The second of perhaps the two most momentous weeks for Microsoft this year brought the new Surface tablets into the hands of buyers. Days after unleashing Windows 8.1, Redmond started shipping its second generation slates. If anything, the week itself was full of action, compared to the recent lulls.
A look at the biggest and boldest stories of the week just ending:
News of the Week
Continuing on with our coverage of bombastic news stories these past few weeks, Redmond has started shipping the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 tablets worldwide. The slates are also available via retailers in multiple markets around the globe, with more countries soon to be in on the action.
Launch of the Week
Unofficially, Nokia was supposed to hold this event earlier, but the Finnish telecom giant officially unveiled several new products at its Nokia World event in Abu Dhabi. Among the new devices is the anticipated phablet, the Lumia 1520, and the company’s Windows RT slate, the Lumia 2520.
Attack of the Week
Apple CEO Tim Cook drew (most would say needless) first blood when he attacked Windows 8 and Microsoft’s tablet efforts at its launch event. Redmond wasted no time in launching its own counterattack, where it labeled Apple software as lightweight.
Marketing of the Week
Leave it to Microsoft to plan lavish and elaborate marketing events for its product launches. Remember the frenzy created during the Windows 95 launch? Well, this 383-inch fully working Surface tablet may not match exactly it, but it is a rich extravaganza nevertheless, and an exciting way to advertise.
Promise of the Week
Microsoft’s mobile platform is set to get a ton of new features within the next few months, as Update 3 and Windows Phone 8.1 go live. But the company also has business users in mind, and has promised that several enterprise features are set for arrival on Windows Phone next year.
