Microsoft's 'major' June 18 event said to showcase Windows RT tablets
Microsoft has begun teasing that it has a "major" announcement to make at a media event next Monday, June 18, while one report states that the company will show off new ARM-based tablets running Windows RT.
Members of the press were invited by Microsoft to a media event in Los Angeles next Monday for a "major Microsoft announcement." No other details were offered by the company.
Citing "sources outside the company," Ina Fried of All Things D reported on Thursday that the L.A. event is expected to show ARM-based tablets running Windows 8. The event will also reportedly "highlight some of the kinds of programs and services that will run on the products."
Windows 8 is scheduled to launch later this year on both traditional PCs, and portable low-power tablets featuring ARM processors. Apple's iPad, which currently dominates the tablet market, is based on a custom ARM processor.
This April, Microsoft revealed that Windows 8 on ARM devices would be known as Windows RT. It will be offered alongside Windows 8 on traditional PCs, and Windows 8 Pro, a more full-featured version of the desktop operating system.
Windows RT won't be sold at retail, and will only be available preinstalled on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors. Microsoft hopes this will enable new thin and light form factors with improved battery life.
Windows RT is also set to include a touch-optimized version of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The company is also rumored to launch a version of Office for iPad on Nov. 10 of this year, a date that could allow the company to first launch Windows RT and not give the iPad an early advantage with access to Office.
The ARM-based version of Windows 8 will not support installation of traditional computer software. Instead, Microsoft intends for developers to to focus on WinRT, the new Windows runtime that will form "the foundation of a new generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps of all kinds."
But some see Microsoft's approach with Windows RT as potentially confusing for consumers. Mark Moskowitz of J.P. Morgan said in May that he feels the multitude of Windows-branded devices could end up benefitting Apple, as the iPad maker offers a more integrated solution and streamlined product lineup that could be less intimidating to consumers.
"We think that the consumer could be confused and distracted by the bevy of PCs, tablets, e-readers, and hybrid devices slated for release later this year," Moskowitz said. "A combination of varying operating systems and hardware form factors are the key reasons."
He said that a total of seven ARM-based Windows RT devices will be available at launch this October. He believes the general lack of available devices, relative to the sprawling PC market, is being driven by Microsoft, as the Redmond, Wash., software giant aims to maintain tight control over the initial release for quality control purposes.
Members of the press were invited by Microsoft to a media event in Los Angeles next Monday for a "major Microsoft announcement." No other details were offered by the company.
Citing "sources outside the company," Ina Fried of All Things D reported on Thursday that the L.A. event is expected to show ARM-based tablets running Windows 8. The event will also reportedly "highlight some of the kinds of programs and services that will run on the products."
Windows 8 is scheduled to launch later this year on both traditional PCs, and portable low-power tablets featuring ARM processors. Apple's iPad, which currently dominates the tablet market, is based on a custom ARM processor.
This April, Microsoft revealed that Windows 8 on ARM devices would be known as Windows RT. It will be offered alongside Windows 8 on traditional PCs, and Windows 8 Pro, a more full-featured version of the desktop operating system.
Windows RT won't be sold at retail, and will only be available preinstalled on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors. Microsoft hopes this will enable new thin and light form factors with improved battery life.
Windows RT is also set to include a touch-optimized version of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The company is also rumored to launch a version of Office for iPad on Nov. 10 of this year, a date that could allow the company to first launch Windows RT and not give the iPad an early advantage with access to Office.
The ARM-based version of Windows 8 will not support installation of traditional computer software. Instead, Microsoft intends for developers to to focus on WinRT, the new Windows runtime that will form "the foundation of a new generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps of all kinds."
But some see Microsoft's approach with Windows RT as potentially confusing for consumers. Mark Moskowitz of J.P. Morgan said in May that he feels the multitude of Windows-branded devices could end up benefitting Apple, as the iPad maker offers a more integrated solution and streamlined product lineup that could be less intimidating to consumers.
"We think that the consumer could be confused and distracted by the bevy of PCs, tablets, e-readers, and hybrid devices slated for release later this year," Moskowitz said. "A combination of varying operating systems and hardware form factors are the key reasons."
He said that a total of seven ARM-based Windows RT devices will be available at launch this October. He believes the general lack of available devices, relative to the sprawling PC market, is being driven by Microsoft, as the Redmond, Wash., software giant aims to maintain tight control over the initial release for quality control purposes.
Comments
No major comment.
Yawn.
I have a "major." In my pants.
DOA
I have a feeling the first sentence should have read that Microsoft has a "massive to make." That makes much more sense. Although a "massive" from Balmer is a scary thought.
Yeah, but Steve Ballmer wants to show you his "major"...
Cloud enabled, touch enabled, web connected. Yup, nothing "new generation" about that, unless you're Microsoft and you've just arrived at the year 2010.
Windows RT tablets are going to be awesome. Tablets that can run full desktop apps will be killer devices. What's that? Those tablets won't be able to run desktop apps? Oh? There will be Windows 8 tablets that can?
Oh well. I'm sure consumers will understand the difference.
Why does there always have to be a 'Start' menu? is it because it always crashes and you have 'Start' over? It makes no sense in an always on device.
function SOswitchMenu() {var el = document.getElementById('bodyDiv');if ( el.style.display != "none" ) { el.style.display = 'none';}else { el.style.display = '';}var el2 = document.getElementById('h2');if ( el2.className == "calHeader goog-zippy-expanded normalText" ) { el2.className = "calHeader goog-zippy-collapsed normalText";return;}if ( el2.className == "calHeader goog-zippy-collapsed normalText" ) { el2.className = "calHeader goog-zippy-expanded normalText";return;}}function SOswitchMenu() {var el = document.getElementById('bodyDiv');if ( el.style.display != "none" ) { el.style.display = 'none';}else { el.style.display = '';}var el2 = document.getElementById('h2');if ( el2.className == "calHeader goog-zippy-expanded normalText" ) { el2.className = "calHeader goog-zippy-collapsed normalText";return;}if ( el2.className == "calHeader goog-zippy-collapsed normalText" ) { el2.className = "calHeader goog-zippy-expanded normalText";return;}}
function SOframeReload() {var f = document.getElementById('soFrame');f.src = f.src;} There are a lot of network managers out there who have been stalling over iPads like crazy, waiting for these tablets to arrive. Being Windows based, they can lock them down so tight on data protection ground and to prevent inappropriate communication, that they can render the real versatility of a Window 8 tablet next to useless. Hang on thats not the same as Windows RT isn't it.
We do need to worry about the Windows 8 based tablet because, if the hype is to be believed, it's good....luckily we can rely on the Windows RT confusion and network managers to render them disappointing and useless.
function SOframeReload() {var f = document.getElementById('soFrame');f.src = f.src;}
"He believes the general lack of available devices, relative to the sprawling PC market, is being driven by Microsoft, as the Redmond, Wash., software giant aims to maintain tight control over the initial release for quality control purposes."
Hmmm... something new in Redmond... quality control.
If MS can keep the price of tablets at $200 they might be able to pull this off. But if they price it comparable to the iPad it will be DOA.
Wonder what a Windows RT BSOD looks like?
It's the Zune Redux. GL MS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by focher
Windows RT tablets are going to be awesome. Tablets that can run full desktop apps will be killer devices. What's that? Those tablets won't be able to run desktop apps? Oh? There will be Windows 8 tablets that can?
Oh well. I'm sure consumers will understand the difference.
Then buy a Windows 8 - based tablet that uses an i5/i7 CPU instead. Then you DO have the killer device you mentioned.
Those same consumers that you mentioned would be just as confused with the continuing fragmentation of capabilities across iOS devices. [Facetime over 3g only works on iPhone 4S model, not the iPhone 4. Don't forget the lack of Siri on the iPhone 4 even though it even worked on the 3GS before Apple bought the tech - cough BS....]
I
This is Microsoft's attempt to freeze the market just as they did on the old days with vaporware that never made it to market, although these products will eventually arrive. Their real problem is that Apple has not yet announced the updates to the iPhone and iPad which will unlock this market as people tire of waiting for the MS-powered devices to arrive. The biggest loser here could be Sammy who would otherwise look to have the summer to themselves without much "new" competition.
Remember when XP came out, the popular sentiment was that Fisher-Price had infiltrated their design team?
This time, it looks like Duplo got the invite.
Pretty soon, they're going to run out of things to regress to.
wonder what they will copy from apple this time.
Whatever its limitations I think it's great that somebody is making the effort to work out a different approach to the touchscreen interface, rather than just ripping off Apple' as Samsung, HTC and the other 'I Scream Sandwich' clones have. The rip-off of the form-factor is another matter.
I'm gonna queue myself around the block for this one.