Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve heard a lot of rumors over the past few months that Microsoft is working on the next generation Surface tablets. The company’s tablet hasn’t exactly won over the market, in fact Microsoft took a $900 million hit because of it. They’ve slashed prices and offered them to schools at a fraction of the original price, but all of that hasn’t translated into success for the tablet. Perhaps Microsoft will have better luck with the next generation Surface tablets. Rumor has it that Surface 2 might drop the “RT” for good.

AdDuplex claims to have spotted new Surface tablets accessing its Windows ad network regularly. The devices that appear are named “Microsoft Corporation Surface 2″ and “Microsoft Corporation Surface with Windows 8.1 Pro.” The first one will be running Windows RT like the current Surface RT does. Nothing has been confirmed right now though, this is merely an observation. The difference between RT and Pro Surface tablets isn’t limited to the OS, Pro comes with much better hardware and subsequently costs much more. Would it make any difference at all if Microsoft decided not to attach the “RT” label to its entry level next generation Surface tablet? After all, it doesn’t really have any relation to the tablet’s performance and design, the two key factors upon which its success is going to be determined.

Microsoft Surface 2 May Ditch The ‘RT’ Label original content from Ubergizmo.

Last we heard, Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8.1 update is said to have been finalized and will begin rolling out on the 17^th of October, and for those who did not bother with the Windows 8.1 Consumer Preview and were wondering how the operating system might look like post-update, a bunch of screenshots have made their way online, giving us an idea of what to expect. The leak comes courtesy of Win8China, who in the past has been pretty accurate about their product leaks, so we expect that these screenshots could be more or less the real deal.

The screenshots shows off the default start screen, lock screen, along with desktop screen backgrounds, so if you were wondering what sort of changes you might be able to expect from the update, hopefully these screenshots will be able to clue you in. Windows 8.1 is said to be a pretty major update for the operating system and will introduce a host of new features and changes, such as the bringing back of the Start button amongst other things. In any case additional screenshots can be found at Win8China’s page or the source link below, but what do you guys think of the update so far? Is Microsoft on the right track?

Windows 8.1 RTM Screenshots Leaked original content from Ubergizmo.

At the end of June, there were whispers that Skype could be integrated into Windows 8.1 as Microsoft had already decided to drop Messenger along the way. Well, there is nothing quite like some patience to wait things out and see whether the rumors in question would pan out eventually or not, and here we are with official word from Microsoft themselves that Windows 8.1 will ship with Skype pre-installed, now how about that?

This means folks who have yet to download and install the instant messaging/VoIP client will be able to enjoy it after they perform an operating system upgrade, or alternatively, pick up a machine that runs on Windows 8.1 as the operating system of choice. Existing Skype users would not notice any changes, but with this happening, we could very well see a leap in the overall Skype adoption rate, assuming that sales of new Windows 8.1-powered machines pick up. At the very least, this bit of news would mean you are able to get connected to another person right from the get go (assuming you already have a Skype account in the first place) without having to go through a pesky installation experience whenever you pick up a new Windows 8.1 machine. [Press Release]

Windows 8.1 Ships With Skype Pre-Installed original content from Ubergizmo.

Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 update has been available to download in the form of a preview, and we’re sure many are wondering when the update will be pushed out to their computers. Well according to Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet, her sources have told her that Microsoft will be only pushing out the update possibly around mid-October. This mid-October release supposedly will apply to customers waiting for the updates to arrive on their computers, and also for customers who are hoping to find hardware in shops that come with the Windows 8.1 update already installed.

The last we heard was that Microsoft had begun issuing their OEM partners the Windows 8.1 update for the final phase of testing. We’re not sure why Microsoft is looking to launch the update simultaneously (for both consumers and manufacturers), but it has been suggested that perhaps it would create a big bang and a more high-profile event, but in any case for those looking forward to the changes that Windows 8.1 will bring, mid-October is the date you could tentatively look forward to.

Windows 8.1 Update To Be Issued Mid-October [Rumor] original content from Ubergizmo.

When Windows 8 was first launched, there were many who lauded the new UI, but at the same time there were those who felt that the change was too drastic and that there were some elements of the older Windows operating system that Microsoft should have kept around, the Start Button being one of them. Well the good news is that if you have been waiting for Windows 8.1, it could soon be rolled out because according to Win8China, word is that Microsoft has already issued the latest build of Windows 8.1 for final testing.

This particular build is said to be the last build before the update is pushed out to the masses, so we expect that if this is the case, it will not be too long before Windows 8 users are notified that it is time to update their operating system. Windows 8.1 is expected to be a pretty important update since Microsoft believes it will “refine the vision of Windows 8”. The consumer preview has been available for download but for those who have not bothered, hopefully it will not be too long before the update begins its rollout!

Windows 8.1 Reportedly Being Issued To OEMs original content from Ubergizmo.