BBC Knowledge April 2017

4242

NEW

TECH

ON THE

BLOCK

B

OTH Apple and Microsoft have launched

new flagship computers, in the form of

the new MacBook Pro and the Surface

Studio. While the two products aren’t

direct competitors, both sport a number

of technological innovations that open up new fronts

in the two companies’ eternal battle.

In Apple’s case, the headline news is the introduction

of the new Touch Bar that runs along the top of the

keyboard (though this is absent from the entry-level

13-inch model). This touch-sensitive OLED strip replaces

the function keys with context-specific buttons and

menus that appear depending on what software you’re

using at the time. It’s designed to eliminate the need to

remember keyboard shortcuts, and will also show iOS-

style Quick Typing suggestions. If you’re attached

With new flagship machines just

announced by both companies,

the old rivalry is heating up

APPLE VS

MICROSOFT

(AGA I N!)

| GADGETS

ON THE SHELVES

42 April 2017