Windows 8 is finally here, and in order to join in with the festivities, we've got a couple of copies of Microsoft's brand-new operating system to give away to two of our lucky readers.
Apple may have commanded some attention earlier this week with its iPad press event, but this week was always going to be about Microsoft. After what's seem like an endless monsoon of rumor and speculation, Windows 8 has officially launched, and from 12:01am local time, consumers will be able to get their hands on the official version of the Metro-fied operating system.
Microsoft's Surface RT will hit the retail market tomorrow, and with Apple having just made quite a few changes and improvements to the iPad range yesterday, comparisons are naturally going to be drawn. While the form factor, tech specs and software have been compared on numerous occasions, one of the key aspects specific to the new Microsoft tablet is that of the multiple-user accounts support in Windows RT.
The next big event this week is coming our way courtesy of Microsoft, and it is being held in New York City tomorrow. Not wanting to be outdone and to make sure that they generate the maximum amount of interest possible, the Microsoft Newsroom has confirmed that the event will be streamed live to viewers around the world.
There is some extremely good news for video games fans out there coming from Microsoft, as the Redmond based company is getting into the holiday season spirit early by expanding their Xbox 360 console subsidy deal. You may remember that the original reduction deal first made an appearance earlier on in the year when Microsoft announced that consumers could purchase a 4GB Xbox 360 console for $99, with a monthly charged two-year Xbox LIVE subscription from participating stores.
Microsoft caused quite a stir last year when it announced the purchase of Skype for an eye-watering sum total of $8.5 billion. Some touted the sale price as grossly overvaluing of the company - one owned by eBay of course - but when one considers AOL paid 800 million bucks for Bebo, anything looks like a steal in comparison.
While Windows 8 is seen as a big step in the modernization of Microsoft, it appears the staff's behavior is a lot more in-keeping with the viral video-loving Digital Age we live in. Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft Executive and President of Windows and Windows Live division, was snapped using the upcoming tablet device as a skateboard throughout the Redmond grounds, and today, a clip has been released showing the tablet being dropped from thirty inches.
In addition to kindly providing the vital bits of information about their self-branded tablet, Microsoft has also taken the opportunity to post a rather informative video to YouTube that gives a behind the scenes look at what is actually involved in developing and manufacturing the Surface. Check out the full video after the jump.
As anybody in ownership of an Xbox 360 (or indeed, a PlayStation 3) will know, the wireless controllers are pretty versatile, and with minimal fuss, can be hooked up to many electronic products besides their respective console boxes. With the Microsoft Surface dropping next week, many were wondering whether the Redmond company's tablet would also support the Xbox's wireless controllers. In a day that has seen snaps of Steve Sinofsky skateboarding on a Surface around the Redmond complex, the software maker has taken another out-of-the-ordinary step in confirming via Reddit that the imminent slab will indeed be compatible with the Xbox game pads.
The Surface is undoubtedly going to be a very popular hardware creation for Microsoft, and even they themselves might be a little surprised at the early interest in the Windows 8 powered device. Those who are wanting to get their hands on a 32GB version of the tablet will be a little disappointed today as the online Microsoft Store is showing it as out of stock with expected delivery now being pushed back three weeks.
