Microsoft announces Surface Pro tablets!
Microsoft's Surface RT have received a relatively lukewarm reception from customers, but Microsoft has something which power users might find more enticing. From January 2013, Microsoft will offer up their Surface Pro tablets which have relatively hefty price tags with them starting at $899 for the 64GB version and $999 for the 128GB variant.
These tablets will be “standalone” versions, meaning you’ll have to splash out a little bit more cash if you're in need of that keyboard attachment. But, on the plus side you will get a stylus completely free! Obviously this device is very similar to the Surface RT devices and thankfully it keeps the same minimalist styling and the kickstand.
There's one quite important change here though and that's with the screen. This time you'll get a full HD, yep 1920x1080p, screen which spans 10.6-inch display and has a 16:9 aspect ratio. The rest of the specs include an Intel Core i5 processor, instead of the ARM processors in the RT versions, as well as a Mini DisplayPort that can output a 2560×1440 resolution, a USB 3.0 port, and a copy of Windows 8 Pro, which comes with all the normal desktop compatible apps.
Via BBC.
Via BBC.
In other news:
- Some lucky UK residents have had their new Wii U's turning up a day early if they pre-ordered from Amazon!
My Wii U is out for delivery. Getting it a day early! :-)
— Tim (@timmorgan) November 29, 2012
- It's been reported by Digitimes that TSMC has been struggling to meet Apple's demand since Samsung got their orders ended. Apparently Apple’s consumes somewhere in the region of 200 million mobile processors a year. That on it's own isn't necessarily a problem but we assume TSMC also has to fulfil their orders from Nvidia and Qualcomm and it's unlikely they would choose to drop them in favour of Apple. This might go some way to explaining the slight delays we've seen or delivery times on Apple's various outlets.
Via Slashgear.
- According to Android Community Google's Nexus 4 has so proved so popular, or has been hugely under-produced that the current ship times for both the 8 and 16GB models won't arrive at your doorstep until 2013. At the moment the 16GB Nexus 4 says it'll be a 4-5 week wait. But, the 8GB version can go a raise that another few weeks! So an 8GB Nexus 4 will arrive with you at the end of January, in the region of 8-9 weeks time! Is this enough to put you off? Would you head to T-Mobile instead? Get in contact with us on Twitter to let us know!
- Have you ever heard of VLC Player? Well the guys behind it have had to take to KickStarter to get VLC on Windows 8 off the ground. The guys are looking for somewhere in the region of £40,000 or $64,100 to hire some professional freelance designers to rework the user interface for Metro. These are donations because the app will be a free download when it's completed.
Unfortunately this time there will be a few additional issues. Firstly, there won't be a version of VLC for Windows RT available initially, but they have promised support in the future and the other issue is that it's quite likely the app won’t make it in the Windows Store, when it's ready for Windows 8, because the app utilizes banned API's. It seems developing these apps was a step to far for the guys to rely on the standard donations they normally receive. Check out the KickStarter page here if you're feeling ultra-generous!
Via TheVerge.
- The Android 4.2.1 binaries for the Nexus 7, 10 and the Galaxy Nexus have been added to the AOSP. Although, the Nexus 4 has been omitted again for the time being.
Via Engadget.
- In an interview with IGN, Nintendo's President, Satoru Iwata, said that he was "very sorry," for the painfully long set-up process on their new Wii U console and in a perfect world he thinks users should be able to "use all of the functions [of a console] as soon as they open the box."
Via Engadget.
- According Samsung's German Facebook page the Samsung Galaxy S Advance will be getting an update to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and it's scheduled to hit in January! Obviously because this is a Facebook page and they're been slightly unreliable in the past we can't guarantee it, but fingers crossed!
Via SamMobile.
- Angry Birds Star Wars has been updated to include 20 new levels. The update was best describe by Rovio themselves when they launched it:
"It is a dark time for the Rebellion. Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters has established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. Unfortunately the evil Darth Vader discovers their hideout, and the desperate Rebel birds must escape the AT-ATs and Pigtroopers hot on their trail. But the Rebels have an ace up their sleeve with the debut of PRINCESS LEIA!" Via IntoMobile.
And finally, HTC's perpetual phone the HD2 has got another unofficial update to Windows Phone 8! You can see it working in the picture below and the source link here for more information on how to do this to your phone!
