Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Takes on Poor, Defenseless Voice in New Ad

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is finding its Windows 8 operating system and its Surface tablet computer having a rough slog of things in this very competitive tech market. Since the new OS and device launched last fall, sales have been … well … can we say modest? Now, with the summer months coming and rumors of new devices being launched by competitors in the coming weeks and months, Microsoft is trying to find some angle in order to get some competitive advantage in the marketplace now while consumers wait for the next great thing.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is taking the angle of going after one of the existing popular devices in the market in its latest video ad. The new ads puts a Microsoft Surface tablet side by side with an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad, and it presents the familiar voice of Siri, the voice assistant. The ad is reported by some to attack Siri in particular, but really the ad compares what the Surface can do that the Apple iPad cannot do, and it uses Siri as the “voice” of the iPad while it “watches” what Surface does.

For example, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) makes note that its Surface can conduct live updates to its tiles, while the iPad cannot do real-time updating of its apps. The ad also shows the Surface utilizing multiple tiles and apps at the same time, which the iPad cannot.

And finally, it shows that the Surface can easily work within PowerPoint, while the iPad struggles. And the kicker at the end is the price comparison – the ad quotes the price of the iPad at about $700 while the Surface retails for about $450. The ad is available on YouTube now and we may begin seeing it on television in the near future.

What are your thoughts about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and its ad campaign for the Surface? Of the actions that show in the ad, which one would you find most useful if you were in the market for a tablet, and would this ad convince you to look at the Surface? Give us you feedback in the comments section below.

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