Students can get a free Xbox One with a Surface Pro 4
With a new, slimmer Xbox One waiting in the wings, Microsoft is doing everything in its power to get rid of the older model. The original Xbox One is already down to $299, and starting today students can get it for free when they buy a Surface Pro 4 in the US. As the Verge reports, you’ll need to step into a retail store to take advantage of the deal — it runs until August 14th and will be sold as a $300 discount on the pair’s combined price. “So basically a free Xbox One with the purchase of a Surface Pro 4,” Terry Myerson, head of Windows and devices at Microsoft confirmed.
The deal could be a compelling one-two combo if you’re about to start college. It’s this time of year that young scholars start thinking about a new laptop purchase; a free Xbox One is an obvious and relatively budget-friendly way to sort out your in-dormitory entertainment at the same time.
The trade-off, of course, is that you’re buying into older hardware. The Xbox One S is a sleek-looking beast and the Surface Pro 4 was released last October — there’s no word on a successor to the laptop hybrid, but you have to imagine Microsoft is working on something. If you take the plunge, just be aware that you might feel some buyer’s remorse by Christmas.
Source: The Verge
Microsoft will stop making the Surface 3 in December
Microsoft’s Surface 3 has been on the market for over a year with no successor in sight, but it now looks like the lower-cost Windows tablet is on its way out… well, eventually. The company has confirmed to ZDNet that it will stop producing the Surface 3 by the end of December, or more than a year and a half after it hit store shelves. As it stands, the company says that stock is “limited.” You might not get the model you want at your preferred store, then.
The question is whether or not there will be a replacement around that time, assuming there is one in the works. Microsoft says that there has been “strong demand and satisfaction” for the Surface 3, but it’d odd to wind down sales of a popular product half a year before production stops. And there’s no doubt that the higher-end Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are the stars of this hardware generation. While the Surface 3 lowered the barrier to getting a Microsoft tablet with pen support and a full app ecosystem, its Atom chip and limited storage make it a tough sell as a laptop replacement. This isn’t necessarily the end of the line for non-Pro Surface models. However, Microsoft may only want to jump back in when it can sync with a major new Windows release (ZDNet points to the rumored “Redstone 2”) and make a more compelling case for a lower-cost tablet.
Source: ZDNet
Microsoft now offering Surface Membership Plans
Microsoft has quietly introduced a Surface Membership Plan that allows small businesses to keep up with the latest Surface hardware and buy the devices on a monthly payment plan. Starting at $32.99 per month, business users get “the latest Surface devices, accessories, support, and training.” The membership plan includes the current generation Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, and Surface 3, but it also comes with free upgrades when newer models become available.
As Thurrott.com points out, the membership program follows the iPhone Upgrade program that Apple introduced last year. The Surface memberships also include setup, personal training, in-store tech support, an extended service plan and Accidental Damage Protection. The monthly costs vary, depending on the model and whether you stretch out the payments over 18, 24 or 30 months, but the cheapest is a basic Surface Pro 3 for $33 per month over 30 months. The most expensive will run you about $221 per month for a tricked-out Surface Book with a 1TB hard drive, 16 GB RAM, Intel i7 processor and dual GPUs.
That also means, at the end of the installments, you’ll have shelled out about $3,978 for that Surface Book, versus $3,448 for the same machine with just a two-year service plan and no other bundled deals (or $3,199 if you live on the edge and skip the service plan). For the budget Surface 3, the membership plan works out to $990 total over two and a half years, versus $600 for the device with no extras.
One other thing to note here: the plans are meant for business customers and not individuals, although you can still sign up to order only a single device, rather than a whole fleet. Also, in order to be approved for the membership plan, you’ll have to go through Microsoft’s financing partner LiftForward to handle all the monthly payments and credit applications.
Microsoft kills what’s left of the old Nokia
Last week, Microsoft sold off what remained of Nokia’s feature phone business while Windows Phone’s market share slid below a single percent. Now, the company has taken what’s clearly the last step in correcting Steve Ballmer’s decision to purchase the mobile world’s former number one. The Verge has secured an internal memo from Microsoft’s Terry Myerson saying that the company will cull 1,850 jobs, 1,350 of which are in Finland. The company has also recorded a $950 million impairment and restructuring charge on its balance sheet, of which $200 million will be severance payouts to those employees.
The job cuts are, essentially, rinsing the company of almost all of its obligations towards the smoldering remains of Nokia. Microsoft went to pains to state that the firm’s Finnish sales vision are protected, with the cuts entirely focused on Microsoft Mobile Oy. As CEO Satya Nadella says, the company is focusing its phone efforts where it has “differentiation — with enterprises that value security, manageability and our Continuum capability.”
When Microsoft sold off its feature phone business, it put out a weirdly-worded statement that only affirmed a commitment to “support” Windows Phone devices. The implication being that it was done actually building handsets itself, and will instead let third parties like Acer, HP and VAIO take over. Alternatively, it’s rumored that Lumia as a brand is done, and the company will instead build a mobile device from its more successful Surface division.
“This in fact describes what we are doing (we’re scaling back, but we’re not out!), but at the same time I don’t love it because it lacks the emotional impact of this decision.”
Recode has published a copy of the internal memo, in which Terry Myerson explains that the company is scaling back, but is refusing to abandon mobile altogether. He also mentions that Microsoft will continue to “develop great new devices,” although that’s no indication that it’ll manufacture them off its own back. A bigger part of the firm’s focus, however, will be to “embrace other mobile platforms with our productivity services,” or getting its apps and services available on Android and iOS devices.
Via: The Verge
Source: Microsoft, Recode
Detachable tablet sales are taking off
The tablet market might be tanking as a whole, but there’s apparently one major bright spot: tablets with detachable keyboards. While IDC estimates that slate shipments were down almost 14 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter, shipments of detachables more than doubled to 8.1 million. That’s about 12 percent of the entire space, folks. Analysts suspect that many people want to treat tablets as PC replacements, and they’re willing to pay a premium to make that happen.
You won’t win any prizes for guessing who’s at the front, though. Category pioneer Microsoft reportedly shipped 1.6 million Surface tablets (most of them Pros), while Apple shipped over 2 million iPad Pros in the device’s inaugural quarter. Design experience, brand recognition and sheer financial clout clearly went a long way.
This isn’t to say that companies need detachables for success. IDC notes that some of the hottest action came from low-end tablets, like Amazon’s $50 Fire tablet and various models from Huawei or Lenovo. However, it’s no wonder that Samsung and others are getting into the detachable tablet game. It’s not only a booming category, but potentially more lucrative — even if the tablet market shrinks, you could still turn a tidy profit.
Source: IDC
Microsoft’s 1TB Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 now available
If you’ve been holding out on a Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 with more storage, you’re in luck. Microsoft announced 1TB versions of both are now up for sale in its web store. The duo also packs in a Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, so if you’re looking for a laptop, or a tablet that can replace your laptop, these certainly pack a punch.
Of course, you’ll have to shell out some funds for all that power. The new 1TB options are available in the US and Canada today, with the Surface Book priced at $3,199 and the Surface Pro 4 at $2,699. While the Surface Book will only be available online, the Surface Pro 4 will make it to Microsoft stores. What’s more, the company also has a new gold Surface Pen. It keeps the $60 price tag and 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity, working alongside the Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book. If you’re in Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, or the US, you can snag one now.
Microsoft: We need a phone as good as the Surface line
Speaking to Twit’s Windows Weekly show, Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Chris Capossela has admitted that the company’s latest Windows Phones are not enough to reverse the ailing platform’s fortunes. Describing the flagship Lumia 950 as simply “solid,” he told host Leo Laporte and Microsoft journalists Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott that the company has a lot more work to do before it can persuade people to “move from an iPhone to one of [Microsoft’s] phones.”
Capossela drew comparison to the company’s successful Surface program, which caught the public’s imagination despite “a bunch of early misfires.” He believes Microsoft needs “some sort of spiritual equivalent on the phone side that doesn’t just feel like a phone for people that love Windows.” Some are taking this to mean that Microsoft is working on a “breakthrough Surface phone.” In reality, given the context of a year-in-review podcast, it’s more likely Capossela is really just noting the sort of thing that Microsoft needs to do — create a unique device that appeals to a broad number of people. “We need time to actually build that,” he added.
The CMO also spoke about the importance of attracting the younger generation to the platform. “You need Snapchat, let’s face it,” retorted host Leo Laporte, “That’s all you really need if you want a 15-year-old.” The social app is not available on Windows Phone.
“You need Snapchat, you need Instagram … you need Uber, gotta have it. There’s 10-15 apps that you just have to have on the phone,” Capossela concurred. It’s clear Microsoft believes it has to get the hardware and OS right before customers — and developers — will flock to Windows Phone.
The full Windows Weekly episode is available on the show’s site, and the relevant segment starts at around the 38:30 mark.
Via: Tom’s Hardware
Source: Windows Weekly (Twit.tv)
[Deal] Enter now for your chance to win the Microsoft Surface Book
Tablet PC sales have been increasing in volume as they become more and more affordable. Additionally, the convenience factor that a tablet PC brings, is one of the driving forces in today’s market. Microsoft has been one of the leading providers for these devices ever since the launch of their Surface and Surface Pro lineups.
Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced another product to the Surface lineup; the Microsoft Surface Book. The Surface Book is a product designed to combat Apple head on in the tablet PC and Macbook space. This device features stunning resolution, a touchscreen, and Microsoft’s newly released Windows 10 design. Windows 10 brings a new interface to those Microsoft faithful, combining the previous iterations of Windows 7 and 8 with a tablet-like interface.
- Weighs just 3.34 lb
- Packs incredible resolution (3000 x 2000)
- Includes a detachable screen to use like a clipboard
- Handles demanding creative tasks
- Lasts for up to 12 hours per charge
- Runs Windows 10 Pro
- Includes the Surface Pen for a pen-on-paper effect
Enough talking about what the Microsoft Surface Book was designed for, now for the fun part. Just in time for the holiday season, AndroidGuys with StackCommerce is giving away one of Microsoft’s most anticipated devices of 2015. Yep, you won’t have to pay a dime to get your chance to win the Microsoft Surface Book.
Why buy an expensive laptop when you can win one? The Surface Book is Microsoft’s best work yet, running Windows 10 Pro and packing a detachable screen to be used as a clipboard. It’s as powerful as Bill Gates himself, and it’s all yours for absolutely no money. It’s simple, enter to win for your chance to call the Surface Book your own.
All you need to do is head over to the AndroidGuys Deals page, sign up for StackCommerce, and hit the “ENTER TO WIN” button. Then voila, you’re entered into the giveaway for the Surface Book.
In the meantime, drop us a line below and let us know what you think about Microsoft’s new Surface Book, and whether this is a device if you would use on a regular basis. If not, let us know why, and what you would use instead.
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AndroidGuys Deals: Microsoft Surface Book Giveaway
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Mini review video: our verdict on the Surface Pro 4 in under a minute
With each generation of the Surface Pro, Microsoft gets closer and closer to fulfilling its promise of a tablet that can replace your laptop. Last year’s Surface Pro 3 was certainly powerful enough to take on similarly priced notebooks, but the keyboard wasn’t as comfortable, and it wasn’t particularly easy to use in your lap either. Fortunately, the new Surface Pro 4 mostly addresses these flaws, with a sturdier keyboard, improved pen and slightly lighter design. Unfortunately, the battery life is about the same as last time, delivering just over seven hours of video playback in our tests. If Microsoft were to extend the runtime and include the keyboard dock in the box, we’d be inclined to give the Surface an even higher score. Even as is, though, we can finally say it’s well-rounded enough to replace a laptop.
The Surface Mini is a real tablet that you can’t buy
You’ve heard the rumors: Microsoft axed the launch of a small “Surface Mini” Windows tablet just before the Pro 3 hit stores. Hints of the canceled launch showed up in news articles, Microsoft earnings reports and even the Surface Pro 3’s user manual, but now we finally have confirmation that the tablet actually exists — and it was pretty much ready to ship alongside the Surface Pro 3. So ready that, for a time, Surface VP Panos Panay used one on a daily basis.
Source: WIRED
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