Microsoft confirmed a big announcement last week which will take place later today (11:30pm BST) and Gadget Helpline speculated on what many believed to be the reveal of the rumoured own-branded Windows 8 tablet (our article can be read again after the image below).
However, now the general speculation has turned towards Microsoft’s investment in book retailer and Nook Android-based e-reader maker Barnes & Noble, with some suggesting that the partnership will use the event this evening to reveal a new tablet, akin to the Kindle Fire, which could potentially stream Xbox 360 entertainment services and content. We eagerly await the news..
[Original Post Jun 15, 2012]:
Microsoft has promised big news next Monday (18th of June) with an “announcement” but is reluctant to indulge us anymore than that. Of course, alarm bells are ringing that this could be something to do with the operating system refresh Windows 8, which is soon arriving on desktop personal computers, laptops and tablets.
It’s been over a year since outgoing and highly-criticised Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer promised Windows 8 on ARM processor based “slates”, and the platform is said to have been in progress since before the launch of Windows 7. A number of development kits have been released with pre-beta-betas coming out periodically, with a consumer preview made available last month.
The announcement at 3.30pm L.A time on Monday – a late one at 11.30pm for us in Blighty – is believed to officially show off the new Windows 8 software in action on one of its earliest tablet hosts, possibly a “homemade” first of its kind Microsoft tablet – however, the OS itself is not touted to arrive in 3 full consumer-ready versions until around October time. Is it too soon to be showing off gadgets we won’t get to grips with until the autumn?
Gadget Helpline will be tuning in to bring you the coverage from whatever this much speculated announcement might be – and you can read all the breaking news right here on the blog!
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.