Microsoft’s Surface Tablets

Microsoft surprised us all last week by announcing a surprise mystery product event. Of course this immediately set rumours flying around the media suggesting all sorts of things, from Microsoft announcing their own eReader to announcing their very own tablet device. We ourselves had speculated that a Windows 8 Tablet would be released by Microsoft in 2012 The latter turned out to be true and not only did Microsoft announce their very own “Surface” tablet, but they actually announced two editions. While these tablets took centre stage, the press was also taken a back by the incredible technology packed into accessories for the tablets.

Surface Tablet Specifications
 
1. Windows RT is designed to run on ARM powered devices (more popular on mobile devices) while Windows 8 will run on the traditional x86 processors like what Intel and AMD build.

2.Windows RT tablet is lighter at just 676 grams compared to 903 grams for the Windows 8 Pro tablet. The Windows 8 Pro tablet will feature a Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 processor.

3. Windows 8 Pro model will be Full HD as opposed to HD on the Windows RT model. The Windows 8 Pro model will also carry a slightly larger battery than the Windows RT model due to the increased power required by the processor and display and include MicroSD, MicroSDXC, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Micro HD Port. Both devices will come with two cameras, one on the front and one on the back.

Microsoft revamps SkyDrive;Should Dropbox be scared?

As a measure to cope up with the increasing competition in the cloud storage segment, Microsoft has brought some remarkable modifications to SkyDrive.com, the browser based interface of its online cloud storage service Sky Drive.

The cloud storage service has evolved from the preview stage and has been turned into a fully functional service. The most visible change is made in the user interface which organizes the files and documents and presents them in a tile-based fashion similar to that of a Windows Phone and Windows 8. Apart from the modifications with visual elements, Microsoft has also incorporated a whole lot of new features like instant search, a contextual toolbar and multiple select and drag and dropping options.

Sky Drive app for Android will reach the customer base in the next few weeks and will have features similar to that of the Sky Drive apps available on iOS and Windows Phone. Apart from browsing, uploading and sharing of files, users will also be able to open Sky Drive files from other apps, and upload and save files from other apps to Sky Drive.

Developers who are looking out for ways to integrate Sky Drive into their apps will also reap benefits from the revamp of the service. Sky Drive is slowly transforming itself into a beneficial cloud service; however it remains to be seen if it manages to make its mark in the segment ruled by Dropbox.