Tag Archives: accessories

Microsoft intros new Surface tablets

Microsoft is updating its Surface tablets that showcase their redesigned operating system Windows 8. The Surface 2 is the successor to Surface for Windows RT; its 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD display now renders 1080p, it’s powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, and its battery life promises 10 hours for video playback. Its full-size USB port has been upgraded to USB 3.0 and its front and back-facing cameras have been upped to 3.5-megapixel and 5-megapixel, respectively; both can capture 1080p video and feature improved low-light performance. Preloaded with Office Home & Student 2013 RT and Outlook 2013 RT, the Surface 2 starts at $449 and will come in 32GB and 64GB configurations when it goes on sale October 22. Customers can choose from a black or white coat this time.

The Surface Pro 2 is the successor to Surface for Windows Pro; it packs the same 10.6-inch ClearType Full 1080p HD display as the Surface 2 but it’s faster as it’s powered by Intel’s fourth-generation 1.6GHz Core i5 processor. MSFT hypes a 75 percent longer battery life than Surface Pro thanks to the new processor and other internal enhancements. The device houses three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0, a mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, and audio in/out. A two-stage kickstand, also featured on the Surface 2, gives users another angle to position their tablet. The Surface Pro 2 starts at $899 and will come in 64GB and 128GB configurations with 4GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB configurations with 8GB of RAM when it, too, hits the market October 22.

New Surface owners will get one year of free international calling and Skype hotspot access, along with 200GB of SkyDrive storage that is free for two years.

The new tablets will sell alongside some new accessories. The Touch ($119.99) and Type ($129.99) Covers are getting updated with thinner and light-weight designs. A new Power Cover ($199.99, coming in early 2014), which features a Type Cover experience, will extend your Surface’s battery life by up to 50 percent. A Docking Station for Surface Pro ($199.99, also coming early next year) will allow owners to easily connect desktop peripherals to their tablets, “taking you from laptop to desktop in an instant.” A Music Cover gives amateur DJs a new way to dive into the art of music making and remixing; release date and price is still TBA on this one.

Check out the gallery below for a closer look at the new Surface tablets and accessories.

[Via Microsoft]

Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro release date, new Surface accessories

Microsoft’s more powerful version of its Surface tablet finally has a release date. Surface with Windows 8 Pro comes to market February 9. It comes packed with Intel’s Core i5 processor and it supports apps available in the Windows Store as well as legacy programs that run on Windows 7 and other previous OS’. More Pro advantages: this slate sports a 1920 x 1080 full HD display, 4GB of RAM, a fast USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort, and a pen with Palm Block technology. The Pro starts at $899 for the 64GB model; alongside it is a 128GB model that will sell for $999. Unlike the RT version, the Pro doesn’t come bundled with a keyboard cover. The Touch Cover and Type Cover sell separately for $119.99 and $129.99, respectively.

In addition to fully fleshing out the Pro’s future release, Microsoft announced a new pricing option for the Surface for Windows RT. This is the 64GB model but it ditches the keyboard cover to sell for $599. It joins the standalone 32GB model ($499), the 32GB model with Black Touch Cover ($599), and 64GB model with Black Touch Cover ($699).

And there’s more. Microsoft is adding more to its Surface accessory lineup. Three new limited edition Touch Covers featuring funky designs in red, magenta, and cyan are coming soon; they’re priced at $129.99. Also on deck is a wireless Wedge mouse whose design is inspired by the modern look of the Surface; it’s priced at $69.95.

Take a look at the Surface with Windows 8 Pro, along with the new accessories, in the gallery below.

[Via Microsoft]

Google TV ready for primetime (part 1): Logitech Revue

Today Logitech held a press event to unveil the Logitech Revue with Google TV companion box.  But before I go into the specifics of the box, allow me to refresh your memory concerning what Google TV is exactly.  Back in May Google held its annual Google I/O developer conference; it was here where they detailed Google TV.  In essence, Google TV is software that integrates TV and the web on one screen.  GTV’s most prominent feature is search.  Typical situation: You’re hanging in the living room and want to watch an episode of Top Gear but you have no idea when and where it airs.  Simply tap the search button on a compatable keyboard (more on the hardware later) and type “Top Gear” into the search bar.  Within seconds GTV will provide you with all kinds of relevant information about the show.  In addition to letting you know at what time and what channel it airs on, you will be provided with the show’s web page and YouTube videos.  That’s right–GTV searches live television, your service provider’s guide listing, and the world wide web.  But it does more than this.  GTV comes installed with the Chrome web browser giving you access to virtually every website on your HDTV.  And yes, the browser supports Adobe Flash Player 10.1.  With the DualView function, you can enable picture-in-picture only this time that means you can browse the web and watch TV simultaneously.  Typical situation: You’re watching a baseball game and want to check on your fantasty team and player stats.  DualView is your friend here.

Watching TV and searching the web for TV-related content (or just for fun) is only the beginning.  GTV also supports apps.  Though the Android Marketplace won’t be ready for the service until 2011, GTV will come preloaded with a bunch of useful apps.  Twitter, Pandora, Napster, VEVO, blip.tv, The New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, NBA GameTime, Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, HBO GO.  Google is reportedly in talks to bring Hulu Plus to the service as well.  Google provides YouTube and a media gallery to browse your photos and video.  In addition to app and developer support, TV networks have agreed to optimize their web portals for viewing on GTV.  For example, Turner Broadcasting has been hard at work tweaking GTV optimized sites for TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim.  No doubt more networks will follow suit.

So I think you get it by now.  Google TV brings TV and the web together in one space–your HDTV.  Cross-platform search, web browsing, and apps.  Now you must be thinking how can I get Google TV on my television?  Here’s where today’s news enters the picture.

Logitech Revue is a companion box that hooks up to your HDTV, cable/satellite box, and the Internet to bring the Google TV experience to you.  Want hardware specs?  You got it.  HDMI In, HDMI out, audio optical output (S/PDIF), Ethernet port,  802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, 2 USB 2.0 ports, integrated Logitech Harmony Link IR blaster, and Logitech Unifying wireless technology.  Setup is simple really.  Connect the bundled HDMI cable to the Revue box and your HDTV, bridge together the Revue box with your cable/satellite box with another HDMI cable, and hook up the Revue box to the Internet (either direct to Ethernet or to your wireless home network).  That’s it.  And how do you interact with the GTV interface?  With the included Logitech Keyboard Controller of course!  The full QWERTY keyboard resembles a standard PC keyboard but also comes equipped with a touchpad, D-pad, dedicated search and DualView buttons, and remote control buttons.  It speaks to the Revue box (which in turn talks to the rest of your TV setup) using Logitech’s proprietary wireless technology.  Logitech Revue with the Keyboard Controller will sell for $299.99 when it releases at the end of the month. Continue reading Google TV ready for primetime (part 1): Logitech Revue