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.
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.
We all remember when Microsoft held a rather mysterious event that brought us the initial announcement and showcasing of the gorgeous looking Surface tablet. Microsoft managed to create something that we couldn't wait to get our hands on and try out, but unfortunately, the lines of communication seemed to stop with more information only recently starting to surface thanks to the looming launch date of the hardware. As part of the run-up to the official release on October 26th, the first Microsoft Surface TV advertisement has landed on the web, and to accompany the rather awesome looking ad; Microsoft (by accident we’re assuming) has slipped out the official pricing points of the Surface RT tablet.
Microsoft seems to be getting pretty good at producing video commercials that make their products stand out from the rest. I'm pretty sure we have all seem the wonderful TV commercial for Internet Explorer that makes us actually want to give IE a second chance. Apart from that, we also recently saw the first Windows 8 ad going live that introduces us to the OS.
When it comes to mobile apps, we are used to large companies being way behind the game and playing by their own rules in terms of releasing updates and software to support new firmware, platforms and device specifications. You can forgive the lax attitude from indie developers who may not have as many resources to throw into development as large organizations have, but you would kind of expect the bigger companies to update their apps ahead of time. We definitely can't put Netflix in that bracket as they have already launched their Windows 8 compatible app ahead of time.
The Windows steam train is definitely in full flight and with Microsoft looking forward to the October 26th launch date of Windows 8 and their new Surface tablets, the time has officially come when consumers can start pre-ordering upgrade copies of Windows 8 Pro from a variety of selected retail outlets for $69.99.
