Polar Bear Gets It

Hammersmith Apollo, Tickets from £25.00, Doors open 6.30PM 0844 2491000www.eventim.co.uk

 

To win just follow Frost Magazine on twitter at @Frostmag and tweet, ‘I want to go to the comedy gig of the year with @Frostmag.’ or  join our newsletter. We won’t spam you.

5 Top Songs for Your First Wedding Dance

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Getting married is often one of the best days in a person’s life. It’s a day where partners affirm their love for one another, make important vows to stay together for the rest of their lives, and spend the day in company of their nearest and dearest.

If you’re already married, I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to exactly what I’m talking about, but if you’re waiting to marry The One, you’ve got all of the excitement to come.

Organising the perfect wedding takes months of meticulous planning; with every tiny aspect to consider, from flowers, the dress, venue hire and even what wedding favours to choose, it’s easy to get lost in the thickness of the wedding planning jungle. In fact, you’ve got so lost amongst all of these details that you’ve completely forgotten one of the finer details of the big day; the first dance song.

The first dance at a wedding is often an intimate moment for those getting married, with many often choosing a song that personally relates to their relationship. However, it’s not unusual for a couple not to have a chosen song for their big day, preferring to opt for just a simple, classic love song.

So, if you’ve got your dream day coming up and are completely stuck for ideas when choosing your first wedding dance song, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. The Wannadies – You & Me Song

Forget the usual slow-dance love song. This classic song starts with a fairly slow tempo, but as soon as the chorus kicks in, it’s a great first dance song for those who want to have a bit more fun with their loved one.

With its lyrics “you and me, always, and forever”, it’ll be the perfect fit for your special day.

2. Robbie Williams – She’s The One

When hiring a wedding DJ for your entertainment, it’s pretty likely that there’ll be a Robbie Williams song somewhere in the playlist.  And, you can’t get a more romantic song than this classic. If you and your partner are after that perfect slow dance song, then this should definitely be a contender.

3. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

It’s probably one of the most dramatic ballads ever written, and it’s because of this that it’s one of the most popular song choices for wedding first dances. With the poignant message lying in the title itself, it’s utterly romantic for your big day.

4. Take That – Rule The World

Ah, Take That; the ultimate boyband. They’ve churned out plenty of love songs throughout their time. But, rather than choosing the classic ‘Back for Good’, or ‘A Million Love Songs’, this relatively new track is a great alternative to many of the frequently chosen, older tracks.

5. Florence and The Machine – You’ve Got The Love

Whether you choose Florence’s version, or the original by The Source ft. Candi Staton, this song is fast becoming a popular choice for the first dance. Similarly to The Wannadies ‘You & Me Song’, its upbeat tempo allows couples to have a little more fun on the dance floor, whilst still having the romantic, meaningful lyrics.

 

If you are getting married then get your hands on a copy of The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity. It has great advice on planning your perfect wedding and is written by our editor, Catherine Balavage. It is also available in Ebook format and is a great guide for wedding planning.