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MICROSOFT HAS UNVEILED its much-anticipated tablet computer, in a high-stakes attempt to compete with Apple’s iPad.
The company’s new product, called the Surface, was announced by CEO Steve Ballmer at an event in California yesterday. He said the tablet was part of a “whole new family of devices” being developed by Microsoft, the Guardian reports.
The device is a similar size and thickness to the iPad, but its screen is slightly larger at 10.6 inches. It will run the new Windows 8 operating system.
However, the most obvious innovation is a fold-out ‘Touch Cover’ – a 3mm-thick cover for the screen which folds down to be used as a portable keyboard.
This will allow users to type “significantly faster” than a touch screen, the company said in a statement.
Microsoft has not said how much the new tablet will cost. However, it said it will be “competitive” with “comparable” tablet devices from other manufacturers.
There was much speculation in advance of the launch, which sees Microsoft make an unusual move into hardware. It has traditionally focused on software and left the hardware field to other manufacturers.
This is Microsoft’s publicity video for the device…
YouTube/surface
…while this clip from ABC News shows the Surface tablets on show in the real world:
YouTube/ABCNews
So how does the Surface rate? PC Advisor‘s reviewer was “very impressed” by what she saw, and said the device does live up to the hype. She called the touch cover “versatile, lightweight, functional and a true aid to your productivity.”
Tech site CNET was also broadly positive – but noted that no reviewers have really got to put the Surface through its paces as yet. “I like what I’ve seen so far – I just felt I was left hanging, information-wise,” wrote reviewer Eric Franklin.
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You would think after all the wars and bloddy conflict we have had over last 120 years, this either would have been sorted out by now or governments would be terrified of the cost in lives or money, one big peeing contest.
@Valentine Kane: where have u been living, europe and the world is more at peace since ww2 than any period in history… war is part of our history and unfortunately our future. Its the type of war thats its the trouble…
Russia has had a huge win without needing to fire a shot. America has accepted Russia’s ‘ Red Lines’. Ukraine will not be joining NATO (which will do what America tells it to do) and has been instructed by the US to engage with the Minsk II Accords in order to resolve the Donbass issue.
So it is,
Russia 1. Neo Cons 0.
@Des Hanrahan: I must have missed that press release. Oh yeah, you just made it up.
@Eoin Roche: Everything I stated is correct . If you had bothered to do even cursory research you would know that .
My mistake it’s Ukraine is not in NATO apologies, time for another coffee I think
I’m confused this article states that the US was a founding member of NATO but later says the US is not a member of NATO, which is it?
Ukraine will not be allowed join NATO as it will put them at the doorstep of Russia. Unfortunate location they find themselves in.
Better brush up on my russian ,Ich bin EIN Berliner ,i think I’ll be starting from scratch ha
The weather in the next 4 weeks will be critical in determining an invasion – hopefully, it won’t freeze over and open a window for the perkies to attack
have your say