In a partnership of free publicity generosity, Microsoft generously provided CNN’s election night team with free Microsoft Surface 3 tablets, to use them during their coverage.

And use them they did, showing off the Surface’s capabilities to…function as iPad stands.

CNN commentators using Microsoft @surface tablets as iPad stand. Facepalm. pic.twitter.com/BPxWTf2zhI — Adam (@adamUCF) November 5, 2014

Even Jake Tapper, man of integrity, was caught iPading:

Even the good people at CNN who have Microsoft surface tablets in their face hide iPad … – http://t.co/Sz6CpzLrEg pic.twitter.com/7Bam8uyI2G — Melbourneer (@_Melbourneer_) November 5, 2014

Poor Microsoft. Giving CNN an entire Magic Wall and a Bing Pulse, just to be stabbed in the back by Apple fanatics.

Laughably, this is the second time that a Microsoft Surface tablet promotion was thoroughly botched: NFL commentators had to be taught to refer to Surfaces as Surfaces, and not “iPad-like devices.”

And according to some observers, CNN was the only one who bit the Microsoft bait:

Watching CNN because they are using Surfaces. FOX using Macs #Microsoft #surface — Jonathan (@Jonathan1David) November 5, 2014

UPDATE (3:30 PM EST): Tapper responds, pointing out that CNN did use the Surface tablets for their intended purposes.

@tina_nguyen i used the tablet for election data and surfing; i used my ipad for tweeting. also is "caught" really the right word? — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 5, 2014

@tina_nguyen the tablet was utilized all night for exit poll data. All night. Notwithstanding two screenshots. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 5, 2014

[h/t Gizmodo]

[Featured image via screenshot]

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