Microsoft Corporation

Adding more bundle into its offer...

Microsoft will add Outlook to more tablets this year

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft will add its popular Outlook email programme to more tablets running on a lightweight version of its Windows operating system as part of a free software update this year.

The Outlook 2013 app will be given to owners of Microsoft’s Surface tablet and similar devices running Windows RT. That is a slimmed down version of Windows 8, a radical overhaul of the ubiquitous operating system used on most personal computers.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gadgets/...blets-year

(24-04-2013, 12:21 PM)CityFarmer Wrote: Any company already has corporate plan to upgrade to this Surface for office work?

Microsoft Surface Pro to launch by end June

SINGAPORE — The Microsoft Surface Pro will launch in Singapore by the end of June, announced Microsoft today. The exact date of the launch in unknown.

The launch in Singapore comes together with the launch in Korea, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom will have the Surface Pro launch in May. The Surface Pro has already launched in the United States, Canada and China.

The Surface Pro comes with full support for Windows 7 and 8 applications and is said to be a full PC in tablet form, unlike the Surface RT, which comes with a modified version of Window 8 that runs on ARM processors that lacks somes functionality. The Surface Pro also comes with a stylus for input.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...h-end-june

Looks like Surface Pro has been launched in Singapore. Singtel is having a PC Show 2013 Promo with their Broadband plans.

Also, from Microsoft website

Microsoft opens Office to iPhone

NEW YORK — Even as a pared-down version of Microsoft’s Office software package arrived on the iPhone, the company is holding out on extending that to the iPad and Android devices as it tries to boost sales of tablet computers running its own Windows system.

Microsoft also isn’t selling Office Mobile for iPhone separately. Instead, it comes as part of a US$100-a-year (available to Singapore users from S$129.99 per year) Office 365 subscription, which also lets you use Office on up to five Mac and Windows computers. Microsoft made the app available through Apple’s app store Friday.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...ice-iphone

Windows offers ‘Fast, fluid, perfect for touch’ Internet: Microsoft

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 11 along with Windows 8.1, claiming to offer a unique Web and computing experience based on touch.

The Windows maker emphasised the importance of a touchscreen interface for the latest devices, hoping that users will forget the lacklustre performance of Windows 8 and embrace new machines with Windows 8.1.

The upgrade, which will be released in the autumn and is currently in preview, includes the return of the Start menu as well as more forward thinking moves such as the support of 3D printing.

Key to the new software, however, is an upgrade to Internet Explorer, and the company claimed IE11 is “fast, fluid and perfect for touch”. Microsoft said IE11 would load pages faster and offer better browsing across a range of devices.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/windows-...-microsoft

What a overhaul....

With managerial reshuffle, it’s all change in the Microsoft office

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft launched its biggest internal overhaul in five years to streamline the development of products from Windows to tablets, hoping to catch nimbler rivals in mobile and cloud computing.

Lack of coordination and infighting have hurt innovation within the US$74 billion (S$93 billion) revenue, 98,000-employee company, which hopes to accelerate the design of products that appeal to a new generation of users more accustomed to smartphones and tablets than laptops or PCs.

Development of Windows will now be folded into one group headed by Mr Terry Myerson, who previously focused only on Windows Phone and now has responsibility for tailoring the flagship operating software for devices ranging from the traditional PC to tablets and gaming consoles.

Ms Julie Larson-Green, previously the co-chief of the main Windows division, will oversee a new division charged with all hardware devices, from the Surface tablet to the Xbox.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/manageri...oft-office

Apple and MS are working on "wearable watch"... next fashion trend?

Microsoft testing ‘Surface watch’: Reports

REDMOND (Washington) — Rumours that Microsoft is planning to jump on the wearable computing bandwagon are gathering pace, amid reports that the team responsible for the company’s Surface tablet is now testing a smart watch based on Windows 8.

Microsoft was revealed to be working on a design for a smart watch in April, when the Wall Street Journal reported that the company was in discussions with suppliers in Asia to source 1.5-inch displays and other components for the devices.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...ch-reports

Surface sales wasn't good, align with my observations during shop visits...

Microsoft profit falls short as Surface sales languish

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft yesterday reported lower-than-expected quarterly earnings as slow personal computer sales ate into its Windows business and the company took an unexpected US$900 million (S$1.14 billion) charge for its inventory of unsold Surface tablets, sending its shares down 5 per cent after hours.

The massive charge underlines the struggles of the world’s largest software company, which last week announced a deep reorganisation to transform itself into a “devices and services” leader but is struggling to compete with Apple and Google.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...s-languish

when will Singapore drop the price of Surface RT? I might consider buy one.

(19-07-2013, 11:55 AM)freedom Wrote: when will Singapore drop the price of Surface RT? I might consider buy one.

I did try out the Surface RT at Challenger. Previously, I was thinking the cover cum keyboard was a great idea and a possible selling point together with the scaled down Office software. After trying out the keyboard, I guess I belong to the older generation who still prefer to have the tactile feel of a normal keyboard... Without that, not much difference to typing on an onscreen keyboard... I tend to make a lot of spelling mistakes.. For an older person with long sightedness, the screen is also too small to do any serious work...

Surface Pro may be better? But, not much difference to any other Tablets / NBs with docking ability...

(19-07-2013, 02:42 PM)KopiKat Wrote:

(19-07-2013, 11:55 AM)freedom Wrote: when will Singapore drop the price of Surface RT? I might consider buy one.

I did try out the Surface RT at Challenger. Previously, I was thinking the cover cum keyboard was a great idea and a possible selling point together with the scaled down Office software. After trying out the keyboard, I guess I belong to the older generation who still prefer to have the tactile feel of a normal keyboard... Without that, not much difference to typing on an onscreen keyboard... I tend to make a lot of spelling mistakes.. For an older person with long sightedness, the screen is also too small to do any serious work...

Surface Pro may be better? But, not much difference to any other Tablets / NBs with docking ability...

I think the selling point is mobility. You can easily carry it with its keyboard almost anywhere.

at home, I still prefer the traditional desktop or notebook.