Apr 11
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Microsoft is currently developing a new line of Surface tablets, including a 7-inch version which should go into mass production later this year. More »
Apr 11
Steve Jobs famously mentioned that 7-inch tablets would be DOA – Dead On Arrival, and how he must be rolling in his grave when he realizes that his beloved Apple did conform to popular opinion by rolling out the iPad mini. Granted, it isn’t 7” exactly per se, but you get the idea that even Apple thinks there is a market for a smaller sized tablet. None of Microsoft’s founders said anything of that sort, so we are not surprised at all to hear that The Wall Street Journal has reported that Microsoft is currently working on a 7-inch Surface tablet that will run on the Windows RT operating system.
At this point in time, there are no Windows-based devices in this particular category, considering how the operating system itself was not optimized for a device with this screen size. Earlier reports do point to the future Windows Blue update being optimized to handle 7” media tablets, and we wait with bated breath to see what other rabbits will Microsoft pull out of their proverbial hat in the year to come. Do you think a 7” Windows RT tablet is going to be able to sell well?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: SmartQ N10 Tablet Sports Custom Case, Nexus 10 Covers Arrive At The Play Store At Last, 
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Apr 10
Sources have tipped off The Wall Street Journal about a new line of Surface tablets being produced by Microsoft, these ones measuring in at 7-inches and being slated for production some time towards the end of 2013. Expounding on this was one source who said the 7-inch line of Surface devices is a somewhat knee-jerk reaction by Microsoft, whose plans didn’t include them last year, to the popularity of competing 7-inch slates.
Microsoft has felt the pressure imposed by devices like Apple’s iPad Mini and Google’s Nexus 7, prompting company executives to nudge a line of smaller tablets into production as consumers flock towards sub-8-inch slates. Such a move is an effort to keep pace in a market that is quickly distancing itself from the once top-dog tech company as users gravitate from PCs to mobile devices and consumers fail to embrace Windows 8.
We’ve noted many times over recent months that PC sales are down, and according to more than one authority on the matter, those sales numbers may never recover. In addition, Microsoft’s Surface tablets didn’t take off too well, with consumers being confused about the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 and shying away from the relatively high prices.
Stepping into the smaller tablet market is certainly not a bad thing for the company, but Microsoft is late to the game and is already being dominated by iOS and Android, which hold the majority of the market. The sources didn’t give a hard date for when production of the 7-inch Surface tablets will start, nor did they elaborate on hardware or price.
[via Wall Street Journal]
Microsoft reportedly planning 7-inch line of Surface tablets is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 10
WSJ: Microsoft’s next generation of Surface tablets includes a 7-inch version
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Wonder what a Nexus 7 / Kindle Fire / iPad Mini fighter from Microsoft would look like? You may find out soon, as the Wall Street Journal has just posted a “breaking news” alert that it’s heard Microsoft is developing a new lineup of Surface tablets (which it’s confirmed before) including a 7-inch version, which it expects to take into mass production later this year. We’ve seen hints of smaller tablets already, with recent Windows 8 policy changes allowing devices featuring lower-res screens. It’s filled out a few other details now, crediting the info to unnamed sources familiar with its product plans who claim Microsoft realized it needed something to compete with the smaller competition (shocker). The report ends with a footnote on the rumored Microsoft-branded phone, which is said to still be in testing but component suppliers are not sure if it will actually come to market. While we wait for further updates, consider this your opportunity to make suggestions on what should change in Redmond’s second assault on slates.
Apr 09
Microsoft releases Surface RT and Pro updates, aims to fix WiFi issues again
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Surface RT devices have already scored two updates that aim to fix problems with ‘limited’ WiFi connectivity, and now Microsoft is pushing out a third patch that aims to put its wireless troubles to rest. Redmond’s fresh code also beefs up support for a “wide range” of access points and stomps out system crashes caused by some WiFi issues. As for Surface Pro, its own April update smoothes out Surface Type and Touch cover connectivity kinks, adds support for Japanese keyboards on North American hardware, stomps a bug that disables the WiFi driver when airplane mode is toggled and addresses an issue with touch navigation in the UEFI boot menu. Microsoft’s remedy should get sucked down to your slate automatically, but you can grab it by hand through Windows Update as well.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Via: The Register
Source: Microsoft (1), (2)
Mar 27
Microsoft has finally picked up a patent for their Microsoft Touch Cover, thanks to the good people over at the US Patent and Trademark Office who were the ones who granted this particular patent. If one were to be more specific, it would boil down to Microsoft’s design of the Touch Cover itself that picked up this particular patent, alongside the design that makes up the magnetic base for the cover that enables it to quickly and tightly hook up the Surface tablet to itself. Microsoft’s research team turned this magnetic bonding between the tablet and the Touch Cover, showing it off in its two main Surface TV ads, where one of them would include the Surface Pro commercial that aired in February.
In fact, Microsoft was not short on promotional material where the Touch Cover is concerned, touting it to be one of the most unique features that can be found on the Surface tablet, never mind that based on technical terms, you can purchase it as an optional accessory to the tablet. 
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple Rumored To Be Building 4K UHD TV That Could Be Released Late 2013/Early 2014, Pebble 1.9.1 Firmware Update Announced, 
Mar 26
Microsoft lands design patents for the Surface tablet’s Touch Cover keyboard
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Microsoft would certainly argue that its Surface tablet design is iconic. The company is doing more than simply extolling the virtues of kickstands and VaporMg casings, however. It just obtained a trio of design patents that cover both the Touch Cover keyboard and the magnetic coupling on the tablet that so often gives Microsoft something to dance about. You won’t find any deep insights into the technological workings here — still, this might give some would-be Surface KIRF creators a reason to hesitate.
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets, Microsoft
Mar 19
The Microsoft Surface did not really do as well as the software giant would have wanted it to, I suppose, but at least there is an initiative on Microsoft’s part now that enables business customers to pick up the Surface in bulk. Yes sir, we are talking about the Microsoft Surface, its fair share of accessories, as well as three-year warranty plans to boot, and this can be done through a spanking new Commercial Order site. Using the new website, business users are able to place volume orders for the Surface RT and Pro tablet/PC hybrid devices.
Of course, you will need to be a Microsoft employee, authorized partner or volume licensee in order to checkout the page, and according to the Commercial Order page notes, “Lead times for delivery and order requirements may vary depending on inventory. If you do not currently have a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft, there may be additional processing time to setup account and credit terms.” Will this move help revitalize the market to increase demand for the Microsoft Surface tablets?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Android Jelly Bean Update Reportedly Delayed, Next-gen Nexus 7 Could Use Qualcomm Snapdragon Chipset Instead [Rumor],
Mar 19
As often as Microsoft pitches the Surface and Surface Pro as tablets for getting work done, corporate customers haven’t had an easy way to order the devices by the bushel. We know that the process is now considerably smoother for eager large-scale adopters thanks to a ZDNet peek at a Commercial Order page. “Commercial customers” can spring for large quantities of either slate model, along with an Extended Hardware Service Plan that bumps support to three years for North American buyers. Microsoft isn’t saying just who’s eligible, although the order system is more likely to center on firms that are already comfortable buying all things Windows in volume. You’ll know how far it reaches if there’s a Surface at every cubicle on Monday morning.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Via: ZDNet
Source: Microsoft
Mar 15
It’s not that the Microsoft Surface tablet isn’t selling as well as the Windows 8 company predicted, but according to three anonymous sources speaking up this week, they certainly aren’t selling all that well. Speaking this week with Bloomberg, these three sources claim to have sales numbers before they’re made official to the public. According to them, the company has sold a total of about 1.5 million Surface devices since launch.
With the Surface RT selling just over a million of that total number and the Surface PRO version of the tablet coming in at somewhere around 400,000 in the short time they’ve been on the market, Microsoft may not be reaching projected numbers. According to these sources, Microsoft had originally ordered about 3 million Surface RT tablets for sale by this time – not quite the same as less than half that amount they’re claiming have been sold thus far.
The Surface PRO appears to be doing a bit better in the much shorter time since they’ve been revealed, but compared to such titans as Apple’s iPad, the big M is nowhere close. According to Apple, 22.9 million iPads were sold in the fourth quarter of 2012 alone.
Have a peek at the timeline below which includes our review of both of the Surface devices and decide for yourself if you’ll be joining the party. Down there you’ll find more information on what Microsoft has been doing to push the Surface family through to the future, along with the full Windows 8 software universe.
Surface sales appear to fall short with first 1.5 million unit prediction is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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