Microsoft Exec Calls Apple Apps 'Struggling' and 'Lightweight'

A new rivalry between Apple and Microsoft appears to be simmering now that both companies are competing for the hearts and minds of tablet consumers.

See also: The 11 Worst Things About iOS 7

A fresh volley was delivered on Wednesday when Microsoft's corporate vice-president of communications, Frank Shaw, posted a message to the Redmond, Wash. company's official blog.

Directly referencing Apple's announcement on Tuesday that iWork and iLife will now come free with the purchase of every new Mac or iOS device, Shaw wrote:

Since iWork has never gotten much traction, and was already priced like an afterthought, it's hardly that surprising or significant a move. And it doesn't change the fact that it's much harder to get work done on a device that lacks precision input and a desktop for true side-by-side multitasking.

That scathing passage was followed by a detailed list of reasons why, according to Shaw, the Surface is superior to Apple's iPad. Hitting on points including price, hardware and software, the post is possibly one of the most direct assaults against the iPad that Microsoft has made since the debut of the original Surface last year.

Of course, we've seen Microsoft take jabs at Apple before. As recently as last May, Microsoft produced a commercial that placed a Windows 8 tablet beside an iPad, comparing them to humorous effect. However, this latest message indicates that the playful jabbing may be turning into a bona fide platform war.

Saving his best barb for last, Shaw wrote, "When I see Apple drop the price of their struggling, lightweight productivity apps, I don't see a shot across our bow, I see an attempt to play catch up."

But despite the passionate and detailed post, which makes a decent argument for Microsoft's Surface tablets and associated software, it's consumer tastes — not rallying cries for any particular product — that will ultimately decide the fortunes of both tablet platforms.

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BONUS: 5 Unusual Ways to Use Apple's iPad [VIDEOS]

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2. 2. In Zero Gravity

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3. 3. During Surgery

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4. 4. As a Menu

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5. 5. As an Encore

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6. BONUS: As a Chopping Board

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Image: Flickr, mbiebusch