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Microsoft Announces 'Surface' Tablet
MrSeb was one of several submitters to write in about Microsoft's foray into the tablet hardware market. From the article: "At its much-discussed 'big unveil' this evening, Microsoft did indeed launch a tablet — but rumors that the device would showcase a Barnes & Noble partnership were misplaced. Instead, Microsoft showed a ... device that integrates a better keyboard option than typing on the screen without adding size or weight. That's where the new keyboard — which doubles as a screen cover — kicks in. At 3mm thick, it adds virtually nothing to the device's size, but it opens up a world of inputs. There are two covers available — the Touch Cover (very thin) and the Type Cover (with proper, tactile keys). Microsoft is touting the device's magnesium body, vapor-deposited construction, full PC functionality, and additional features like being the first tablet to showcase a 2×2 MIMO wireless antenna. Windows RT (ARM) and x86 versions are both in the works, with the x86 version apparently having a higher quality screen. No word on hardware specs yet; Microsoft is claiming it 'rivals the best ultrabooks' and uses less power than the Core i5."
Microsoft has a launch site with a few pictures. There is a vague spec sheet: the x86 version is slightly thicker and has a larger battery (and comes with a pen) than the ARM tablet, but that's about all it reveals. Update: 06/19 16:06 GMT by T : Nick Kolakowski at GeekNet's SlashCloud says this may be Microsoft's best chance to compete in a cloud-centric mobile computing world.
Isn't "Surface" the name of their SDK for both devices and Windows 7 computers that's been available since 2009?
Also, is this just like the Courier or will we one day actually see these devices like the Zune?
My work here is dung.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCmudUDv3GA
From about 10minutes in IIRC. I'm actually pretty impressed with the device(s).
Don't forget about this marvelous quote on the web site: Images are design renderings and not photographs...
Of course there was a functional tablet on the video, but it may be yet another prototype that would be forgotten like the Courier.
The ARM one will certainly be locked - MS requires that as a condition of other manufacturers of Windows RT devices, and I can imagine no reason they wouldn't do so themselves. The x86... maybe, maybe not. I don't know.
Yes there was a delay but Apple told people two important things: (1) how much and (2) when it went on sale. Even if Apple didn't tell a specific date for the original iPhone, they did specify a quarter and the reasoning was that the device had not been FCC approved yet. For other devices, the public knew these essential facts.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
Actually, all the blu-ray players ive used wont play newer movies unless they get thier monthly (or so) firmware update. Something to do with the security software on newer disks.
Competitive? They don't even sell 1k a week in Japan.
And the Japanese market doesn't matter, because it's overshadowed by the USA and Europe.
Take a look at these November 2011 numbers for Japan:
PS3: 22,919
Wii: 11,782
Xbox 360: 1,531
3DS: 103,962
Yes, The Xbox moves less than 1k a week, but the best home consoles in the region barely move 5k units a week. That's not a very lucrative market. And yes, the portable numbers are much higher, but that still doesn't come close to the US market (roughly 333k 3DS units sold per-month since launch).
Now take a look at these US numbers for March 2012: (not the same month but they're both recent and off-peak so it's comparable).
Xbox 360: 371,000
PS3: 337,000
Wii: 175,000
See there difference there? For home consoles, Japan is a drop in the bucket. It's no wonder Microsoft completely ceded the market - until they have a portable there's no point in even trying.
Man is the animal that laughs.
And occasionally whores for Karma.
No American console has ever sold in Japan. Ever.
Weeelll, the Magnavox Odyssey sold more than the native offerings at the time (because there wasn't much - this was WAAAY before Famicom, Sega, Nintendo and Bandai). While technically, at the time the original Odyssey was exported to Japan, it was owned by Philips, a Dutch company, it was designed in the US and Philips used the American name for sales to Japan.
But that's really old history, and probably not relevant.