Hasta La Gadget!

At this point, we’re expecting very few surprises when it comes to Windows 8: Microsoft just shipped the final code to OEMs, and the company already published a list of staggered dates when developers, volume licensees and Joe Schmo consumers would be able to download the software. We already knew, then, that on August 15th developers with MSDN subscriptions would be able to get the RTM build, as would IT pros subscribed to TechNet. Now that that day has come, though, it’s worth repeating that those of you plugged into either the developer or TechNet program can start exploring the final software now — a good ten weeks before the rest of the world. Don’t have access? Luckily for you, Microsoft granted us early access to the RTM, and we’ve got a breakdown of the new features waiting for you right here.

Filed under: Software

Windows 8 RTM now available to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

We’ll admit to being a little blown away when Microsoft launched the Surface — it was an impressively polished tablet that we had heard barely a whisper of leading up to the mysterious launch event. But, there was one thing that we were still left wondering: how much would it cost? Now, with Acer getting all in a huff about competition and Microsoft conceding that some OEMs might be a little upset when this thing ships, we might just have an idea for you. According to an inside source, a session was held at Microsoft’s recent TechReady15 conference in which all the launch details were laid out. If things go according to the plan detailed then, the Surface for Windows RT tablet will be launching October 26th — no surprise there — at a compelling price of $199.

That MSRP, almost certainly lower than Microsoft’s own cost, would line it up against the Nexus 7 and even the Kindle Fire. It would put Windows 8 on the map in a big way and give a lot of people a lot of reason to try out an operating system that is going to feel rather different than previous incarnations. The question is: will it drive enough sales of media and apps for Microsoft to recoup its loss? Or, will companies like Acer put up enough of a fight in the months between now and October to keep Microsoft from undercutting its own partners? We’ll find out soon, dear readers.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT tablet coming October 26th for $199? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

As Switched On discussed a few weeks ago, and as Microsoft noted in its recent 10-K filing, it is an unavoidable truth that the company getting into the hardware market will cause conflict with its partners. The extent of that conflict, though, depends on many variables and Microsoft can — and must — take steps to ameliorate it.

Continue reading Switched On: Surface damage

Filed under: Tablet PCs, Software

Switched On: Surface damage originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

NVIDIA’s fiscal performance in its second quarter shows the rewards of patience in the mobile sphere. It just saw its profit double versus a glum first quarter to $119 million, even though the company only slightly edged ahead in revenue to $1.04 billion. In explaining the success, the company is quick to point to a confluence of events that all worked in favor of its bank account: a slew of Tegra 3 phones and tablets like the Transformer Pad TF300 made NVIDIA’s quarter the brightest, but it could also point to a much-expanded GeForce 600 line on the PC side and the shipments of the first phones with NVIDIA-badged Icera chips. The graphics guru expects its revenue to climb more sharply in the heat of the third quarter as well — between the cult hit Nexus 7 tablet and a role as a major partner for Windows RT, NVIDIA has at least a temporary license to print money.

Continue reading NVIDIA Q2 earnings bounce back through Tegra: $119 million profit on $1.04 billion in revenue

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablet PCs

NVIDIA Q2 earnings bounce back through Tegra: $119 million profit on $1.04 billion in revenue originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

When it comes to technology and the end of a financial quarter, you can bet your wage there’ll be an analyst report or two letting you what’s what. And according to Gartner’s latest estimates for Western Europe, PCs didn’t fare too well in Q2 of this year, with a 2.4 percent decrease in shipments compared with the same period in 2011. Consignments of mobile PCs (read: not tablets) grew by 4 percent, while desktops floundered, dropping 12.8 percent. Of this, a minor growth of 0.4 percent was recorded in consumer PCs, while the professional market decreased by 5.3 percent. Among the big hitters, HP remained at the top of the pile despite losing some market share, and Acer remained in second position with a mild increase in the same. ASUS put in a healthy performance, moving the company up to bronze medal position, while Dell dropped off the podium to fourth. The vendor statistics for the whole region were echoed in France in Germany, but during the quarter Apple managed to break into the top five in the UK market. Meike Escherich, principal analyst at Gartner, attributes the overall performance to economic uncertainty in the region, as well as lackluster demand in the wait for Windows 8 machines. We don’t want to spoil all the fun, so a comprehensive breakdown of the numbers awaits you at the source link.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Gartner reports Western Europe desktop shipments down, portable PCs up in Q2 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Gartner  | Email this | Comments