Microsoft's Xbox team testing smartwatch prototypes with a Surface connector

via theverge.com

Microsoft is prototyping its own wrist-worn device. A reliable source familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans has revealed to The Verge that the company has been developing a wrist-worn device for just over a year. We understand that Microsoft had originally planned to release a "Joule" heart rate monitor accessory for the Xbox, but the company has since decided to focus on a smartwatch instead. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Microsoft's plans earlier this week, citing unnamed supply chain sources who claim Microsoft has requested 1.5-inch displays from component manufacturers.

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Surface Vs iPad Hilarious Video

via businessinsider.com

Last summer, Microsoft revealed its long-awaited so-called "iPad killer," the Surface RT tablet.

Since it began shipping in October, the Surface hasn't killed the Pad. As far as we can tell, it hasn't even bruised the iPad.

But the Surface launch press conference did lead to this really funny video produced by ReadWriteWeb.

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New markets announced for Surface Pro and Surface RT

via theverge.com

Microsoft announced today that it plans to expand its Surface RT availability to additional markets. Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan will all receive Surface RT units in late March. Microsoft is also promising that the UK, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and New Zealand will be able to buy Surface Pro "in the coming months."

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Microsoft Surface Pro 128 GB Sold Out

via businessinsider.com

Microsoft's Surface Pro is only a few hours old, but the top-of-the-line 128 GB model has already sold out online.

Microsoft's online store lists the 128 GB as "out of stock," but the cheaper 64 GB is still available.

You can also buy the Surface Pro at Best Buy, Staples, or Microsoft Store retail locations. It starts at $899, but you'll want to spend another $120 on one of the special keyboard covers to get the full experience.

The Surface Pro is a bit different than the original Surface that launched last year. This model is a full fledged computer in a tablet form factor, meaning you can run older Windows apps in a classic desktop environment.

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Microsoft Surface Pro 128 GB Sold Out

via businessinsider.com

Microsoft's Surface Pro is only a few hours old, but the top-of-the-line 128 GB model has already sold out online.

Microsoft's online store lists the 128 GB as "out of stock," but the cheaper 64 GB is still available.

You can also buy the Surface Pro at Best Buy, Staples, or Microsoft Store retail locations. It starts at $899, but you'll want to spend another $120 on one of the special keyboard covers to get the full experience.

The Surface Pro is a bit different than the original Surface that launched last year. This model is a full fledged computer in a tablet form factor, meaning you can run older Windows apps in a classic desktop environment.

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Surface Pro review round-up: Fast, fat, and not enough battery life to be useful

via extremetech.com

More than three months after the release of Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet, the first full reviews of the Surface Pro are in — and they’re not good. While being lauded for its innovative design and top-notch display, almost every review notes that the Surface Pro is plagued by poor battery life, cumbersome dimensions for a tablet, and weak cameras.

The hard truth of the matter is that the Surface Pro — like Windows 8 — suffers from a massive identity crisis. The Surface Pro, without a dock or physical keyboard, tries to be a tablet — but with just four or five hours of battery life, using the Surface Pro as an on-the-move tablet is impossible. The Surface Pro, with a kickstand, tries to be a laptop — but it’s very hard to actually use on your lap, the screen’s angle can’t be adjusted, and again the battery life is an issue. As with its brother, the Surface RT, we have to ask: What is the Surface Pro, and who is it for?

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Video Review: Microsoft's Surface Pro Tablet

via businessinsider.com

Microsoft will launch its newest tablet, the Surface Pro, in the U.S. and Canada this week starting at $899.

Check out some of the most important features of the Surface Pro in our video review below. You can also check out our full written review here.

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Report: Microsoft Surface Pros Are Showing Up In Stores Ahead of Release Date

via gizmodo.com

You can't buy one just yet, but if you mosey on over to your neighborhood Microsoft store, there's a chance you might be able to put your greasy paws all over a Microsoft Surface Pro, what the Surface should have been from the get-go.

According to reports by Engadget, the new devices are already being displayed as demo units at some stores, ahead of the February 9th launch date, but there's no reliable way to index which stores or what ones it'll be coming to early. It'll be sold at Best Buy and Staples and Microsoft Stores at launch though, so any of those are fair game.

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Apple Sets Sights On Microsoft Surface With 128 GB iPad

via readwrite.com

Apple announced a new version of its fourth-generation iPad today. Apple’s newest will be a 128 GB version starting at $799 with cellular connectivity at $929 and hits stores on February 5th. With the tablet industry trending towards smaller, cheaper versions, why would Apple buck the trend and release one of the most expensive tablets on the market?

The answer has little to do with Google, Amazon or the Android Army. For Apple, the 128 GB iPad is all about business and enterprise. What company controls the enterprise software market and is releasing its own expensive tablet?

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Official: Microsoft Surface Pro Launches in US and Canada on February 9

via www.gadgetell.com">technologytell.com

It’s not usually wise to unveil a new gadget and then wait more than six months to start selling it and when dealing with an “experimental” device running a new mobile OS, the risk doubles. Still, Microsoft has done exactly that with the Surface Pro tab introduced to the world in June 2012 and ready to see the light of day just now.

Well, more like in a couple of weeks, as the exact release date in US and Canada is February 9, but hey, what are a few extra days when you’ve been waiting for half a year, right?

The 10.6-incher will be made available via Microsoft’s online and offline stores, but also from Best Buy and Staples starting at $899. That’ll buy you a 64 GB version of the Intel Core i5-powered Win 8 slate with an included Surface pen, which is pricey, but certainly not shocking.

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Microsoft Surface Pro hands-on

via engadget.com

Even though Microsoft doesn't have a booth at CES this year, that doesn't mean it skipped Vegas altogether. Panos Panay, the general manager for Surface products, is in town, holding meetings with a few members of the media, us included. And he brought some toys with him. Specifically, the forthcoming Surface Pro along with the pressure-sensitive pen that goes with it. We only had a few minutes of hands-on time and in any case, we plan on going into much more detail when we eventually write our review. For now, though, we've got a first look waiting for you past the break.

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Review: Microsoft Surface With Windows RT

via hongkiat.com

2012 is ending with a bang… when it comes to tablets. For one thing, many new tablets are making its way into (or are already in) the market, tablets such as the Nexus 7 (32GB with data), Nexus 10 and Apple’s iPad Mini. One of the most publicized tablets of the year is none other than the Microsoft Surface tablet.

In the past, Bill Gates had introduced the Tablet PC or Slate which had little impact in the tech consumer industry back then, but luckily for Microsoft, Surface is doing way better than its predecessors. The Microsoft Surface tablet has been catching a lot of media attention, together with the Windows 8 launching. And it’s about time we took the Surface for a spin.

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Surface Will Be Available at Best Buy and Staples This Week

via gizmodo.com

One of the big obstacles preventing Microsoft's Surface from being successful has been the fact that it's only available direct from Microsoft. Not any more: by the end of the week, the tablet should be available from Staples and Best Buy.

ZDNet initially reported the news, which has now been confirmed by the websites of both Best Buy and Staples. Yahoo claims that Surface will be on sale at Staples from today, while Best Buy simply claims the tablet is "coming soon".

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Should You Buy The Microsoft Surface?

via businessinsider.com

The Microsoft Surface is out today, but we got to play around with one yesterday. While we think Microsoft's Touch Cover keyboard is a huge step forward in the tablet industry, we're not exactly rushing out to buy a Microsoft Surface just yet.

Watch below to find out why you should hold off on getting the new Microsoft Surface...

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Uh Oh, Microsoft's Surface Tablet Is Getting Some Awful Reviews

via businessinsider.com

The reviews are in for Microsoft's Surface tablet. And the verdict is not good.

The most scathing of the reviews we've read so far comes from Josh Topolsky at The Verge.

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Microsoft's Surface Tablet Is Already On Backorder

via businessinsider.com

Even though Microsoft's Surface tablet won't be officially available until Friday, Microsoft's online store has already run out.

Microsoft's online store says the Surface model running the special, tablet-optimized Windows RT operating system, which sells for $499 to $699, is on backorder, reports Gregg Keizer at Computerworld.

Depending on the model, customers will have to wait two to three weeks after the official release date before Microsoft can deliver the tablet.

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Get Ready For A Huge Week In Tech

via businessinsider.com

Today kicks off a week of tech news and events from just about every major company.

It's the perfect storm. Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Google, and perhaps a few others are all planning major product announcements and launches between today and October 29.

Add that to earnings reports from Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Netflix, and you can see how the folks in the tech world are going to have an exhausting few days.

Here's a quick breakdown of everything coming this week...

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Will Microsoft's Surface Tablet Float or Sink?

via pcmag.com

Since heading home from the hospital and catching up on the news I had missed, I have formed some opinions on Microsoft's new hardware.

I believe Microsoft was inspired to develop its Surface tablet when it began to notice the large number of people buying external keyboards for the iPad. In fact, external keyboards are the second best-selling iPad accessory behind protective cases. Also, Asus' Transformer has shown that there is interest in a tablet/keyboard combo device for Android, another product that underlines consumer demand.

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Surface vs. iPad: Microsoft's Getting Rusty At Stealing from Apple - Video

via readwriteweb.com

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Do you see the the connection between the Surface and the iPad? I for one am not too sure that they are connected.

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Hands On with Microsoft’s New Surface Tablet

via readwriteweb.com

A few minutes spent actually handling a prototype of Microsoft’s new Surface tablet reveals a solid device, combining a slightly bulky chassis with a clever Touch Cover keyboard that appears to work well - all powered by a Windows RT operating system that seems to to be a viable competitor to iOS and Android on these types of devices.

However you look at it, Microsoft’s new Surface tablet, released at a heavily hyped event in Los Angeles on Monday, is undeniably the most interesting product the company has revealed since the Microsoft Kinect motion-based controller. A very quick hands-on examination revealed real strengths, as well as some flaws.

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