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Updated iPad Offers Microsoft (and the Industry) Mostly the Same Target

The new iPad leaves Microsoft some breathing room.

Granted, the higher-resolution display, the 4G networking, the improved camera, the new dictation capabilities and the other features of the new Apple iPad unveiled today all look compelling.

iPad
Apple's third-generation iPad with 4G. (Source: Apple)

But given Apple's roughly once-a-year release cycle for iPads, this is probably the last release before Microsoft comes out with its tablet-focused version of Windows. (The Windows 8 beta was released at the end of February.)

While an iterative iPad release is nice and should help Apple continue to fend off Android-based tablet rivals, it also means that Apple isn't changing the game completely once again before Microsoft takes a turn.

Microsoft may not be able to do any better against Apple than anyone else has so far in the tablet world. At least, though, Microsoft will be taking its shot against the device it has targeted all along. No need for a Windows Vista-esque, pre-release course correction.

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Posted by Scott Bekker on March 07, 2012


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