Microsoft Announces 'Surface' Tablet 712
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.
Wait, Surface? (Score:5, Informative)
Also, is this just like the Courier [slashdot.org] or will we one day actually see these devices like the Zune?
Watch the keynote (Score:4, Informative)
From about 10minutes in IIRC. I'm actually pretty impressed with the device(s).
Re:No Battery Life or Price? (Score:5, Informative)
Don't forget about this marvelous quote on the web site [microsoft.com]: 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.
Re:We'll see (Score:5, Informative)
Re:No! Are you trolling? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Wait, Surface? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Zune or Xbox? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Zune or Xbox? (Score:5, Informative)
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: [thelazygeeks.com]
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). [pcmag.com]
Now take a look at these US numbers for March 2012: [digital-digest.com] (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.
Re:Zune or Xbox? (Score:4, Informative)
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.