EDITOR ROSS ARMOUR THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 5 \'< >» » By JENNIFER THUNCHER ust in time for Christmas, Apple and Microsoft have released new tablets. The iPad Mini is smaller and lighter than the Microsoft Surface while the Surface has more screen space and a larger memory. The Mini has a seven-inch screen and costs $329. The Mini has 1 GB of RAM. It runs on IOS 6, as does the larger version of iPad, and includes 1080p HD video. “T wonder whether we need a tablet smaller than the regular iPad that isn’t as cheap as the competition?” said Nora Young, host and creator of CBC Radio’s Spark, in a email. She said the Mini is a way for Apple to compete with Android and Amazon’s Kindle. Fekete Istvan, technology writer for jaxov.com, also has issues with the clarity of the Mini. “When I compare it with the iPad with Retina display [iPad 3], it isahuge step back. Anyone who has held the new iPad in his [or] her hands knows that it can’t go back to the non Retina display,” said Istvan by email. The $519 Microsoft Surface has a 10- inch screen. The Surface boasts twice the amount of RAM as the Mini with 2 GB. It runs the new Windows 8 and has 720p HD video. Both products are sold at Oakridge Centre in Vancouver and at Metrotown mall in Burnaby. Peter Baker, Langara computer sci- ence instructor, doesn’t think the Sur- face will succeed. He says the product JENNIFER THUNCHER photo A Microsoft sales representative poses alongside the company’s new Surface tablet at Metrotown mall in Burnaby Tech giants air new gadgets Microsoft releases latest Surface tablet to rival Apple’s 1Pad mini is marketed towards youth. “But to date I see few of the applica- tions the youth market would use avail- able via the Microsoft store,” said Bak- er. The Surface does not have a Facebook application while the Mini does. General studies student Henry Lee was less convinced about the new of- ferings, “No, I have the new iPad so not interested [in the Mini]. It is just small- er.” Lee also said he would not consid- er buying the Surface. Langara astronomy instructor Bradley Hughes has an entirely different take on the release of these two new tablets. “Another symptom of capitalism’s need to endlessly produce goods we don’t need,” he said. 66 Another symptom of capital- ism’s need to endless- ly produce goods we don’t need BRADLEY HUGHES, Langara astronomy instructor Material world the rage no more Green shift promotes giving experiences instead of presents this Christmas By ANNIE ELLISON ing how Grandma fit a 15 hectare paintball under the tree, or why a Paul McCartney is in Mom’s stocking. In an eco-friendly shift, gift-givers are breaking away from buying and wrapping purchased experiences rath- er than material objects for presents. “T look at that mountain of wrapping paper and think ‘how many trees have given their lives for this?” said envi- ronmental studies instructor Frank Williams. Experiences as gifts can range from bungee jumping or concert tickets to a spa day or yoga membership, none of which require wrapping paper or fake smiles. Cooking classes are a popular choice at the Dirty Apron cooking school, which offers classes and gift-experi- ence vouchers. “After a certain age, it’s about the memories more than the presents. When you open gifts, what you really have is that memory of Christmas morning,” said general manager Callie Cooper. “People have a great memory that they can take and recreate at home,” she said. Both come in an envelope but a con- ventional gift card is apparently not as enticing as a voucher for an experi- ence. Millions of dollars in gift cards go unspent every year, while Cooper says customers are redeeming their cook- ing classes “right away.” After taking a cooking class, com- merce student Kaitlyn Kuipers sees ex- periences as easier to give than mate- rial gifts. “If you want something, you just go get it,” she said. We may not be as like- ly to buy experiences for ourselves. However, Williams warns shoppers of “greenwashing,” as there are no le- gal regulations for what qualifies as green. Some experiences have less environ- mental impact than material gifts, but not all. “Skydiving, going up into the airina small plane, I don’t see that as terribly green,” said Williams. Regardless, a gift that requires no storage in Vancouver carries an added bonus. Te: Christmas, kids will be wonder- Retailers begin Christmas sales to entice cash-ins Black November theme sparks a shopping frenzy in the hope of advertising cut price deals for customers prior to holiday season By RYAN BANAGAN bothersome enough to keep you from last minute Christmas shop- ping, maybe the idea of saving money will. As November begins, so do the sales. It used to be common for retailers to wait until Black Friday (Nov. 23) to put merchandise on sale, however that is no longer the case. “Beginning in 2010, we now have Black November. That’s right; the one day event is now 30 days long,” said Marianne Bickle, chair of the retailing department at the University of South Carolina. Until a couple of years ago, Black I: big crowds and long lines aren’t Friday wasn’t that popular in Canada, but times have changed. Retailers are finding that promoting their products throughout the holiday season starting Nov. 1, benefits them as well as the consumer. “Black November gives us an entire month of shopping frenzy, sales, pro- motions and holiday cheer,” Bickle added. A reason why retailers are market- ing like this is to increase traffic and build consumer excitement. This is one of the biggest challenges any business faces according to Bickle. Without people going into stores, or more recently shopping online, sales can’t be made. As a result, consumers sometimes need a reminder about holiday shop- ping. One way retailers do this is by deco- rating their storefront windows or by sending out sale fliers with morning papers. Another reason why retailers are promoting their products earlier is to entice purchasing behaviour. Black November is designed to stim- ulate non-gift purchases, according to National Retail Federation president Matthew Shay. “Retailers are already offering pro- motions on everyday items that bud- get-conscious shoppers know their friends and family members can wear or use on a daily basis,” Shay said in an NRF article released in 2012 that dis- cussed the topic of retail promotions and holiday deals. [i peel = “4% | yD AS — L A RYAN BANAGAN photo Christmas goods on display at a local Starbucks