CNN Reporters Hide Apple iPad Behind Microsoft Surface Pro 3 On Live TV

A New iPad Is Seen Following A Presentation At Apple Headquarters — IN PHOTO: A new iPad is seen following a presentation at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California October 16, 2014. Reuters/Robert Galbraith

Microsoft has recently signed a deal with CNN regarding the company's latest product, Surface Pro 3. According to the mutual partnership between CNN and Microsoft, the news network's anchors will be provided with Surface Pro 3 tablets to be used during live TV newscasts. Such arrangement would serve as an advertisement for Microsoft's latest 2-in-1 device Surface Pro 3, also known as the "laptop killer." In an unusual turn of events, however, a recent live broadcast showed CNN anchors using the Surface tablet as a stand for Apple's iPad.

Apparently, the CNN news network was busy hosting the election night live broadcast on Nov. 4. During the broadcast, the camera gradually focused on the anchors' and journalists' devices, which clearly showed that they were using Apple iPads. The iPads were hidden behind Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, utilising the kickstand of the Pro 3 as a support to their Apple device. Twitter users were quick to share the news on the social media site, according to Phone Arena.

The Surface Pro 3 is known for its flexibility; it can be used as a tablet as well as a laptop, with the help of the detachable kickstand and keyboard, making the device perfect for both work and play. According to Phone Arena's report, the company stated that the Surface Pro 3 is outselling its predecessors Surface Pro and Pro 2. However, the company did not reveal the exact sales numbers to corroborate the claim.

From an outsiders' perspective, the adoption rate of the Redmond-based company's latest device is quite slow, says the same site. This is predominantly because of the concerns with the tablet's optional keyboard, which needs to be purchased separately. In general, the device itself is very costly, with the base model starting at 799 USD. Furthermore, the Pro 3 is reportedly not very comfortable to work on, especially when the device is on the user's lap. However, Microsoft claims that the device is as easy to hold and work on like a typical laptop, as further reported by Phone Arena. In fact, Microsoft reportedly introduced a new metric called "lapability" as it showcased the device.

On the other hand, there is no information available yet to ascertain if the CNN management knows about the anchors using the iPads in place of the Surface tablets. However, the incident is clearly embarrassing for Microsoft, as Phone Arena suggested. Below is one of the many tweets that exploded regarding the incident.