Steve Ballmer introduced several tablet based “Slate PCs” at the Microsoft keynote for CES 2010 yesterday and we got a quick look at one earlier today.
The Slate PC is manufactured by Pegatron and has an 11.6″ screen powered by an Intel Atom processor and Windows 7 Home Premium. On board is 1GB RAM, 32GB HDD storage, a HDMI port and a web cam. The device is lightweight and fits into the hands like a book. Although the form factor is interesting and exciting, Windows still has a long way to go until people can easily use such a device. Vendors will likely build interfaces on top of Windows to take advantage of touch.
Tonight CES 2010 was officially kicked off when Steve Ballmer took the stage for Microsoft’s CES 2010 keynote. Even with a 20 minute delay due to a power outage, Steve Ballmer took the stage enthusiastically and had quite a bit to announce. While this year’s announcements are nothing like last year’s announcements, Steve Ballmer had a lot to say.
According to Ballmer, 2009 was a big year for Microsoft. Ballmer announced that Windows 7 was by far the fastest selling operating system in history with PC sales jumped nearly 50% the week Windows 7 launched. Ballmer added that Bing saw major progress by adding 11 million new users. Xbox and Xbox LIVE also set new records in 2008 with over 39 million Xbox 360 consoles around the world, and more than 500 million games have been sold.
Here’s a recap of Ballmer’s announcements:
A new touch-enabled slate PC from HP
New Xbox games coming: Mass Effect 2 (Jan 26), Splinter Cell (February), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 new content packs, Fable III, Crackdown 2, Alan Wake, Halo Reach (Fall of 2010),
HP and Microsoft have teamed to launch Bing as the default search engine and MSN as the default homepage on HP PC’s in 42 countries worldwide.
The HTC HD2 will be available to T-Mobile consumers later this year.
Mediaroom 2.0 is now available, with AT&T U-verse being compatible.
Project Natal will be available by the holiday season 2010, more information coming on that soon.
You can view our on-going live here as well as the full press release of Microsoft’s announcements here.
The New York times claims Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil a slate-type computer tomorrow at the Microsoft CES 2010 keynote.
According to insiders that spoke to The New York times, the device will be manufactured by HP and possibly available by mid-year. In September 2009 Microsoft’s “Courier” booklet device concept was unveiled to the world. It’s possible that the earlier concept has finally made it into production form. Little details have been confirmed for the original Courier concept.
Microsoft has confirmed the existence of Windows Mobile 6.5.3 and possibly its imminent release too in documentation provided for developers.
On Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Developer Center an entry appears detailing Widget development for Windows Mobile. “Beginning with the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 release, touchable tiles replace soft keys” is stated in the first paragraph. Windows Mobile 6.5.3 builds have been leaking left, right and centre over at XDA-Developers for months but Microsoft has kept a tight lip about it’s plans. There were rumours that the software giant may name the next point release, designed to add better touch functionality, Windows Mobile 6.7.
WMexperts notes the timing is suspicious. Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, is due to kick off a CES keynote next Wednesday and we firmly believe the company will detail the point release during CES. Ballmer is also due to hold a joint press conference with LG and Sprint shortly after the keynote where it’s rumored a WiMax smart phone will be unveiled.
Source: Engadget
