Microsoft's Monday mystery announcement: do we dare to dream?

June 15, 2012
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mysterious event in Los Angeles this Monday. So far there haven’t been any leaks but the speculation is that they might actually launch a specific Microsoft line of Windows RT tablets similar to the way Google have the Nexus line of phones. First of all, hats off to Microsoft Marketing for the timing – good job. This is right after Apple released their super-duper line of Macbook Pros and curiosity is now at an all time high to see what Microsoft has to say. There was some speculation that Microsoft might release a line of mini tablets to compete with the Nook and Kindle Fire. I absolutely hope not. That would be a silly waste of time and a waste of marketing. It would also be a distraction at a time when the software company can least afford it. I have to admit, when I wrote my article saying that Microsoft should think outside the box regarding Windows RT , I totally didn’t consider the fact that they could build their own premium device. As long as the premium Microsoft Windows RT tablet satisfied my three crucial requirements for Windows RT:

  • Price
  • Performance
  • Elegance
It would be a master stroke. Priced right (between $299 to $399), such a tablet would be a game changer and potentially provide a level of competition that Apple would have to take seriously. Of course, all this assumes that the major Windows 8 user interface and usability issues got worked out before the Windows 8 launch. Now, here’s the risky side of setting up this “announcement”. If the news that comes out on Monday is not as spectacular as a Windows RT tablet or something equally significant, it will reinforce the message that Microsoft has lost it’s way. It would send a subtle message that the company doesn’t really undertand the nature of true disruptive innovation anymore. If it’s some stupid Xbox announcement or music service announement, then (metaphorically) there will be blood. It’s a high risk move to set the stage this way – let’s hope it’s worth it. What do you think Microsoft will say this Monday?]]>

Article Categories:
Microsoft · Windows RT

Mike Johnson is a writer for The Redmond Cloud - the most comprehensive source of news and information about Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft Cloud. He enjoys writing about Azure Security, IOT and the Blockchain.

All Comments

  • i think they are reintroducing win 95. wouldn’t that be great

    gary Prater June 15, 2012 12:38 pm Reply
    • sure!

      Really June 15, 2012 1:06 pm Reply
      • I believe this is the correct answer! 🙂

        James June 15, 2012 2:30 pm Reply
  • I read a couple articles this morning. One says they will announce a Microsoft branded Windows 8 tablet. (I doubt it because that would piss off the OEMs too much.) The other said it’s to announce an Xbox tablet.
    I think Microsoft will announce that they’re buying Nokia, and that Nokia will produce a Microsoft branded eBook reader to compete with the Nook and Kindle.

    CompUser June 15, 2012 1:05 pm Reply
  • Nokia is about to fold and Microsoft is going to bail them out.  With bail out, MS will produce new smart phone/ 7″ tablet/ereader/camera using Metro interface. 

    John E Reese June 15, 2012 1:41 pm Reply
  • Who cares!!!! When it comes down to it, the tag lines should read Microsoft vs the World!!!!

    darkpr0fit June 15, 2012 1:42 pm Reply
  • I think its about WP 8 😉

    Penta2100 June 15, 2012 2:33 pm Reply
    • WP8 is to have its own thing later in the week already scheduled, so not likely.  Seems kind of dumb to preemt itself.

      Rex June 15, 2012 8:15 pm Reply
  • a windows based tablet would rock. for those of us in the M$ tech field let us port it straight to other computers remote/ cloud sign me up

    Bob E Bray June 15, 2012 7:29 pm Reply
  • This is an interesting development.  I am dying to know what it is.  I think MS needs to be careful not to make something its OEMs make as well.  Beyond that however, making phones and/or tablets make sense in a bizarre way.  The obvious choice to do this would be to buy Nokia.  Nokia right now is a steal.  Stock price of the company is lower than asset value.  However, specific press have been invited who cover tablets specifically.  The press person that I saw talking about it was not in the slightest interested.  How foolish I thought.  How can someone reporting news not be intersted in new develpements.
    This goes to my overall impression of MS in general.  They are not an inspiring brand.  They need to find a way to reguvinate their brand name.  Bill Gates was able to go from an evil stingy emperor to a world class philanthopist.  MS needs to spend as much time thinking on how they can get away from the stiff all business image while still keeping their professional image.  Sounds kind of schizophrenic, but I think the right kind of marketing would work.

    Rex June 15, 2012 8:33 pm Reply
  • Lets hope they are going to say sorry for the way they have acted, and want to announce that Windows8 has been stripped of the Metro mayhem, and a new MetorDOS has been built for the tablet arena.

    Michael June 15, 2012 8:37 pm Reply
  • You are correct. It came across Bloomberg news channel today (6-16-2012) on the sat. On Tuesday, Microsoft will release a windows RT tablet. So can a release for windows 8 to run on this tablet be far behind? I think not.

    Daniel Gray June 15, 2012 9:17 pm Reply
  • This is Microsoft s way  of getting the word out quickly on its New Products, whether it be the Windows 8 Smartphone, Tablet or even the software packages. Who better to advertise these products but the media and bloggers. By getting them on ‘their’ side they hope to achieve positive reviews of what it has to offer. Pre-realese of the information and demonstrations will give them an incite in ‘how to market’ the products.

    daren lee June 15, 2012 11:33 pm Reply

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