Microsoft took a big step into mobile, unveiling a reqamped version of its flagship Windows system and Surface, its entry into hot tablet market.
The new Windows 8 operating system and tablet will go on sale Friday mark a new offensive for the tech gaint seeking to keep pace with Apple and Google amid a dramatic shift away from PCs to mobile devices.
"Windows 8 brings together the best of the PC and the tablet," said Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer." What you have seen and heard should leave no doubt and heard should leave no doubt that windows 8 shatters the perception of what a PC really is...It work and play and it is alive with your world."
At a New York event, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would launch in 37 languages and 140 markets. Analysts say the revamped Windows system provides an oppurnity, but the dramatic changes might not be initially welcomed.
"Windows 8 looks like a big, bold, very innovative and very different new operating system," said independent tech analyst Jeff Kagan." The problem is that Microsoft is not giving users the chance to get used to the new operating system slowly. Instead they are launching this in as all-or-nothing way."
Launching a version called Windows RT, designed for tablets and available pre-installed on devices including its own Surface tablet. It is "the perfect expression of Windows," said Microsoft's Panos Panay." It's exactly what Windows was designed to run on."
To show its durability, Panay dropped the device on stage, saying," You can drop it 72 different ways." He also displayed some units modified as skateboards.
Michael Gartenberg of the research firm Gartner said Surface" is a new category of device and one that will make sense for many consumers."
Surface, which seeks to challenge Apple's market-ruling iPads and rivals built on Google's Android software. The news comes two days after Apple introduced its iPad mini in a bid to crowd out lower-priced offerings.
Surface has a 10.6-inch screen and starts at $499, challenging the full-size iPads.
But Surface appears to be a cross between a tablet and a PC, equipped with a flip-out rear"kickstand" to prop it up like a picture frame and a cover that, when opened, acts as a keypad to switch into"desktop" mode for work tasks.
It launches in a crowded market for tablets from Apple, Google, Amazon and others, amid forecasts that global tablet sales will surpass those of PCs within a few years.
Some analysts say the Windows RT system used on Surface and other devices offers Microsoft a chance for a fresh start controlling both hardware and software in a single device.
The new mobile system "represents the best shot Microsoft has against Apple and Google," said Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies Associates." WinRT is where things are going."
Windows, the first version of which was launched in the 1990s, remains the dominant PC platform with some 90 percent of the world. But in mobiles, it is struggling against iOS and Android system.
Microsoft reported that presales of Windows 8 have out-stripped those of its predecessor by 40 per cent.
The new Windows 8 operating system and tablet will go on sale Friday mark a new offensive for the tech gaint seeking to keep pace with Apple and Google amid a dramatic shift away from PCs to mobile devices.
"Windows 8 brings together the best of the PC and the tablet," said Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer." What you have seen and heard should leave no doubt and heard should leave no doubt that windows 8 shatters the perception of what a PC really is...It work and play and it is alive with your world."
At a New York event, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would launch in 37 languages and 140 markets. Analysts say the revamped Windows system provides an oppurnity, but the dramatic changes might not be initially welcomed.
"Windows 8 looks like a big, bold, very innovative and very different new operating system," said independent tech analyst Jeff Kagan." The problem is that Microsoft is not giving users the chance to get used to the new operating system slowly. Instead they are launching this in as all-or-nothing way."
Launching a version called Windows RT, designed for tablets and available pre-installed on devices including its own Surface tablet. It is "the perfect expression of Windows," said Microsoft's Panos Panay." It's exactly what Windows was designed to run on."
To show its durability, Panay dropped the device on stage, saying," You can drop it 72 different ways." He also displayed some units modified as skateboards.
Michael Gartenberg of the research firm Gartner said Surface" is a new category of device and one that will make sense for many consumers."
Surface, which seeks to challenge Apple's market-ruling iPads and rivals built on Google's Android software. The news comes two days after Apple introduced its iPad mini in a bid to crowd out lower-priced offerings.
Surface has a 10.6-inch screen and starts at $499, challenging the full-size iPads.
It launches in a crowded market for tablets from Apple, Google, Amazon and others, amid forecasts that global tablet sales will surpass those of PCs within a few years.
Some analysts say the Windows RT system used on Surface and other devices offers Microsoft a chance for a fresh start controlling both hardware and software in a single device.
The new mobile system "represents the best shot Microsoft has against Apple and Google," said Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies Associates." WinRT is where things are going."
Windows, the first version of which was launched in the 1990s, remains the dominant PC platform with some 90 percent of the world. But in mobiles, it is struggling against iOS and Android system.
Microsoft reported that presales of Windows 8 have out-stripped those of its predecessor by 40 per cent.
Surface
|
Galaxy Note 10.1
|
iPad 4th Gen
| |
Screen
|
10.6-inch 1366x768 display
|
10.1-inch 1280x800 display
|
9.7-inch 2048x1536 display
|
Camera
|
0.9/0.9 MP
|
1.9/5 MP
|
1.2/5 MP
|
Price
|
Starts at $499
|
Starts at $499.99
|
Starts at $499
|
Battery
|
Up to 8 hours
|
Up to 10 hours
|
Up to 10 Hours
|
Memory
|
32GB or 64GB
|
16GB or 32GB or 64GB
|
16GB or 32GB or 64GB
|
Processor
|
Quad-core Tegra 3
|
Quad-core 1.4GHz
|
Dual-core 1.5GHz (speculated)
|
Size (HXWXD)
|
274x172x9.3mm, 676gms
|
246.2x170x10.9mm, 589gms
|
241.2x185.7x9.4mm, 662gms
|
Connectivity
|
WiFi-n, Bluetooth
|
WiFi-n, Bluetooth
|
WiFi-n, Bluetooth, 4G LTE
|
OS
|
Windows 8 RT
|
Android 4.1
|
iOS 6
|
Other Features
|
Microphone, MicroSD
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Compass
|
Microphone, MicroSD
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
GPS
|
Microphone
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
GPS
|
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