( CNN ) -- A Microsoft executive took to the tech giant 's official blog Wednesday to take an uncharacteristically direct shot at rival Apple . `` Seems like the RDF ( Reality Distortion Field ) typically generated by an Apple event has extended beyond Cupertino , '' wrote Frank Shaw , Microsoft 's vice president of communications . `` So let me try to clear some things up . '' Shaw was referring to coverage of Apple 's rollout of two new iPads -- the iPad Air and revamped iPad Mini -- and other announcements . Among them was news that the company will begin giving away its iWork suite of productivity apps for free . `` Now , since iWork has never gotten much traction , and was already priced like an afterthought , it 's hardly that surprising or significant a move , '' Shaw said . `` So , when I see Apple drop the price of their struggling , lightweight productivity apps , I do n't see a shot across our bow . I see an attempt to play catch up . '' Apple did not respond to a request for comment for this story . Shaw is pressing one of Microsoft 's remaining advantages over its rival . While Apple has dominated the mobile field and made strides in computer sales , Microsoft Office -- which includes tools like Word , Excel , PowerPoint , Outlook and Skype -- is still viewed as the far superior productivity product by most . The `` reality distortion field '' Shaw referenced is a catchphrase often used by Apple critics to describe the sometimes breathless coverage the company gets in the tech press and elsewhere for even minor announcements or upgrades to existing products . `` Perhaps attendees at Apple 's event were required to work on iOS devices that do n't allow them to have two windows open for side-by-side comparisons , '' he said in another dig . Shaw went on to compare Microsoft 's tablets , the Surface and Surface 2 , favorably to the iPad . He noted that the Surface tablets are less expensive than comparable iPad models , offer more storage and come with full versions of Office 2013 for free . His claims are accurate . But they do n't change the fact that the Surface has struggled to make a splash in a tablet market that the iPad continues to dominate . Earlier this month , documents revealed Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer saw a bonus check docked because of lower than expected Surface sales . Meanwhile , at Tuesday 's event , Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that 170 million iPads have been sold since the device was introduced in 2010 . He said studies show 81 % of all tablet usage happens on an iPad , despite recent gains by Samsung and others making tablets running Google 's Android operating system .
Microsoft VP : ` ` Reality distortion field '' surrounds Apple this week . Vice President David Shaw said Apple is ` ` struggling , lightweight '' This week , Apple announced iWork will be offered for free .