Apple and Microsoft have started the war of words by criticising each other’s products

Apple iPad mini seems to be repeating the shipping delay pattern of iPhone 5 as the shipping date of the iPad mini was pushed back by two weeks. For users, the delay in iPad mini shipping would be a problem, but from Apple’s point of reference, the company has sold out its initial stock of the 7.9-inch tablet. iPad mini has been the centre of all eyes after its release.

iPad mini LTE variant users will have further delays as the device is expected to ship in mid-November and might arrive on November 23. iPad mini was launched by Apple in two variants, Wi-Fi only model and Wi-Fi/Cellular version. The delivery date of the iPad mini LTE variant coincides with ‘Black Friday’, a day after Thanksgiving, when the shopping frenzy is at its extreme height in the US.

After the release of iPad mini, Microsoft launched its tablet, Surface, which operates on Windows 8. Surface was criticised by Apple CEO, Tim Cook as he said, “I haven’t personally played with the Surface yet, but what we’re reading about it that it’s a fairly compromised, confusing product.”

Microsoft hit back on Apple through price of iPad mini, as the president of Windows and Windows Live, Steven Sinofsky said, “Windows 8 laptops that sell for only $279.00 are fantastic machines and here we are talking about seven-inch recreational tablets for $329.00.” iPad mini prices start from $329 for the 16GB model.

The war of words seems to have sparked between the two giants of the technological industry. The 4th generation iPad was also released at Apple’s event. With iPad mini shipping date being pushed back, Apple needs to devise a strategy for their inventory chain as this is not the first time shipping delays have occurred.

Related:
Apple shows more than little: iPad mini,4th gen iPad, iMac and Macbook Pro
Apple iPad mini and 4th-gen iPad to arrive in UK on EE’s 4G services