Mobile recap: Spartan browser; Apple Watch battery; goodbye RT
Big week for Microsoft
You might as well have called these past few days “Windows Week” because Microsoft was in the spotlight for much of it. The…
Windows RT
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So that Surface Mini was real after all; maybe it’s not quite dead yet
The Surface Mini is alive according to Brad Sams who says he used one. Thanks to the digital pen and OneNote, Sams thinks Surface Mini was a viable product. Perhaps recent changes to Windows Phone will give the device another lease on life.
Microsoft’s new wireless keyboard works with Windows tablets, iPhones, iPads and Android devices
Microsoft’s cross-platform approach doesn’t just apply to software. The company will sell a new Bluetooth keyboard next month that works with Windows tablets, iOS and Android devices. A dedicated button brings you home regardless of which device you’re using.
Goodbye, “phone”: Windows-only branding leaks out on a handset
An internal image of a new Microsoft-powered handset shows a Windows logo only; there’s no Windows Phone on the device. This makes sense as Microsoft is unifying its platforms and opens the door to Wi-Fi tablets with the software.
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Microsoft adds LTE to Surface 2 tablet, which will cost $679
Microsoft’s Surface 2 get a bit more useful thanks to an integrated LTE radio for AT&T’s network. Expect to pay a $130 premium over the Wi-Fi edition when the device goes on sale tomorrow.
AT&T Lumia 2520 available on contract for $399, $499 with pay as you go LTE options
AT&T announced contract options for the Lumia 2520 tablet running Windows RT 8.1, but if you ask the right questions, you find the contract-free pricing and per session LTE data costs. That may be a better way to go if you want Nokia’s tablet.
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First look at Microsoft’s Surface 2: Improved, but is it enough?
Microsoft’s new Surface 2 is available and much better than its predecessor in nearly every way. My first impressions are mainly positive, but there are still some unresolved challenges if Microsoft expects Surface 2 to be a hit.
Through Nokia, Microsoft may soon have another 6 mobile devices for sale
Now that Microsoft has a mobile hardware division in Nokia, it really doesn’t need its old smartphone and tablet partners. Knowing that, Nokia looks to be ready to debut a half-dozen new devices, which could boost Stephen Elop’s chances at becoming Microsoft’s CEO.
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Windows RT looking more likely to “merge” with Windows Phone
Comments from a company executive offer another clue that Microsoft is working to unify the app experience between Windows Phone and Windows RT. That could help the overall value proposition for RT… and Windows Phone.
These are the devices that will kill off Windows RT
The next generation of Windows 8.1 tablets with Intel’s new Atom chip may end Windows RT and Surface RT. Here’s a rundown of some upcoming devices that start at $299 for a full Windows 8.1 experience with 10+ hours of run time.
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Surface 2 devices are debuting this month; here’s what to expect
Heads up: New Surface products are expected to debut on September 23. We’ll be on hand to see Microsoft’s new tablets, but until then, here’s what we think we’ll see. Some nice hardware upgrades, along with Windows 8.1, could help Surface sales.
Let’s get real: Nobody will license Windows Phone or Windows RT now
Microsoft will still license Windows Phone and Windows RT after the $7.17 billion deal to purchase Nokia’s Devices and Services business but will anyone take them up on it? Not a chance, save for some devices in the pipeline already.
Nokia’s Windows RT tablet allegedly breaks cover: Say hello to Sirius
More details surfaced on Nokia’s potential Windows RT tablet and they line up with my earlier thoughts on how Microsoft can save the product: a much faster processor, better screen and improved hardware. Can that support iPad-like pricing?
Microsoft reportedly cutting Surface Touch Cover prices to $79
The cost-cutting for Surface products continues. Following a price drop on the Surface RT and Surface Pro computers, Microsoft’s Touch Cover for both products will reportedly cost $79.99 on August 30; a $40 savings.
Images of a Nokia Windows RT tablet leak. Could Nokia help save the platform?
Alleged images of a Nokia-built Windows RT tablet have leaked online. Now could be the perfect time for Nokia to join the RT army: Other hardware partners abandoned the platform just as it’s starting to improve.
Yes, Microsoft could turn the next Surface RT into a winner. Here’s how.
It’s no surprise that Microsoft’s Surface RT isn’t a hit. The Windows RT platform as a whole isn’t faring much better. But it wouldn’t take too many changes to turn an updated Surface RT product into a potential winner.
Why Qualcomm is likely to power Microsoft’s next Surface RT
Nvidia’s Tegra 3 was chosen to power Microsoft’s Surface RT, but with Windows 8.1 coming, a tablet refresh is likely in the near future. There are plenty of reasons that Microsoft will choose Qualcomm over Nvidia this time around.
Dell mistakenly sees hope in Windows RT where others don’t
Among Microsoft’s hardware partners few are publicly backing Windows RT after low sales and demand. Dell is standing out from the crowd here, likely in an attempt at relevancy in the mobile market. But it’s not a good bet on Dell’s part.
Podcast Q&A: BB 10 data plans? Ink in Surface RT? Console gaming v. phones?
It’s another edition of our call-in podcast where we take your questions and provide answers. This week: Windows RT inking, useful Android freeware, BlackBerry 10 data plans and more.
Dude, Dell’s got a Windows RT tablet; the $499 XPS 10
Dell’s XPS 10 is the company’s tablet that runs Microsoft Windows RT and it starts at a reasonable $499. Add the useful keyboard dock though — which also includes additional ports and a second battery — and you’re looking at a base price of $679. Is that compelling?
Why Microsoft hasn’t made a good enough case for Surface RT
Normally, my gadget addiction compels me to buy new devices as soon as they’re available. So why didn’t I pre-order Microsoft’s Surface with Windows RT tablet? One key reason is that Microsoft hasn’t explained why I should; essentially this is a brand new mobile platform.
