WebProNews » surface http://www.webpronews.com Breaking News in Tech, Search, Social, & Business Sat, 25 May 2013 04:30:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Microsoft May Be Working On A 7-Inch Surface Tablet [Rumor] http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-may-be-working-on-a-7-inch-surface-tablet-rumor-2013-04 http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-may-be-working-on-a-7-inch-surface-tablet-rumor-2013-04#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:14:40 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=224665 The 7-inch tablet is the new 10-inch tablet. Consumers have stopped wanting the best instead opting for the cheapest, which explains why the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini are so popular. It would seems that Microsoft is finally catching on.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is now in the planning stages of a 7-inch Surface tablet. The interesting part is that a 7-inch tablet wasn’t initially part of Microsoft’s Surface strategy, but the popularity of smaller tablets have reportedly forced the company to reconsider.

Microsoft already hinted that it was working on a 7-inch tablet last month when its newly updated OEM guidelines said that Windows 8 now supported a minimum resolution of 1024×768. The resolution is perfect for cheap 7-inch tablets. At the time, Microsoft said the new resolution rules were for “partners exploring designs for certain markets,” but it seemed pretty obvious that Microsoft would be making a 7-inch Surface tablet of its own.

A smaller, cheaper tablet could be just what Microsoft needs as Windows 8, and Surface tablets, have failed to capture much of the mobile market. Most of the problems stem from the high cost of Surface tablets with the Surface RT starting at $499. A 7-inch Surface could probably come in under $300, which would allow Microsoft to undermine the price of the popular iPad Mini. If Microsoft was truly crazy, it could even price it below the Nexus 7 at $200. Such a scenario is highly unlikely though.

All of this is just a rumor for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it become reality sooner than later. It only makes sense for Microsoft to build a 7-inch Surface, and its own efforts may lead other OEMs to create cheaper 7-inch Windows tablets to help Windows 8 gain a little more marketshare.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-may-be-working-on-a-7-inch-surface-tablet-rumor-2013-04/feed 1 Still Can’t Find A Surface Pro? Check Back Again Later This Week http://www.webpronews.com/still-cant-find-a-surface-pro-check-back-again-later-this-week-2013-02 http://www.webpronews.com/still-cant-find-a-surface-pro-check-back-again-later-this-week-2013-02#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:46:21 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=216548 The Surface Pro is selling out pretty much everywhere. Consumers hoping to grab Microsoft’s latest tablet/laptop hybrids have been met with disappointment after stores across the nation sold out almost immediately. Now Microsoft is working to get more stock into stores by the end of the week, but you still might not get one.

In a quick post from the Surface team last night, the group acknowledged that “some retail and online locations have been low or out of stick of Surface Pro.” Here’s what the company will be doing to ensure stock will be back in stores by the end of the week:

In the U.S., we are shipping additional units of the 64GB SKU to Best Buy, Staples and Microsoft Store now. We are shipping 128GB SKU later this week to retailers, with some units available by the end of the week. Our priority (and that of our retail partners) is to fulfill orders from customers who made a reservation first. Canada is following a similar timeline but may take an extra few days to start arriving.

As you can see, those who had reservations will be taken care of first. That means the stragglers may have to wait more than a week to get their hands on the Surface Pro.

The team concludes that they’re “working as quickly as [they] can to get Surface Pro to market.” If you find that stores are still out of stock, they ask that you just wait a few days for more to show up.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/still-cant-find-a-surface-pro-check-back-again-later-this-week-2013-02/feed 1 Microsoft Surface Pro May Cause Spontaneous Office Dance Offs http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-surface-pro-may-cause-spontaneous-office-dance-offs-2013-02 http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-surface-pro-may-cause-spontaneous-office-dance-offs-2013-02#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:03:49 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=215964 The Surface RT’s ad campaign was defined by one thing – synchronized dancing. It was a little strange considering the ad didn’t even tell the consumer what Surface was or what it could do. It just showed a lot of hip youngsters (and a sweet, old couple) getting down with their new tablet/PC hybrid. People must have liked the ad though as it’s back again in the new Surface Pro advertisement.

The new Surface Pro ad features a similar dance routine as before, but now it’s set in an office environment. The new setting raises a whole host of new questions. Will the Surface Pro lead to spontaneous flash mobs during the quarterly meeting? Will it inspire the vice president of the company to take up beatboxing? Microsoft seemingly confirms all of these scenarios to be the case.

Now, this latest ad may have you running off to pick up a Surface Pro, but I feel that I must temper your expectations. A report from CNET says that the 128 GB Surface Pro is sold out nearly everywhere. Microsoft may have intentionally understocked the Surface Pro after seeing the Surface RT’s weak retail performance. That seems to have not been the case, however, and now the company is “working with [its] retail partners” to get more 128GB models into the hands of consumers.

If you can find one, let us know if it causes spontaneous office dance offs.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-surface-pro-may-cause-spontaneous-office-dance-offs-2013-02/feed 1 Microsoft Defends Surface Pro’s $900 Price Tag http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-defends-surface-pros-900-price-tag-2013-02 http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-defends-surface-pros-900-price-tag-2013-02#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:25:34 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=215444 The Surface Pro will be launching on February 9 for $900. That’s only for the 64GB version as the 128GB model will go for $1,000. It costs even more when you throw in the touch or typepad, and other accessories. Isn’t this all a little too much? Tami Reller, Windows Finance and Marketing Chief, doesn’t think so. In fact, she think it’s an incredible value if you start looking at the “right way.”

In an interview with GeekWire, Reller says that the $1,000 price tag of the Surface represents a value to the typical Apple buyer who spends that much on a MacBook Air alongside an extra $500 for an iPad:

Compare it to a typical Apple buyer, who is going to get a MacBook Air, plus an iPad. That’s a more interesting comparison. … If you’ve got a buyer who needs both a computer and a tablet, Surface Pro is $1,000, vs. $1,000 plus $500 (for the MacBook Air and iPad). I think that’s the interesting comparison.

She goes on to say that the Surface Pro represents a better value over the competition because it’s a touch-based system. It means the device is a tablet and an Ultrabook – it’s everything the modern technology user wants in a single system.

Microsoft will probably not have any luck in attracting the hardcore Apple users who are perfectly content with throwing money at multiple devices every year. The value that Surface Pro presents to those users is negligible. The company needs to focus on the PC user that will most likely skip the Surface Pro and opt for a similarly specced notebook. To those consumers, Reller says they have to look at the big picture:

You have to look at design, pen, touch performance. You look at it and you say, OK, I’m getting Ultrabook-class PC with the added benefit of a tablet package. It’s all I need. $899 plus a keyboard of my choice, I’m into the $1,000 category, and I have all I need, in a premium package.

Are consumers going to be swayed by that argument? It’s legitimately hard to say. Many people say that they plan on purchasing the Surface Pro after skipping on the Surface RT last year. These consumers want the full Windows 8 experience, and the Surface Pro mostly delivers if its largely positive reviews are to be believed.

Regardless, that starting price of $900 is a pretty scary proposition for consumers. For $100 less, consumers can get the 128GB Retina Display iPad. Is the newness of Windows 8 able to win out over the familiarity of iOS? Microsoft certainly thinks they can, but consumers may not be as adventurous.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-defends-surface-pros-900-price-tag-2013-02/feed 3 Surface Pro Goes On Sale February 9, Available Online And In Stores http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-goes-on-sale-february-9-available-online-and-in-stores-2013-01 http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-goes-on-sale-february-9-available-online-and-in-stores-2013-01#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:32:20 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=212564 ]]> Despite Microsoft’s best attempts at spin, all reports point to the Surface RT being kind of a failure as far as tablets are concerned. Fans will still defend the device, however, and tell us to wait until the Surface Pro launches. The mythical Windows 8 device will show ‘em all they say. Well, it will have its chance to show us what it can do early next month.

Microsoft announced today that the Surface Pro will be available starting February 9 from the company’s online and retail outlets, as well as from Staples and Best Buy. As reported last month, the tablet/laptop hybrid will start at $899 and come in two memory configurations – 64GB and 128GB.

The real advantage of the Surface Pro, however, comes in the fact that it runs Windows 8 Pro instead of Windows RT. In essence, it’s an Intel i5-powered Ultrabook that just so happens to think it’s a tablet. Microsoft even includes a touch pen with the Surface Pro for those who want to do design work on the device.

For those who want to make your Surface Pro a little more special, Microsoft will also be offering some special touch covers starting February 9. The three covers will retail for $129.99, and feature “unique laser-etched designs in three distinctive colors: red, magenta and cyan.”

Surface Pro Goes On Sale February 9

In addition to the touch covers, Microsoft will also be releasing a special Surface edition of the Wedge mouse that is “specifically designed to complement the Surface experience in all its forms, providing four-way Touch scrolling and easy navigation at one’s fingertips.” It will retail for $69.95 and be available on February 9.

Surface Pro Goes On Sale February 9

In some final news, Microsoft also announced that the Surface RT will be available in more countries in the coming weeks. Those living in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland will be able to get your Surface RT on soon. There’s no word on when these territories will get the Surface Pro.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-goes-on-sale-february-9-available-online-and-in-stores-2013-01/feed 0 Surface Pro Will Reportedly Launch In Late January http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-will-reportedly-launch-in-late-january-2013-01 http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-will-reportedly-launch-in-late-january-2013-01#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:52:49 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=209716 In late November, Microsoft announced that the Surface Pro would cost $899 for the base model at launch. When exactly would the device launch? The company wouldn’t say, but reports from its retail outlets this week indicate that the device is launching by the end of the month.

CNET reports that Microsoft Store salespeople have pegged the Surface Pro for a late January launch. One store even said the device would launch January 26, exactly 90 days after the launch of the Surface RT on October 26 of last year. Another rumor from Neowin says that the Surface Pro will be available on January 29. Either way, the tablet/laptop hybrid will most likely be available at the end of the month.

So, what will you get out of Microsoft’s Ultrabook parading around as a tablet? The Surface Pro already has a leg up on the Surface RT by coming equipped with Windows 8 Pro instead of the lackluster Windows RT. That means you’ll be able to do pretty much anything a Windows PC can do on the Surface Pro. It also has a lot more power than the Surface RT as it sports an Intel i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 1920×1080 display and Mini DisplayPort output of up to 2560×1440.

The Surface RT hasn’t been doing too well, and Microsoft only just recently made the tablet available at more stores beyond its own retail outlets. Its unknown if the Surface Pro will see more success than its sibling, but diehard Microsoft fans argue that most consumers who want a Surface have been waiting for the Surface Pro on account of its Ultrabook-like specs. Microsoft, and Steve Ballmer, had better hope they’re right.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/surface-pro-will-reportedly-launch-in-late-january-2013-01/feed 1 Former Windows Boss Steven Sinofsky Will Be An “Executive In Residence” At Harvard http://www.webpronews.com/former-windows-boss-steven-sinofsky-will-be-an-executive-in-residence-at-harvard-2012-12 http://www.webpronews.com/former-windows-boss-steven-sinofsky-will-be-an-executive-in-residence-at-harvard-2012-12#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:43:23 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=208380 Last month, Microsoft and Windows boss Steven Sinofsky parted ways. The split appeared amicable on the surface, but other reports suggested otherwise. That’s all behind us though and Sinofsky is focusing on the next chapter in his life.

Sinofsky announced on Twitter this afternoon that he will be heading to Harvard Business School in the spring semester to teach. He’s calling the gig a sabbatical so it’s hard to say just how long he’ll be there.

Since the announcement, Sinofsky has been offering more details on what he will be doing at HBS besides teaching. It sounds like the former Windows boss will be pretty busy when he takes up the mantle of “Executive in Residence” this Spring.

 
 

 
 

 

 

It will be interesting to see if Sinofsky reveals any secrets about the development of Windows 8 over the next few months. I’m sure NDAs prevent him from speaking out on a lot of it, but students will undoubtedly try to gain any nugget of wisdom they can from a man who worked at Microsoft for so long and oversaw the development of Microsoft’s most recent software launches.

[h/t: Microsoft News]

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/former-windows-boss-steven-sinofsky-will-be-an-executive-in-residence-at-harvard-2012-12/feed 0 Ballmer Could Be Out Of A Job If Windows 8 Fails http://www.webpronews.com/ballmer-could-be-out-of-a-job-if-windows-8-fails-2012-12 http://www.webpronews.com/ballmer-could-be-out-of-a-job-if-windows-8-fails-2012-12#comments Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:16:03 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=207860 Is Windows 8 a bust? It’s far too early to tell, but some analysts are already predicting some pretty major changes at Microsoft if the company can’t turn its latest operating system into a hit. In fact, the company’s CEO may be in trouble.

The success of Windows 8, at least according to analysts, is being pegged on its adoption in mobile. Consumers are increasingly moving their spending to mobile devices and Microsoft has been consistently late to the party. Windows Phone 8 is only starting to catch on after years of abysmal sales for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 line, and the Surface isn’t performing as well as it could.

Carolina Milanesi, an analyst for Gartner, told the New York Post that “there is lots at sake in terms of the mobile segment.” She went on to say that Microsoft “needs to be successful in mobile.” It’s this success that may decide whether or not Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has a job in the future. He has bet the entire future of Microsoft on Windows 8, and that bet may not play out.

Of course, all of this is pure speculation on the part of analysts. They’re paid to make predictions, and those predictions sometimes end up wrong. Microsoft made a smart move by making the Surface RT available at more retailers, and consumers may really just be skipping on the Surface RT in favor of the Surface Pro. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time, and Microsoft’s mobile division may have its moment in 2013.

As for Windows 8 itself, it’s only been a few months since its release. The operating system is outpacing Windows 7 in terms of upgrades, but there’s still not much data to go on to make a definitive call as to its success or failure. I’d say wait until the middle of next year, and the potential launch of Windows Blue, to see if Windows 8 really is the failure that some analysts expect it to be.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/ballmer-could-be-out-of-a-job-if-windows-8-fails-2012-12/feed 8 Microsoft Is Finally Expanding Surface RT Availability To Retailers http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-is-finally-expanding-surface-rt-availability-to-retailers-2012-12 http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-is-finally-expanding-surface-rt-availability-to-retailers-2012-12#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:03:21 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=206850 An analyst with Detwiler Fenton said last week that Microsoft’s Surface wasn’t doing so well. The analyst attributed the lack of success to two causes – limited distribution and a high price. Microsoft hasn’t fixed the price yet, but it is fixing its distribution issues as soon as next week.

Microsoft announced today that it plans to make its Surface tablet available at retailers as soon as mid-December. It doesn’t list which retailers the Surface will be making an appearance in, but we can assume that stores that regularly host Microsoft products will host the Surface as well.

“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface,” said Panos Panay, general manager, Microsoft Surface.

Microsoft previously said that it planned to only offer the Surface exclusively via its Web site or retail stores, but that apparently was only just a clever ruse. The company claims that it had always intended to offer the Surface via other retail outlets in 2013, but “interest from retailers” has pushed it to offer the new tablet even earlier.

What about all those special Microsoft stores that opened up for the holidays just to sell the Surface and Windows Phones? Microsoft is going to keep them open beyond the new year, and maybe even convert them to full-on brick-and-mortar retail outlets for all things Microsoft. Those that don’t make the cut will be converted into specialty stores.

It’s good to see Microsoft fixing its first mistake, but I fear the Surface may still only pull “modest” numbers until Microsoft can wrangle in the price. The Surface RT will continue its position in last place until Microsoft can get the price to a more manageable $300.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-is-finally-expanding-surface-rt-availability-to-retailers-2012-12/feed 1 Microsoft’s Surface Is Dead Last In Tablet Web Traffic Generation http://www.webpronews.com/microsofts-surface-is-dead-last-in-tablet-web-traffic-generation-2012-12 http://www.webpronews.com/microsofts-surface-is-dead-last-in-tablet-web-traffic-generation-2012-12#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:43:44 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=206649 It’s been speculated that Microsoft’s Surface tablet may not be doing that well. There’s not been any solid numbers yet from Redmond, but a new report out of Chitika seemingly confirms the speculation.

Chitika Insights published a report this morning that looks into how much Web traffic Google’s and Microsoft’s tablets generate. It’s important to note first off that Microsoft only has one tablet out at the moment – the Surface RT – whereas Google has its two Nexus tablets. With that being said, it doesn’t look that great for either of them.

Microsoft's Surface Generates Tiny Amount Of Tablet Web Traffic

As you can see, neither company is able to break even one percent of Web traffic in the US and Canada. In fact, Google is only in the lead because its Nexus 7 tablet has been out since July. If it launched this holiday season, it probably would be in a similar place.

It’s kind of sad that Microsoft’s Surface only makes up 0.13 percent, but it should be noted that the device has only been available for a little over a month. For a new product that’s priced a little too high, the Surface is pulling in decent numbers. It will be interesting to see if its share value changes after the Surface Pro launches.

Of course, no tablet maker can compete with the iPad in terms of tablet web traffic market share. According to Chitika’s November numbers, the iPad came in first place with 88 percent. Coming in second was Amazon’s Kindle Fire with only 3.6 percent. Getting even one percent of the market is quite a feat and one that Google is about to achieve. With only two overpriced tablets, it remains to be seen if Microsoft can do the same.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/microsofts-surface-is-dead-last-in-tablet-web-traffic-generation-2012-12/feed 6