Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft has announced that Windows 8.1 will be arriving on October 17th (well, in the US, anyway), confirming an earlier rumor of a mid-month launch. For some reason, the company’s specified an exact release time of 12am on October 18th in New Zealand, which is 4am PT or 7am ET on October 17th. At that time, the free update will begin rolling out across local Windows Stores, and will be available “at retail and on new devices” from the 18th onwards, depending on your region. Check out our hands-on and subsequent coverage for an idea of what to expect from the update.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Software, Microsoft

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Source: Microsoft

We’ve already heard about Windows RT’s “modest” beginning, and now there’s talk full-blown Windows 8 ain’t flying off the shelves either. According to MS aficionado Paul Thurrott and one of his “most trusted sources,” uptake of the new OS isn’t hitting Redmond‘s targets, with the blame being put on OEMs and their “inability to deliver” more inspiring hardware with better availability. Some corroboration of Windows 8’s tricky birth comes from Merle McIntosh, senior VP of product management of NewEgg, who says the online retailer was “prepared for an explosion” at launch, but that sales have “been slow going” to date. However, he says that early sales figures shouldn’t be compared to Windows 7, since that OS arrived to “solve a Vista problem.” He expects Windows 8 to gain traction in Q2 2013 when “pricing normalizes,” which would certainly help to temper any launch frustrations.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software, Microsoft

Windows 8 sales have been ‘slow going,’ Microsoft said to be blaming OEMs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That special moment has come which usually rolls around only once every three years: Microsoft has released a new version of Windows. For the version 8 update, though, the stakes are higher than ever. Redmond isn’t just trying to convince legions of existing Windows users that they should break their PC update cycles. It’s trying to reclaim a foothold in a tablet space that’s now dominated by Apple and Google — and it’s dipping into self-designed computers for the first time with a Surface tablet that theoretically represents Microsoft’s perfect vision. But how well is Windows 8 resonating with you? Did you download a copy as soon as the servers were warmed up, or do you see it as a calamity that restricts a perfectly good platform? Sound off in our poll and in the comments below.

[Image credit: Steven Sinofsky, SkyDrive]

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Filed under: Desktops, Tablets, Software, Microsoft

Windows 8 is in stores today — are you buying a copy? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking for a gaming tablet you can really grab? Don’t look at the latest FCC filings then — Federal regulators appear to have snagged some exclusive hands-on time with Razer’s upcoming Project Fiona, and its trademark handlebars are nowhere in sight. The nunchuck-esque controllers we saw at CES didn’t make it in the FCC’s label location outline (seen above), but an attached accessory list makes note of a Razer-branded controller, powered by a 2800mAh battery, hinting that this prototype’s gamepads might well be independent or detachable. The same document lists a 5600mAh battery for the tablet itself, as well as a model number: RZ09-0093.

The Federal documents show a heavily redesigned device, falling in line with Razer’s recent community campaign: CEO Min-Liang Tan has been asking fans to help design Project Fiona on his Facebook page. Over the past several weeks, the community has weighed in on accessories, price, CPU / GPU configurations and more. This FCC prototype may not be the final design, but if nothing else, it’s proof that the device is evolving. Check out the Government’s inside scoop for yourself at the source link below.

Filed under: Gaming, Tablets

Razer’s gaming tablet drops by the FCC, leaves handles at home originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want an early glimpse of the VivoTab RT without having to attend ASUS’ special event? Thanks to our tipster, you’ve got it. An Office Depot has received at least one example of the Windows RT slate a full three days in advance. The short impressions: it’s an “awesome” Tegra 3-packing tablet, although the OS reportedly chews up more than half of the 32GB of storage, and USB depends on an adapter if you’re not relying on the keyboard. While price wasn’t immediately available, we’re not expecting retail to deviate greatly from the $599 pre-order formula.

Filed under: Tablets, ASUS

ASUS VivoTab RT pops up early at Office Depot, teases our Windows RT future originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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