Surface RT tablets getting Windows 8.1 RT Update 3 in September

Posted on by Anton D. Nagy

“We are working on an update for Surface, which will have some of the functionality of Windows 10. More information to come”, said Microsoft back in January, shortly after unveiling Windows 10 upgrade plans (free upgrade for users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1). Windows RT was not part of the list, and said update we heard about back in January is likely to arrive in September.Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul (General Manager OSG Data and Fundamentals team) took it to Twitter to inform Windows RT users, owners of a Surface RT, that “Windows 8.1 RT Update 3 will be available ...

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Just how much has Surface cost Microsoft?

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

The initial launch of Microsoft’s Surface tablets wasn’t without its upsets: one year in, we were looking at close to a billion dollars in losses for Microsoft due to unsold Surface RT inventory. But since then we’ve seen the arrival of the Surface 2 family, not to mention the Surface Pro 3 earlier this year – are they faring any better? Well, we’ve heard good things about Pro 3 sales, and ...

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LG G Flex goes live unofficially, BBM results, Sony Xperia Z1S event & more – Pocketnow Daily

Posted on by Jaime Rivera

Watch today’s Pocketnow Daily as we talk about the initial results of BBM for iOS and Android, which are surprisingly quite positive. Microsoft is next as the company will retain the first-generation Surface for another year, though with a different name this time. We then talk about Samsung and its Galaxy Gear, and when to expect compatibility with other Galaxy smartphones aside from the Note 3. Sony takes the spotlight next as the company has already begun sending press invites for their possible announcement of the Xperia Z1S. We end today’s show talking about the LG G Flex, ...

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Microsoft strips “RT” from first-gen Surface name, downplays desktop mode

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

Windows RT continues to cause Microsoft headaches, and while some users are perfectly happy with what it offers, others have been frustrated by limited functionality and app selection when compared to tablets running full versions of Windows 8. We’ve already seen Microsoft drop the “RT” name from the Surface 2, and recently heard the company discussing user confusion stemming from the RT/Pro distinction. This week, we see some further signs of this move to distance ...

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Microsoft admits consumers confused about RT/Pro distinction

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

Microsoft’s first round of Surface tablets wasn’t without its problems, and for us many of those focused squarely on the Surface RT. We had question not just about whether or not the tablet’s hardware was up to the job, but also about the idea of Windows RT in the first place, offering users a seriously limited slice of the greater Windows ecosystem. This year, we saw Microsoft drop the “RT” from the Surface 2′s name and wondered ...

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Google Gem smartwatch, HTC Android/WP8 handset leaks, Ballmer pay cut & more – Pocketnow Daily

Posted on by Jaime Rivera

Watch today’s Pocketnow Daily as we talk about Steve Ballmer’s recent pay cut on his bonus due to the poor results of the Surface RT. We then go through BlackBerry’s financial situation, and how long they have to live. HTC is next as the company’s quarter results prove devastating results, even though there is talk of a dual-mode Android/Windows Phone smartphone in the works. We then talk about the Samsung Galaxy Gear, and where you can get it now for $90 off. We end today’s show talking about Android 4.3.1 and also the recent rumors of Google Gem, which is ...

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Surface RT failures hit home for Ballmer; board reduces bonus

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

We were only just thinking about the struggles Microsoft’s had with its first-gen Surface tablets, specifically the Surface RT, as news arrived that sales of this year’s new Surface 2 models could be off to a strong start. But even as Microsoft gets ready to put the original Surface RT behind it, it doesn’t look like it’s quite willing to forget about just how bit a mess that all was, and at least some of the blame is falling on Steve ...

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Microsoft, you can’t buy our way into using Windows Phone

Posted on by Taylor Martin

Earlier today, I explained that Windows Phone is finally gaining the traction it deserves in countries around the world. It’s great to finally see the platform give Android and iOS some much-needed competition, though the platform has a lot of ground to make up to compete with the likes of either on a global scale. And Microsoft’s most recent program is indicative of just that. Forbes reported last week that Microsoft was

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Top 5 things we love about the Surface 2

Posted on by Taylor Martin

The original Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets were promising of a new Microsoft willing to adapt and capable of becoming relevant in the mobile computing space once again. The Surface RT, to be concise, fell short of our expectations. The software and user experience left much to be desired, with lag and a shortage of apps to blame. The Surface Pro, on the other hand, proved to be a much more capable and fitting ...

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Microsoft Surface 2 rumor round-up: what to expect

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

Microsoft’s got some new tablets on the horizon, and tomorrow, at the company’s New York City launch event, we plan to get the full scoop on the second generation of Surface models. Of course, even with these tablets still under wraps we’ve been talking a lot about them, and have heard all nature of rumors concerning what could be waiting for us. As we wait for Microsoft to pull back the curtain, let’s take a look at what we’re expecting to see. Well, for one we might not see a new Surface RT this ...

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Google Nexus 5 dates, Quickoffice goes free, Microsoft admits defeat & more – Pocketnow Daily

Posted on by Jaime Rivera

Watch today’s Pocketnow Daily as we talk about HP’s introduction of a couple of new Android tablets running on Tegra 4 hardware. Microsoft is next as Steve Ballmer discusses the reality of Windows Phone 8, the Surface, and other flops, even though we also have some hot leaks of Windows Phone 8.1 as well. Google is next as the company has now made their Quickoffice service free for all Android and iOS customers. Then we talk about the Moto X going affordable on Republic Wireless, which also makes the plan for it affordable. We end today’s show talking about the Nexus 5, ...

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Following Surface tablets themselves, Microsoft set to discount Touch Covers?

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

If you’re rocking a Microsoft Surface tablet without either the matching Touch or Type cover, you’re seriously missing out. Unfortunately, the keyboard covers have been positioned as accessories, rather than innate parts of the Surface experience, and pretty darn expensive ones at that, running at least an extra $100 on top of your tablet purchase. We’ve already seen Microsoft take an axe to Surface prices, and a new leak suggest that Touch Covers are about to see some price cuts of their own. Sadly,

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Pocketnow Weekly 058: YouTube app wars, a WP8 HTC One, & the future of phone customization

Posted on by Michael Fisher

When companies fight, customers (usually) lose – but podcasters win, big time. On this episode of the Pocketnow Weekly, we’ll be reaping some of the few benefits of the great Google-Microsoft battle of 2013: namely, the ability to piss and moan and armchair-quarterback. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of ammunition for the discussion, as we’re also fresh from customizing our own Moto X devices, re-reviewing the Surface RT, and observing the initial, wobbly launch efforts ...

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Microsoft Surface RT – After The Buzz, Episode 022 (Video)

Posted on by Michael Fisher

Most new device launches go the same way: usually the press gets review units before they’re widely available, and we get to use them for a few days -or a week if we’re lucky- as we work on our review. Then press day arrives. The embargo on media coverage lifts, and everyone posts their reviews and videos at the same time. It’s a huge frenzy, commenters go nuts, and it’s a giant explosion of frantic opinion-sharing activity. For about … a day. And then it all goes away. Sure, there’s followup coverage as people find bugs and hidden features, but after that initial blast, not ...

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Investors sue Microsoft over misleading claims of Surface sales performance

Posted on by Stephen Schenck

Microsoft’s Surface tablets – and the Surface RT in particular – haven’t been the runaway hits the company might have hoped for. Recently, we’ve witnessed a number of price cuts in efforts to boost sales, and learned of the nearly billion dollar losses Microsoft was facing due to making more Surface RTs than it could sell. Now a lawsuit seeks to hold Microsoft accountable for its failings, accusing the company of engaging in false and ...

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