Windows 8 might not be selling like hot-cakes, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a success at least at some level. With the mobile-centric OS, Microsoft hoped to push into tablets in a more meaningful way than ever before. That mission has been accomplished, at least to some degree.

According to the latest IDC stats, Windows say a measly .2 million tablets shipped last year, which for most of that year means Windows 7 devices. Three months into 2013, tablet shipments are up 700% with 1.6 million units. Microsoft also now represents 1.8% of the tablet market thanks to its Surface line, making it the fifth most significant tablet brand if IDC’s numbers are correct.

Sure, these numbers are paltry compared with Apple, Samsung, Asus and other brands – but it is still a foot in the door, and that’s what Microsoft was aiming for. Now they just need to push on with the Surface brand, and with the upcoming Windows Blue. It won’t be an easy road, but the groundwork is perhaps finally there to at least allow Microsoft to compete as a solid third place contender in the mobile world.

So what’s next for Microsoft? While we can’t say for sure, DigiTimes claims to have some insider information. Before we go forward, just remember that DigiTimes has a very mixed reputation when it comes to rumors, so speculation is needed.

The latest gossip ships to indicate that the second generation Surface line is coming in June at Microsoft’s BUILD Conference, which could see not only a new 10-inch model, but also 7 and 8-inch variants.

While this is a rumor, it isn’t terribly far-fetched. We already know that Windows Blue is going to be officially shown off at BUILD, and even a Preview version might be released. We also know that Microsoft has previously talked about the possibility of 7-inch tablets, and that rumors indicate Windows 8.1 Blue will be more tablet friendly.

Smaller Windows tablets and a smaller Surface are coming eventually, it’s just hard to say if June is too early or not. What do you think, would you be interested in a smaller-screen Microsoft Surface tablet if Microsoft can position the device at a price equal to or lesser than the iPad Mini?

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The post With Microsoft Tablets Slowly on the Rise, What’s Next For the Surface Brand? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Microsoft is expected to unveil a major update to Windows 8, version 8.1 (aka Blue), in June at their Build conference. It appears like they have been listening to customer feedback and wants to make things better. According to The Verge, the company has plans to bring back the Start button with 8.1.

Most Windows 8 users wanted the return of the Start button and Start Menu, so they went for tools such as Pokki, which has been downloaded about 1.5 million times. With the arrival of Windows 8.1, the Start button will apparently make a comeback. It will look similar to the Windows flag in the Charm bar.

Don’t get too excited though as this button is not coming with the traditional Start Menu, but it will just allow you access to the Windows 8 Start Screen. So you better make plans for a third-party app if you hold no love for Microsoft’s new Start UI.

This new information follows an earlier hint about a boot to desktop option, which will allow users to boot directly to the traditional desktop in the upcoming OS update. More new features and upgrades are certainly coming and we are digging in to find out what those are. Stay tuned to Mobilemag for updates.

The post Windows 8.1 Bringing Back Start Button appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

We’ve heard rumors more than once about the idea of Microsoft moving beyond the 10+-inch tablet form factor, but nothing official from Microsoft confirming such a move – until now.

Microsoft’s CFO Peter Klein mentioned in a call with investors that they were working with manufacturers to develop “a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows”. He didn’t give any more details than that.

With the smallest Windows tablet currently sizing in at 10.1-inches, that leaves open the 9, 8 or 7-inch tablet market for expansion. Considering that 8-inch tablets are starting to gain momentum, Microsoft might consider starting there, or maybe going a bit bigger, perhaps an 8.5-inch tablet?

Whatever they do, pricing will be key here. Small tablets are competitively priced and regardless of whether Microsoft goes the RT (ARM) or Windows 8 (x86) route, it can’t cost a fortune if they want to do well. The good news is that Intel has confirmed its next-gen chips will allow Windows 8 devices to be priced as low as $200, so perhaps that remark was talking about Intel-powered devices with smaller displays?

Would you be interested in a Windows tablet with a smaller display, as long as the pricing was at the very least under that of the iPad Mini?

Source: Mashable

The post Microsoft Confirms They Are Working on Small-Screen Tablets appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The traditional PC market is continuing to shrink as devices like smartphones and tablets eat into the marketshare. There are certainly some critics who feel that Windows 8 is a big part of that blame, and with that in mind we present today’s newest rumor.

Intel is allegedly preparing to push new Haswell-based convertible notebooks running Android. Think devices like the Asus Transformer Prime, though manufacturers involved supposedly include Asus, Acer, HP, Toshiba and Lenovo.

The rumor further asserts that Lenovo will lead the way with this new Android “notebook” push by introducing an Android-powered variant of the Yoga this May.

So how much would an Intel Android convertible cost? The rumored price point would be sub-$500. At this price, they would be a considerably cheaper alternative to Ultrabooks and Macbooks. These convertibles would also represent a spiritual successor to the netbook, which has since largely faded into obscurity in the last few years.

By providing a device that was small, cheap and good for typing while also fully capable of seperating from the keyboard, Intel and its partners could find a way to bring out the best of netbooks and tablets all in one form.

Such a move from Intel doesn’t sound totally insane, but I would still be more than a little cautious about believing this latest rumor due to its source. Digitimes is known for generating tons of rumors, with a mixed reputation on actually getting them right.

Still, Android would work just fine as a basic notebook alternative. Android has plenty of apps and its productivity offerings such as Office Suite Pro aren’t half bad. What do you think, for a price around $375-$475 would you consider purchasing a convertible Android device as a replacement for a traditional Mac, Windows or Linux laptop?

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The post Rumor: Intel and Partners Working on Android Convertible Push appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Microsoft’s Windows 8 isn’t going the direction in which the company thought it would go, with sales being somewhat limited. This might end once Intel’s “Bay Trail” Atom processor launches later this year, though.

According to CEO Paul Otellini, with the arrival of Bay Trail chips the prices for the Windows 8 tablets as well as touchscreen laptops are “going to be down to as low as $200“. At present, a tablet coming equipped with a dual-core “Clover Trail” Atom processor costs closer to $400-$550.

The upcoming chip, which will feature four redesigned Atom cores, is coming with double the computing performance of Intel’s current tablets, and it will improve on energy efficiency as well, according to the company.

Certainly things won’t be easy for Windows 8 tablets, whether they are super-powered or not, even if it is available with a price tag between $200 and $300 since there are many Android tablets, including the 7-inch Nexus 7, in that price range. And of course Windows 8 has already suffered from negative reviews and a scarcity of apps.

Do you think that the future Windows 8 tablets running Bay Trail are going to do well on the market?

[Source]

The post Cheap Windows 8 Tablets To Take On Android appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

So, you’ve decided to upgrade your computer to Windows 8 and now you’re finding that you really want to have a touchscreen to take advantage of all those gestures. There are plenty of laptops and tablets out there with touchscreens, but what about your desktop? Thankfully, there are touchscreen monitors too and they can be quite reasonably priced.

One such example is the Viewsonic TD2420 24-inch monitor. This LED monitor is fully multi-touch compatible, so you’ll be able to do all of those Windows 8 things that you want to do. Along with the interactive stylus, the TD2420 is said to be great “as a POS device, information kiosk, or in hospital and classroom environments.”

Naturally, the TD2420 has a 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution. In addition to the screen itself, it also comes with a pair of integrated 2W speakers with SRS premium sound. Input options include HDMI, VGA and DVI, and then there’s the VESA mount on the back if you want to put this on the wall.

Regular price is $552.00, but the ViewSonic TD2420 is on sale for $367.40 through Amazon, representing a savings of nearly $200.

The post Save $200 on ViewSonic TD2420 24-Inch Multitouch LED Monitor appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

For those of you running Microsoft’s newest version of Windows OS, Windows 8, listen up because this will surely interest you.  One of the biggest complaints from users of Windows 8 is the fact the new metro and RT Windows apps always run in fullscreen mode and not in the desktop mode.  This makes it difficult for users who have don’t have a touch laptop or tablet.  While Metro does work with non-touch setups even in fullscreen, we are creatures of habit and getting used to Windows 8 has been difficult for some.  Stardock has created a program to allow us to continue our multi-window multi-tasking ways, called ModernMix.

With Stardock’s Windows 8 ModernMix app, you are able to run all those metro apps in desktop mode.  This allows you to resize them, move them around and multi-task with them, rather than being forced to use them exclusively in fullscreen mode.   See the video below for the app in action.  Stardock has been developing this for sometime and has just this week released a beta version for the public, for you to try.  You can get the app directly from the Stardock website for only $4.99, much cheaper than a Windows downgrade.

This is an app that I’m sure will be flying off the virtual shelf, I have already downloaded it myself.  Do you plan to get it?  If you already have it, what do you think?

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When you think of major success in the tablet world, you certainly don’t think of HP in the same breathe. From Windows tablets to their failed WebOS HP TouchPad, HP hasn’t had a lot of luck in the very lucrative mobile market. That’s not stopping them from jumping all in and shifting their attention from the PC industry over to the tablet industry.

The first step in this direction is the modest HP Slate 7, a $169 budget tablet that is catchy enough in the looks department but under the hood? You are probably better off spending a few extra bucks and getting a Nexus 7.

Okay, one tablet does not a directional shift make. So where is the proof that HP is slowly shifting away from the PC? The proof is directly from HP’s CEO Meg Whitman, speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, “We’re shifting resources from PCs to tablets. The market moved very fast to tablets and smartphones, and we’ve got to now manage that transition.”

“And it’s not that HP didn’t try to manage that transition — they did with the acquisition of Palm. But as you know under the previous [management] that took a little detour to nowhere.” Meg also spoke about how quality with their upcoming devices is going to be an important focus area, and ends by stating, “Innovation is not dead at this company. So, what I did is I increased RD spending…we have to get these products that are close to market to market fast,” she said.

Can HP finally find success with mobile devices?

That’s a great question, and one with no easy answer. Let’s take a look at both the company’s Windows and Android efforts and where they stand.

Windows 8 Tablets

In the Windows 8 world, HP’s current offerings are solid enough, but not exactly exciting. Nor or they really particularly innovative or different from the crowd. They have the hardware, but Windows 8 PCs and tablets from Lenovo, Dell, Asus and Microsoft seem to be taking more of the attention at this point.

Of course this could change. If HP truly is cranking up the quality, innovation and overall effort, perhaps we could see more from their next generation Windows 8 offerings?

Android Tablets

Okay, what about Android? When the HP TouchPad firesold for just $99, it did excellent.

Many of these  buyers then turned around loaded up Android once it was properly ported to the hardware. This is probably why HP went after the low-end with the HP Slate 7. The problem was that targeting the low-end WAS an excellent idea back then. In fact, HP’s sales of the TouchPad at discount probably inspired many of the companies selling $250 (and lower) tablets today. Unfortunately, HP waited too long.

The low-end market is crowded and with Google unafraid of selling its Nexus devices at-cost, it is hard to compete here. The HP Slate 7 is a good start, but I just don’t see it gaining major traction. Of course it does have brand recognition and many consumers buying a tablet for the first time will recognize HP even over names like Asus.

What about the mid and high-end? On the mid and high-end, Android has to fight against the iPad and now even Windows 8 devices. This is an equally crowded space. That said, rumors indicate HP is working on an Nvidia Tegra 4 tablet that could have some serious oomph. If they market it right, it could certainly appeal to some.

Conclusion: It’s an uphill battle, that’s for sure.

None of HP’s tablet efforts on the low, high or mid-end (Windows 8, Android or otherwise) seem to have enough hype to sell like hotcakes alone, but is that the only way to find success? Part of HP’s success in the PC world is attributed to the fact that it has a wide range of different devices that reach the low, mid and high end crowd at very competitive pricing.

No one tablet by HP will probably generate the hype or sales to take on the iPad, Kindle Fire or Nexus 7. But combined? That’s probably the strategy that HP is banking on, though its unclear at this point if it will be enough. HP also needs to tread carefully.

HP is currently the best-selling PC manufacturer, and while it is fine to transfer some of their attention to developing the tablet market and away from the PC, they also need to remember their roots and the fact that the PC is their primary source of bread and butter. The world is heading towards mobile devices and HP is wise to head in that direction as well, but it won’t be easy.

What do you think of HP’s tablet efforts? Can they finally find a wider range of success in the tablet world?

The post HP Shifting Resources from PC to Tablets, Can They Finally Find Success? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

When we think of ZTE, some of you will envision the low-cost Android phones of yesteryear, while the rest of us think about the newer flagship show stoppers such as the ZTE Grand S and Grand Memo. At Mobile World Congress, show goers are seeing another side to ZTE: a Window’s 8 tablet side.

The ZTE V98 is the company’s first Windows 8 slate and it looks like they have done a great job. The design is attractive with a nice chrome strip around the edge, and hardware isn’t bad either with 1.8Ghz Intel Atom CPU and 2GB RAM driving the 10.1-inch display. They’ve even made room for 32GB of memory, and SD card reader and even LTE and GSM network support.

Windows Phone Central have managed to get some hands on time with the ZTE V98 tablet which you can see directly below:

What do you think of ZTE’s first attempt at a Windows tablet? Would you ever consider a tablet built by ZTE?

[ Source ]

The post ZTE V98 Window’s 8 Tablet is Pretty Impressive appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

While the Windows 8 app store continues to grow in number, it is still missing several apps that would be considered key to a modern, social-driven app experience. Some of these apps include official Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and Yahoo programs. Luckily there are several decent 3rd party alternatives to help fill the void. Unfortunately there are a few scams as well.

One of these scam apps is called “YouTube Player Deluxe”.

What makes this YouTube client a scam? The price tag: $999.99. The publisher T.O.K. Offers an app that they claim allows you to “watch a stream, share videos and access personal content from YouTube”. Here’s the full list of features in this extremely expensive app:

• Share videos with your friends, family …
• Search on Youtube or watch videos from the “standardfeeds”
• Clear, simple and beautiful design (blue theme)
• Connect with your Youtube Account to get access to your personal content
• Comments, related videos, author-pages…
• Livetile
• No advertising

The big question is whether the price tag is intentional, or merely a mess up. Visiting their publisher page indicates that they app is currently broken and that an update is coming – though the app’s page in Windows Store doesn’t even let you know that it won’t work.

More than likely it is an accident, but it could also be a scam/ploy where they hope people will just click the “buy” button without looking at the price tag or something along those lines.

While it would be nice if Microsoft would weed out apps like this that seem “suspicious”, they aren’t the only company to have ever approved an app with such a high price tag and yet little functional value for the pricing. Not that terribly long ago the “I am Rich” iOS app even saw eight buyers despite having no real purpose, though it was eventually pulled by Apple.

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