Hasta La Gadget!

We heard a few days ago that retailers were beginning to discount Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet, but it wasn’t clear if this was a retailer-focused sale, or if Microsoft was beginning to discount its lower-end tablet line altogether. However, Microsoft officially lowered the price of the Surface RT to a mere $349 in Microsoft Stores.

The entry-level 32GB model costs only $349, which is a discount of $150 from the original $499 price tag. As for the 64GB version, that’s now selling for $449 (originally $599). Both Best Buy and Staples also have the discounts up and ready to go, although they jumped the gun a bit early a couple days ago.

However, Staples noted that the sale lasted until July 20 (or while supplies last), but Microsoft’s website lists no specific end date, suggesting that the price drop may be permanent, which would officially undercut its main competitor by a whopping $150. This could lead to tablet buyers taking a second look at the Surface RT.

We’ve similar deals in the past from Microsoft, but this could be an attempt by the company to clear inventory and make room for a second-generation device. We’ve heard very few rumors about a refreshed Surface slate, only hearing that we would see one at last month’s BUILD conference (which didn’t happen), but we could still see it later on this year.

Windows RT has largely been ignored lately, with most users more interested in the Surface Pro with a full copy of Windows 8 installed. We’re not sure what the second-generation Surface will include, but we wouldn’t be too unhappy if Microsoft went ahead and ousted Windows RT in favor of full support for Windows 8 Pro.

VIA: Computerworld

SOURCE: Microsoft Store

Microsoft Surface RT discount official is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft might not be seeing the sales numbers it hoped to for its Surface RT, because according to The Verge, it’s readying substantial price cuts across its debut tablet. In short, the cheapest option (a 32GB Surface RT) could reach $350, while adding a Touch Cover will land at $100 more to $450. Doubling storage to 64GB will cost $450, while another hundred bucks will add a Touch Cover there. We’ve been in touch with Microsoft, who told us that it “doesn’t comment on rumor and speculation,” so it’s certainly not set in stone. We’ll let you know when we see an official confirmation.

Update: Staples has confirmed the price cut is coming — this Sunday!

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Source: The Verge

Rumors of a massive reorg in Redmond have been floating around for awhile now. And the noise reached a fever pitch when Don Mattrick left Microsoft for Zygna’s (apparently) greener pastures — purportedly because he didn’t like the role he’d receive in the pending restructuring. Now, a mere ten days after the ex-Xbox chief’s departure, we know what the new Microsoft will look like.

As expected, the company has been bifurcated into services and devices divisions, with Julie Larson-Green getting the nod as hardware chief and Terry Myerson becoming the Grand Poobah of Windows. Of course, quite a few other execs have seen their roles shift as well, with Qi Lu managing productivity, communication and search apps and services, and Satya Nadella heading up the company’s cloud initiatives. Additionally, Skype president Tony Bates has been tapped to manage the Business Development and Evangelism group, where he’ll lead corporate strategy and developer outreach.

There are even more changes afoot. CTO Eric Rudder is now responsible for an Advanced Strategy and Research group and Tami Reller is the new US marketing chief. COO Kevin Turner, CFO Amy Hood, General Counsel Brad Smith and Chief People Officer Lisa Brummel will maintain their current positions. Finally, Office president Kurt DelBene will be retiring from Microsoft, according to the company-wide reorganization email published on the company’s site. So what this all this mean for MS? Hit up the source for a 2,700-word memo detailing Steve Ballmer’s vision.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, Software, Microsoft

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Via: AllThingsD

Source: Microsoft

First revealed late last month in Japan, the 256GB version of Microsoft’s Surface Pro appears to be going on sale in the US, although we haven’t heard any word from Microsoft on the matter. A 256GB variant has showed up on CDW’s website, which is one of Microsoft’s authorized retailers, so we at least know

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Bloomberg is reporting that Microsoft is planning to give its Surface RT tablet an overhaul using chips from Qualcomm.

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