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At $929 with keyboard, the Surface Pro 3 better be a laptop replacement

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop,

On the point that Microsoft tried to hammer home during today's Surface Pro 3 event, that it could replace your laptop:

At $929 with a keyboard it darn well better. At that price you get 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage and an i3 processor. The $899 11-inch MacBook Air is a 4 GB / 128 GB / i5 configuration. The Surface 3 has a better screen, but Apple’s base offering is faster, has more storage and is $30 cheaper.

As usual, great point made by John Moltz.

Gallery: At $929 with keyboard, the Surface Pro 3 better be a laptop replacement

Microsoft Surface Pro 3: 12” display, $799, hopes to replace your laptop

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Handhelds, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,

Microsoft has officially the new Surface Pro 3 during a press event in New York City this morning, just under 7 months after releasing the Surface Pro 2. While the Surface Pro 3 may look similar at first glance, what with the kickstand and all, Surface chief Panos Panay went out of his way to make the point that this device is all about solving the problem of deciding between a laptop and a tablet. The Surface Pro 3, after all, can replace your laptop, claimed Panay.

So what makes the new model so impressive? Let's take a look at a rundown of features. First, Microsoft has increased the display size to 12-inches at a 3:2 aspect ratio and 2,160 x 1,440 resolution. That is the largest Surface display yet, with the highest density to boot. Despite being larger, it's also lighter than the Surface Pro 2 as well, weighing in at 800 grams. Panay made the point by comparing the weight of the Surface Pro 3 against the 11-inch MacBook Air, which has a smaller display without as high a screen resolution.

Click to continue reading Microsoft Surface Pro 3: 12” display, $799, hopes to replace your laptop

Gallery: Microsoft Surface Pro 3: 12” display, $799, hopes to replace your laptop

Microsoft slashes price of Xbox One to $399 without Kinect

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

Microsoft surprised the gaming world this morning with the announcement it will sell the Xbox One without Kinect for $399 starting on June 9th in the U.S. This brings the price of the Xbox 360 in line with that of the PlayStation 4, which should bring the two consoles into even more heated competition.

An odd move (though some might say it was expected in order to compete,) since the company wouldn't stop talking about how essential Kinect is to the Xbox One functionality and gaming direction less than a year ago. I guess Microsoft has been feeling the heat if the PlayStation 4 sales, and had to adjust that strategy right quick.

You can pre-order the Xbox One without Kinect now.

Gallery: Microsoft slashes price of Xbox One to $399 without Kinect

Microsoft files its own smart watch patent

Posted by Ariel Levin-Waldman Categories: Wearables, Corporate News, Microsoft,

Microsoft smartwatch patent

With the smartphone being a huge success, companies like Samsung and Sony got the idea to make it smaller and wrist mounted, creating the Galaxy Gear and Sony Smartwatch lines respectively. Now Microsoft has decided to muscle into the game, registering its patents with the U.S. Government this week.

The application filed with the patent office describes the wearable as a music player, phone, message device, and fitness measuring device. The watchface would be detachable from the wristband so that it can be connected to a charging port.

The features described are still speculation, and no date has been stated for release. Microsoft is up against competition from Samsung, who released their product last year, Motorola, which plans to release the Moto 360 in July, and Pebble, which has already sold over 400,000 units.

Gallery: Microsoft files its own smart watch patent

WWE Network now available on Xbox One

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,

WWE Network on Xbox One

The WWE Network app is now available for download on the Xbox One console, completing its availability on all announced video game platforms. Prior to today, the WWE Network was available on the Playstation 3, Playstation 4, and Xbox 360, with the Xbox One launch scheduled to come later "this summer." Obviously, the app was completed here in early spring, and made its way to the Xbox Live Marketplace without so much as an announcement from WWE or Microsoft.

We played with the app for a few minutes, and found it to be much easier to navigate than the other game console offerings. In fact, we'd place the Xbox One version just behind that of the Apple TV when it comes to connected devices. Having already used the WWE Network on the Xbox 360, after downloading it to the Xbox One, I was able to navigate around and watch content without having to log in again, thanks to my credentials syncing over Microsoft's cloud.

Streaming quality looks great, with no initial lag or stutter. You can download the WWE Network app now.

Gallery: WWE Network now available on Xbox One

Microsoft Office for iPad now available, requires Office 365 for editing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Microsoft, Software,

Microsoft Office for iPad

New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has announced the availability of Office for iPad, making it his very first public announcement since taking the helm of the tech company. Microsoft Office for iPad was not only announced today, but it's available for download today from the Apple App Store as well.

Office for iPad is comprised of three free apps: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You can use each app to view and present their respective Office documents, but if you also want to be able to create and edit documents, an Office 365 subscription is required. Through the power of OneDrive, changes made to documents in one place (like the iPad app) will sync over to your other environments (like your Windows laptop.) Here are the download links:

We'll have a full Office for iPad review shortly to let you know our thoughts!

Gallery: Microsoft Office for iPad now available, requires Office 365 for editing

Microsoft Surface 2 with AT&T 4G LTE available tomorrow

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,

Microsoft has announced that it'll finally release the Surface 2 with LTE built in with 64GB storage capacity. Interested buyers will be able to pick up the updated model starting tomorrow from Microsoft Stores, Best Buy, and AT&T Wireless locations.

With the exception of the added LTE support, don't expect other changes in the Surface 2 hardware. You'll find a new SIM card slot located by the volume rocker, but that's it. Users will be able to use the LTE function as a mobile hotspot for their other devices as well. A year of free Skype calls to landline numbers and 200GB of OneDrive cloud storage is also thrown in.

You can order the Surface 2 with LTE here.

Gallery: Microsoft Surface 2 with AT&T 4G LTE available tomorrow

Xbox One Titanfall edition now available for pre-order

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

The Xbox One Titanfall edition bundle is set to launch on March 11th, and if you were able to play that Titanfall beta action, you know just how amazing this game is gonna be. If you don't already own an Xbox One (or if you're looking to pick up another,) this is a great deal. You get the Xbox One console and everything else you'd get in the standard box, plus a free downloadable copy of Titanfall, and a free month of Xbox Live.

Microsoft has confirmed that stock of this bundle will be limited, so you may want to pre-order this edition rather than waiting to try and find it in a store. You can pre-order from the Microsoft Store now for $499 (you can also pre-order from Amazon.)

Gallery: Xbox One Titanfall edition now available for pre-order

Xbox One Media Remote coming early March for $25

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Peripherals, Video Games,

Xbox One Media Remote

Microsoft has been trying to push the idea that the Xbox One is your all-in-one media device, so it's curious to see that it's taken them four months to release a remote control for the console. However, the Xbox One Media Remote is finally almost here, ready to launch in early March:

Releasing across Xbox One markets worldwide in early March, the Xbox One Media Remote lets you control video playback for Blu-ray movies and streaming video on Xbox One. Additionally, there are dedicated Back and OneGuide buttons. The OneGuide button provides one-touch, quick access to your favorite TV shows and movies through the Xbox program guide. This remote is designed to help you listen, watch and switch among experiences instantly – allowing you to rule your entertainment. The Media Remote can also control TV/Receiver power and volume through Kinect, which uses IR blasting to send signals to your TV and/or receiver.

You'll be able to control your television and receiver power and volume as well as the Xbox One, which is nice. The Media Remote also has an integrated motion sensor, so when you pick it up, the backlit buttons will illuminate, making it simple to use in the dark. The Xbox One Media Remote will sell for $24.99 when it launches in a few weeks.

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