Articles about Surface
What's that, Microsoft? Yep, a Lumia and Surface SALES BOOM
Microsoft shipped a record number of Lumia smartphones in the final quarter of calendar year 2014, as Surface revenue finally started to make an impression.
Microsoft reported that 10.5 million Lumias shipped, the most in a quarter, on the strength of low-cost devices. However, to put that in perspective, Samsung sold over 78 …
Microsoft: OK, we'll TRY indirect sales for Surface Pro 3 in Japan
Microsoft is testing a reseller programme for the Surface Pro 3.
Speaking at the Canalys Channels Forum Asia, the worldwide veep of Microsoft's small and medium business organisation, Thomas Hansen, said a “limited” trial is under way in Hong Kong and Japan.
“We are in the process right now of piloting some expanded channel …
Microsoft loves Surface pen maker N-trig so much it bought it – report
Microsoft has reportedly gobbled up N-trig, makers of digital pen technology for PCs and tablets, for an undisclosed sum.
The sale of the Kfar Saba, Israel–based firm was reported by the Israeli business daily Globes, citing sources who valued the deal at around $200m.
N-trig makes the pen tech for Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 …
RIP Windows RT: Microsoft murders ARM Surface, Nokia tablets
Microsoft has quietly pulled the plug on the last device to ship running Windows RT, casting doubt on the future of Redmond's ARM fondleslab OS.
The software giant confirmed on Wednesday to The Register that it has stopped manufacturing the Nokia Lumia 2520, a 10.1-inch Windows RT tablet with a quad-core ARM processor, an HD …
Microsoft confirms Surface NOT DEAD YET, next-gen version coming
Microsoft says it's still committed to its Surface tablets despite disappointing sales, and that it will keep pushing the kit through at least one more generation of the hardware.
The software giant wasted no time in responding to a report by Taiwanese business rag DigiTimes that claimed Microsoft was "not very aggressive about …
Surface Mini fondleslab farewelled
Rumours are emerging in Asia that Microsoft has decided not to enter the phablet market and has canned its rumoured Surface Mini.
According to Taiwanese outlet Digitimes, manufacturers' reps say Redmond has followed up its decision in May to delay the never-actually-announced device by cancelling build orders.
Digitimes' …
Microsoft's TV product placement horror: CNN mistakes Surface tabs for iPAD STANDS
Last month Microsoft announced a partnership with CNN for its mid-term election night coverage, with Redmond providing tech for the news anchors to use.
Unfortunately, the anchors used their shiny Surface tablet to prop up or hide their Apple iPads.
CNN commentators using Microsoft @surface tablets as iPad stand. Facepalm. pic …
Philae healthier... beams CHEESE: Proud ESA shows off FIRST COMET SURFACE PIC
The ESA’s historic comet-landing probot Philae has re-established contact with mission control and is currently stable on the surface.
El Reg's space vulture Brid-Aine Parnell reports from mission command at the ESA ops complex at Darmstadt, Germany.
Philae takes a first look at the surface of Comet 67P BEHOLD! The first …
Microsoft confirms secret Surface will never see the light of day
Speculation that Microsoft contemplated a “mini” version of its Surface fondleslabs, but decided not to let it see the light of day, has been confirmed in Redmond's 8-K form lodged with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The filing includes a section on “Computing and Gaming Hardware” that says “Current year cost …
Microsoft hints at smaller Surface
Microsoft has invited media to a “small gathering” at which it will discuss its Surface fondleslabs.
The event will take place on May 20th and the use of the diminutive is sparking speculation Redmond will give the world a smaller Surface.
The speculation relies on past comments from Microsoft to the effect that it feels …
Dark side of the DUNE: Probot snaps shadowy comet surface selfie
Panoramic pic
The fate of the ESA's Philae comet lander may be adding grey to boffins' hair, but the craft is still functioning – and has sent back its first panoramic selfie from Comet 67P's surface.
Philae panorama
Light! I need light! Click to enlarge
Thanks to the space rock's low gravity, the probe bounced at least a kilometre over …
Microsoft Australia slashes price of Surface Pro 128GB by $AUD400
Walk into JB HiFi, Australia's most prominent purveyor of consumer electronics, and slap down $AUD597. You'll walk out with this HP 15-d004au and its 15.6-in screen, quad-core AMD A6-5200 running at 2 GHz and packing a Radeon HD 8400 graphics card, 2GB of RAM and a 500GB disk.
Take just two dollars more to Microsoft Australia's …
Microsoft's battery-boosting Surface slab cover to ship soon
Six months after launching the second generation of its Surface tablets, Microsoft says it is finally ready to begin shipping an accessory that it says can extend the battery life of the fondleslabs by as much as 70 per cent.
The Surface Power Cover was announced during the Surface 2 launch but wasn't immediately available for …
Microsoft slaps LTE mobe broadband into Surface 2 slabs (Yeah, take that, iPad)
From Tuesday, Microsoft will sell a version of its Surface 2 capable of connecting to mobile broadband – fulfilling a request of many a user who has been tempted to pick up one of Redmond's tablet-keyboard mashups.
Microsoft Surface 2 (AT&T 4G LTE) Microsoft's ARM-powered Surface 2 (AT&T 4G LTE), pictured with its wireless- …
Clock ticking for Surface 3 as Microsoft preps for globo-launch
Given the losses Microsoft has racked up with the Surface "design point", the firm could be forgiven for drawing a line under the project rather than sending the third generation product to Britain.
In a blog post, Microsoft this week confirmed the Pro 3 model will hit the streets in 25 countries including the UK on 28 August - …
DISPLAY DESTRUCTION D'OH! Teardown cracks Surface Pro 3 screen
Microsoft has pitched its Surface Pro 3 as a "tablet that can replace your laptop." That is unless, it seems, you want to repair or upgrade your laptop.
Teardown specialists iFixit have posted their initial dissection of the latest Redmond tablet, and they've concluded that the surface on the Surface is poor for service.
The …
Second-gen Surface and Surface Pro rumored to be minor upgrades
More details have begun to trickle out regarding Microsoft's second-generation Surface fondleslabs, which are expected to ship in the fall.
On Wednesday, Neowin reported that new versions of both the Intel-based Surface Pro and the ARM-based Surface running Windows RT were in the works.
Windows-watcher Paul Thurrot later …
Microsoft hopes for FONDLESLAB FRENZY as Surface Pro 3 debuts
As expected, Microsoft has started sales of its latest iteration of its Surface Pro, hoping that it'll be third-time's a charm for Redmond's attempts to seduce fondleslab buyers into the joys of Windows 8.
"I'm pretty pumped today, because Surface Pro 3 – the tablet that can replace your laptop – is now on sale at retail stores …
Best Buy: Bring us your cowering, unwanted Microsoft Surface masses
US retail giant Best Buy is taking back unwanted Microsoft Surface tablets under a trade-in programme.
The company that helped launch Surface RT one year ago has added Surfaces to a list of other consumer computing devices you can now trade in.
Best Buy is offering between $79 and $350 to buy back your unwanted first-edition …
Surface Pro 2 dim screen of death snafu STILL happening after patch
A December update for the Intel-based Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablets has been pulled as it was making things worse.
It was supposed to fix a problem which resulted in the screen dimming to such an extent it was unreadable, but led to greater issues.
The withdrawal of the patch was, however, too late for some users who …
ESA: Venus probe doomed to fiery death on weird planet's surface
The European Space Agency has administered the last rites to its Venus Express probe, saying that the spacecraft is now out of control and has gone "gently into the night."
"The available information provides evidence of the spacecraft losing attitude control most likely due to thrust problems during the raising maneuvers," said …
Microsoft: Surface is DEAD. Long live the Surface 2!
Undeterred by its critics, Microsoft has torn the wraps off Surface 2: its upgraded Windows 8-powered tablets, now with faster processors, better graphics, a load of new accessories, and not one but two kickstand positions.
Surface Pro 2 with docking station The Surface Pro 2 with its new docking station
Redmond has already …
Microsoft yanks Surface 2 DIM SCREEN of DEATH fix in update snafu
A software update supposed to stop Surface slabs overheating has been yanked by Microsoft – because it’s making matters worse.
Microsoft is pulling a December 10 firmware update for Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 and won’t re-issue another one for the over-heating issue until after Christmas.
Users who’d installed the patch had …
Partner firms: Microsoft kept Surface from you for YOUR OWN GOOD
Those caring souls at Microsoft initially cut the technology channel out of the Surface supply chain because execs wanted to finetune forecasting and spare sales partners from a potential inventory pile-up.
Or so says Phil Sorgen, global partner veep, who reckons the path Microsoft took was "safer" for its legion of suppliers, …
What do you mean there are no Surface Pros? HAND 'EM OVER, yell Microsoft resellers
Microsoft has yet to correctly forecast production of Surface Pro machines to match demand with supply, and shortages could continue into the summer.
Or so say channel partners working under the authorised device reseller programme, which want Microsoft to recruit more hardware experts to iron out creases that continue to exist …
LIVE CHAT: You, El Reg, experts chat about Win 8.1 and Surface 2
By the end of next Tuesday – 22 October – Microsoft will have played all of its Christmas cards.
Two new Surface slabs will have officially launched and Windows 8.1 will be working its way through shops, PC makers and download servers.
Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will bring new chips and graphics processors to make things …
Hello! Still here! Surface 2! Way better than iPad! says slightly desperate Microsoft
Microsoft has attempted to revive the fortunes of its ailing fondleslab Surface 2 with a comparative ad campaign that pits the blue tablet against the latest iPad.
In a pair of YouTube polemics, Redmond tells the world exactly what the iPad doesn't have: a kickstand, hands-free gestures and a way of monitoring your kids' online …
'Graceful' solar flare erupts from surface of Sun – NASA vid
Video
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has released a video of a "graceful" solar flare erupting out of the Sun's surface on 2 April.
Youtube Video
The flare shows up on the Sun as sudden swirls of brightness, indicating the bursts of radiation in an M6.5 class eruption.
"“The image shows the flare in a blend of two wavelengths of …
Microsoft Surface 3 Pro: Flip me over, fondle me up
The touchscreen Surface Pro 3, unveiled on Tuesday, is Microsoft's latest attempt to bridge the gap between laptops and tablets.
Panos Panay claims Surface Pro 3 is one device to rule them all Panos Panay claims Surface Pro 3 is one device to rule them all
"It starts with dreaming the impossible," gushed Microsoft CEO Satya …
END your Macbook SHAME: Convert it into a Microsoft SURFACE
So you've spent well over a grand on a new Macbook Pro. How do you fancy spending even more than that amount, all over again, to mod your laptop so it resembles a, er, Microsoft Surface?
Judging by the the cult-like Apple worship practised by covens of fanbois and gurlz, we'd reckon that few people would take up the offer of …
Microsoft advertises Surface, Excel with maths mistake
Microsoft's Surface tablets have again embarrassed the company's bottom line, this time after failing to calculate a simple one accurately.
The problem was spotted by folks at Apple Insider who noticed a San Francisco billboard advertising Redmond's latest tablet. When they peered at it closely in the image below, they noticed …
Microsoft pulls Win 8.1 RT code which upgraded Surface 'slabs into BRICKS
Microsoft has quickly backpedalled on its Windows 8.1 update, pulling it from the Windows Store after reports that it was bricking Surface tablets.
In this post at its Answers site, Microsoft explained the withdrawal of the update:
“Windows RT 8.1. Microsoft is investigating a situation affecting a limited number of users …
Microsoft to unveil new Surface slabs at September 23 event
Microsoft will launch the second generation of its Surface fondleslabs at an invitation-only event to be held in New York City on September 23.
The company teased the event with invites emailed to media on Monday that gave few details, other than making very plain that Surface will be in the limelight. Even the invitation's text …
Microsoft Surface Pro sales CANNIBALIZING Surface RT
The bad news just keeps coming for Microsoft's vaunted line of Surface fondleslabs, with sources reporting that sales of the devices continue to disappoint.
Redmond has sold just around 1.5 million of the devices to date, Bloomberg reports, citing sources who claim knowledge of the company's sales figures.
That's a little more …
Happy 2nd birthday, Windows 8 and Surface: Anatomy of a disaster
Analysis
This weekend marks two years since Windows 8 and Surface were launched at a press event at Pier 57 on the Hudson River in New York.
The invitation for the Windows 8 launch in October 2012
“It is today that with great pride we unveil this new generation of Windows. Starting at 4.01am worldwide, the next era of Windows …
Microsoft cuts Surface Pro price by $100
Hot on the heels of last week's revelation that Surface sales are utterly terrible, Microsoft has again cut the price of its Surface tablets.
This time it's the Pro version that gets the discount, with $100 (US) removed from its price as of 4 August.
One small ray of sunshine is that the price cut may not be permanent. The page …
Microsoft exec selling his Surface tablet
Just when you thought enthusiasm for Windows 8 and the Surface tablet could not possibly get any more tepid, a Microsoft New Zealand employee intends to sell one of the devices.
Kiwi tech news site spotted Techday spotted a Tweet from Nigel Parker, leader of Microsoft New Zealand's Developer & Platform Group at Microsoft New …
The British are coming! The British are coming! And they're buying Surface fondleslabs
In a small corner of the IT industry, Microsoft is toasting a success of sorts: its relatively unloved Surface tablet is gaining customers and has unseated Google's Nexus slabs in the popularity stakes in the UK.
Shipments of all fondleslabs into retailers and distributors in Blighty swelled 20.4 per cent, year on year, to 2.15 …
Now swallow: Microsoft hands out cure for Surface RT tabs killed by Win 8.1
Microsoft has quietly released a recovery image for Surface RT tablets rendered unusable by bugs in last week's upgrade to Windows RT 8.1.
The image can be downloaded here, along with a short instruction sheet explaining how to create a bootable recovery drive using any PC running Windows 7 or later and any USB drive larger than …
Microsoft: We're nearly OUT OF STOCK of Surface 2 and Pro 2
Microsoft says it is nearly out of stock of its forthcoming Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 fondleslabs, though what that means in terms of actual sales figures is anybody's guess.
Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are close to selling out. All those buyers are gonna need apps. Your move: http://t.co/YGWmjklfuB
— Microsoft Developer (@ …
Storm slings water to Saturn's surface
Water has been spotted on Saturn for the first time.
Astroboffins believe that gas giants comprise layers of different substances, including water, but lacked substantial evidence to support that theory.
A colossal storm that hit Saturn's northern hemisphere back in 2010 has helped them out, because the Cassini probe was close …
Microsoft store staff to hold all night vigil for Surface 2
Microsoft is planning a midnight launch for its next-generation Surface fondleslabs, to be capped by a performance by rapper Pitbull.
Reg readers may recall that Redmond pulled a similar stunt when it launched the Surface RT last October, holding witching-hour events at the 32 pop-up stores it opened for the holiday season. …
Surface Pro 2: It's TOOL-PROOF and ultimately destined for LANDFILL
Teardown
We knew that Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 tablets wouldn't stray too far from the original Surface Pro design - but according to the tool-and-part masters at iFixit, the new tablets are virtually identical to the old ones – meaning they're just as difficult to repair.
Surface Pro 2 with docking station The Surface Pro 2 looks a …
Microsoft wields turkey knife, slices Surface to $199 for Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving has come to be known as Black Friday, a day on which all manner of brands drop their pants prices in order to get US punters to open their wallets.
The practice is now spreading worldwide and there's some tasty offerings around the world.
The most notable discount is probably Microsoft's $US199 offer …
Microsoft Surface 2 fondleslabs finally get off ground with airline order
How many of Microsoft's ARM-powered Surface 2 fondleslabs has it sold so far during the presale period leading up to the tablet's October 22 launch? At least 11,000, as it turns out, because that's how many were snapped up by US passenger carrier Delta Air Lines.
"Delta is rolling out these new tablets to replace the traditional …
Is it an iPad? Is it a MacBook Air? No, it's a Surface Pro 3
Review
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3.0 tablet sees its UK release on 28 August. But why is the Surface fondleslab called Surface?
Microsoft hijacked the name from one of its own existing products, the niche tabletop display now called PixelSense, but a remark by vice president Panos Panay at the October 2012 launch of the first Surface …
Microsoft Surface slabs borked by heat-induced DIM SCREEN OF DEATH
The latest generation of Microsoft Surface tablets are overheating, causing the screens to dim to the point they are unusable - but it's OK, people, Microsoft is onto it and a fix is coming.
Frustrated customers have taken to the Microsoft community forums to complain that the device runs hot when playing games, or while running …
Microsoft: That $900m Surface write-down is smarting
Microsoft will today kick-start commercial channel sales of the little loved Surface RT and Pro, as our sources predicted, but the move is being pushed through ten months later than it should have been.
Redmond has already paid the price for its stubbornness: selling the device direct and latterly through a handful of retailers …
Microsoft Surface sales numbers revealed as SHOCKINGLY HIDEOUS
Microsoft's shares took a beating following its gloomy fiscal 2013 earnings report earlier this month, in which it wrote down nearly a billion dollars on its unloved Surface RT fondleslabs. But the software giant isn't out of the woods yet, because new details have emerged that have the full Surface picture looking even worse …
Surface 2 MYSTERY: Haswell's here, so WHY the duff battery life?
Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 fondleslabs arrive on Tuesday, bringing various improvements over the first-generation models. But one area where the new tablets still don't wow is battery life – and that's a disturbing trend for Windows devices in general, some tinkerers have found.
As hacker Jeff Atwood and AnandTech's Anand Lal …
