| Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro Jun 18th 2012, 23:43  Microsoft didn't just announce one Surface tablet today -- it's announced one for each of the main varieties of Windows. That includes the Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which is slightly larger and decidedly more Intel-based than its ARM-fueled counterpart for Windows RT. In addition to the more full-fledged OS, it packs a larger 42 W-h battery, an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor (at least in the model on display today), USB 3.0 ports instead of 2.0, and your choice of 64GB or 128GB of storage (double the standard offerings of the RT Surface). The screen is the same 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD display found in the RT model, but it comes wrapped in a package that's 13.5 mm thin and weighs 903 grams (compared to 9.3 mm and 676 grams). That's apparently not big enough to disqualify it from Microsoft's new keyboard-laden covers, though, and it even gets another accessory of its own: a pen with a "Palm Block." As for pricing and availability, Microsoft is only going as far to say that it will be "on par with Ultrabook-class PCs" and available about three months after the Windows 8 launch (when the RT model will be available). Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Microsoft | Email this | Comments | | Microsoft one ups other tablet 'smart' covers with Surface's Touch Cover and Type Cover Jun 18th 2012, 23:35  What's 3mm thick, crafted from the finest Polartec and attaches to a tablet magnetically? If you guessed an iPad smart cover you might be right, but right now we're pretty enamored with Microsoft's Touch Cover for the newly announced Surface. See, it works almost exactly like that other "smart" tablet shield, but this one actually earns it's smart moniker. When you peel the plastic shroud back it turns into a fully functional keyboard and touchpad. Obviously, being a thin plastic sheet, the cover is relying on touch for key presses, not the actual depression of mechanical switches. So, while that means it's theoretically possible to touchtype on this bad boy, it remains to be seen just how pleasant of an experience it actually is. Our guess -- it'll be fine for quick emails and Google Bing searches, but we probably wouldn't have to write the Surface review on one. Now, the Type Cover on the other hand, perhaps we'd consider drafting lengthy posts on. It's safe to assume this one is thicker and heavier, turning your tablet into something more closely resembling an Ultrabook. But, it does have a traditional keyboard with solid plastic, separated keys as opposed to a pressure sensitive pad. Perhaps one of the more interesting features though, is their ability to force Win 8 to color coordinate with your chosen shade of folio. Click the blue Touch Cover on to the Surface and the background switches to a soothing shade azure. There's even an accelerometer inside those 3mm-thin softer covers -- which is an impressive feat of engineering. The Touch Covers can easily distinguish between you simply resting your hands on the keyboard and actually typing, which should help minimize accidental key presses. We'll be back as soon as possible with some hands-on. Microsoft one ups other tablet 'smart' covers with Surface's Touch Cover and Type Cover originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT Jun 18th 2012, 23:23  Here at its mysterious, last-minute press event in Los Angeles, Microsoft just confirmed it will sell its own Microsoft-branded Windows 8 RT tablet under the Surface badge. Measuring just 9.3mm thick, the Surface for Windows RT is built around an angled, all-magnesium VaporMg case that weighs just under 1.3 pounds, with an NVIDIA-made ARM chip powering the whole affair. Microsoft's hardware partner has also gone all-out on extra touches, such as a built-in stand, twin 2x2 MIMO antennas for WiFi, and a 10.6-inch optically-bonded, Gorilla Glass 2-covered HD display. Not unlike Apple's last two generations, there's a magnetically attached covered, but it's more than just a protector: here, it includes a full multi-touch keyboard and trackpad. As for expansion, you'll get one each of HDMI, microSD and USB 2.0 (sorry folks, no 3.0) as well as either 32GB or 64GB of storage, while software includes the usual Windows 8 accoutrements and a newly Metrofied version of Netflix. The Surface for Windows RT should arrive roughly in step with Windows 8, but Microsoft is only promising pricing "competitive" with similar ARM tablets -- and you're looking for a tablet with more grunt, you can spring for the Intel-packing Surface for Windows 8 Pro. [Thanks to everyone for the link] Continue reading Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Microsoft Surface | Email this | Comments | | Live from Microsoft's mystery press conference in Los Angeles! Jun 18th 2012, 22:30  When Microsoft calls a last-minute press conference to make a "major" announcement, there's only one sensible thing to do: pack your bags, fly to Los Angeles and get ready to hear what Ballmer & Co. have to say. With no hints whatsoever (not even a cheekily worded invitation!), we've nothing but speculation and rumors to guide us as we head into this news conference. Will we hear about Win8 tablets -- specifically, a Kindle Fire competitor running Windows RT? Or maybe today's news elaborates on Xbox Music? All we know is that it won't have anything to do with Windows Phone, seeing as how Microsoft is holding another press event just two days from now where it's promised to give us a sneak peek at Apollo. Oh-so mysterious of Redmond, and all the more reason for us to host a liveblog. The doors here open at 3:30pm local time, so stay tuned as we bring you up-to-the-minute coverage on Microsoft's big reveal. June 18, 2012 6:30 PM EDT Live from Microsoft's mystery press conference in Los Angeles! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | HTC Acknowledges One X WiFi bug on Tegra 3 models Jun 18th 2012, 22:19  There's always some snag with these big flagship devices it seems. The iPhone 4 had antennagate, Verizon's Galaxy Nexus couldn't seem to stay connected and now the One X is joining the parade with some serious WiFi issues. Some users have complained of weak WiFi reception and, alarmingly, a rather odd fix. Simply squeezing the device in the right place could drastically improve signal strength indicating the issue may be hardware based. HTC has confirmed the issue and identified a fix that involves strengthening the connecting points on the phone's WiFi antenna. Interestingly, the issue has only been reported in Tegra 3 models so far, but we'd stop shy of saying it only affects those units. If you're experiencing problems with the WiFi on your One X you can call HTC's customer support to confirm the issue and obtain a replacement device. HTC Acknowledges One X WiFi bug on Tegra 3 models originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Android Central 1, 2 | Email this | Comments | |
