Last week, Microsoft held a special event to announce their new line of Surface PCs. The Surface PCs are Microsoft-made hardware in tablet form.
There will be two models of the Surface, “one running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro,” according to the press release. Microsoft also includes the system specs for each model as follows. The Window RT model will come with a microSD slot, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae and either 32GB or 64GB storage space. The Windows 8 Pro model will come with microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae and 64GB or 128GB storage space.
Among additional features listed for the Surface include a special casing called VaporMg; an integrated kickstand and a touch cover and a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio for viewing HD content.
In the press release, Microsoft notes also that the hardware will “be available starting with release of Windows 8 and Windows RT.”
Learn more about the Surface at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx. Read Microsoft’s Surface press release at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2012/jun12/06-18announce.aspx.
Net buzzz
- A Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed to ZDNet that they “will begin to phase out the shipment of PCs with Office Starter 2010.” The spokesperson continued by stating that “most new PCs shipped will not have Office Starter.” According to the spokesperson, current users of the Office Starter 2010 won’t be affected unless they decide to upgrade to the new Windows 8 operating system. An update has been released for users of Office Starter 2010 who wish to upgrade once the new OS is released.
Read more at http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-begins-phasing-out-starter-edition-of-its-office-suite/13001.
- Motorola has announced in a blog post that some DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola will be getting an upgrade to the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware. According to the post, “it makes your DROID RAZR or DROID RAZR MAXX global ready!”
Read more at http://www.motorola.com/blog/2012/06/22/update-android-4-0-ics-news-for-droid-razr-and-droid-razr-maxx-owners/. Learn more about the new features of the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware at http://www.motorola.com/us/consumers/Android-4.0-Ice-Cream-Sandwich/119251,en_US,pd.html.
Cheap software
- Parallels is offering Parallels Workstation 6, their virtualization software for PCs, for only $9.99 for a limited time. This software will enable users to run various operating systems for testing, evaluating and more.
Learn more about this offer at http://www.parallels.com/exclusive-offer.
- Microsoft is offering Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 for only $9.95. This offer is available to “qualifying employees of Microsoft volume licensing customers participating in the Microsoft Home Use Program, “ according to the site.
One software license per employee. The licenses are non-transferable and voided if employment with the company ends.
Learn all details at http://www.microsofthup.com/hupus/home.aspx?culture=en-US.
Cool iOS apps
Amazon’s Cloud Player is now available for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 4.3 or newer. This app will enable users to access their music collection to either download or stream their library via the cloud or play music on their devices.
Learn more at http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000776061 and http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-cloud-player/id510855668?mt=8.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
