It looks as though the Surface RT hasn’t exactly taken off in the big, bad way Microsoft was hoping it would. Is it just poor distribution and the subsequent lack of availability that’s to blame? Or is there more to it than that?
While tablets and smartphones are currently the computing devices of choice for those on the go, the day could come when we’re all walking around with computers on our heads. It will never happen, you say? Then why do both Microsoft and Google believe this scenario is possible?
Microsoft’s latest operating system is now available to all, for a price. Windows 8 was released to retail today, with stores opening at midnight to allow the ultra-keen fanboys a chance to get their hands on the OS and/or a device powered by it as soon as possible. I’m reliably informed such people do exist, I just don’t know any.
Not only is Microsoft going into the hardware business, but it looks as if it is limiting its competition – at least initially. Interestingly enough, the company allowed the chipset makers to make the decision as to who was going to get to make the devices.
Microsoft recently unveiled Surface, Windows 8-powered tablets that will be launching in the months after the new operating system itself goes on sale later this year. On the surface (excuse the pun) this is hardware designed to compete with the Apple iPad and the various Android tablets that currently make up the burgeoning tablet market.
Well Apple had its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this month and unveiled its new line of MacBooks and iOS6. Monday it is Microsoft’s turn. We may get to find out more information about the upcoming Windows 8 tablets that are expected to launch later this year.
LG has no love or faith in Microsoft’s mobile operating system, with the company having no plans for new Windows Phone hardware in the near future. But things can change quickly in this business.
AT&T is giving the Windows Phone 7 handset a big advertising push to try to get this phone into the hands of customers. The Lumia 900 is considered a flagship phone for both the carrier and Nokia even though it is listed for only $99. The hope is that it will draw users from the iPhone and Android phones. But will this phone actually do that?
Microsoft is banning Mac and iPad purchases using company funds, according to a leaked internal email. A necessity in these days when Apple is proving a threat? Or an overreaction that the company should be ashamed of?
Touchscreens may be the future, but that doesn’t mean they don’t suck at the present time. Thankfully Microsoft is on the case.
Chinese manufacturer, Foxconn is in the news again with workers protesting poor working conditions at the factory. The manufacturing company came under scrutiny in the past after a number of suicides occurred in plants contracted by Apple, HP and Dell.
While Ballmer’s CES keynote was as lacking in excitement as expected, there was one interesting announcement from Microsoft for PC owners. Kinect for PC aka Kinect for Windows will be coming out February 1st of this year. While that may seem to be a boon for PC owners the world over, there is one little catch. Kinect for PC will require new hardware and not just software.
Nokia has opted out of any significant holiday phone sales. Most of the Windows Phone 7 handsets on the market are at least a few months old and low to middle of the market. Unlike Samsung with its high end Galaxy Nexus Android phone or Motorola with its Droid Razr, there aren’t any really dazzling high end Windows Phone 7 handsets hitting the market anytime soon. The closest is the Samsung Focus S that recently hit AT&T. The other high end handset, the Nokia 800 isn’t expected in the United States anytime soon.
Microsoft may have left it too late to get into the tablet market. Unless it can pull something amazing out the hat in the form of Windows 8.
For a company that has it’s operating system on over 80 percent of the computers in the world, you have to wonder why their phone selection is so pitiful. Really, try to find a Windows Phone 7 device made by more than two companies and you are out of luck in the US. If you try to buy one at Verizon the countries largest carrier, you have one choice.
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