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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.
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.