Sigh…. Where did the week go? It seems they keep going by faster and faster.
Well, no matter. It’s Sunday morning so, here’s another weekly Surface news roundup for you to peruse. This week, I came up with the following stories:
- Fall Update Drops, With Some Problems
- Windows 10 Updates Will Come Slower
- Surface 3 LTE from Verizon
- Tim Cook’s Deluded/Diluted Comment
- SP4 in the UK
- Microsoft Store Down Under
Ok, let’s get started…
[divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: Fall Update Drops, With Some Problems
Earlier this week, Microsoft released the “Threshold 2” update. Now referred to as the November Update or Fall Update, it was the first major update to Windows 10 since it’s release in July. While it brought some cool new functionality (and returned some functionality from Windows 8.1), it has had some problems. Fortunately, most of these problems can be resolved.
If you haven’t seen the update appear on your Surface yet, don’t worry. Microsoft is rolling the update out in waves and it should appear on your Surface soon.
Related: Love My Surface [divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: Windows 10 Updates Will Come Slower
Perhaps as a result of issues reported with the Fall Update, Microsoft has signaled that they will slow-down the release of major updates.
In the past, Microsoft released major updates (like the Fall Update) three times a year. Newer documents are hinting at updates going forward happening “two or three times a year”.
This new, slightly slower, update frequency will not apply to security patches or fixes. Those will still come out as frequently as needed.
Related: Computer World ,TechNet [divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: Surface 3 LTE from Verizon
As of this week, Verizon (as well as AT&T) is selling Surface 3 tablets with 4G LTE. Unlike the LTE models that you can buy from Microsoft, these devices still come with Windows 8.1 and you have the option to upgrade to Windows 10.
Business users can get one for $649.99 USD with a 2-year activation contract. Surface 3 4G LTE devices can also be picked up for $749.99 USD without a contract. Since you can buy the same unlocked Surface 3 4G LTE model 128GB of storage directly from Microsoft for just $699.00, I don’t know why you’d ever want to do it but, you can.
Related: WinBeta, Verizon [divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: Tim Cook’s Deluded/Diluted Comment
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has made it clear that he thinks the concept of Microsoft’s Surface line of devices is misguided. In fact, he was originally quoted as calling the attempt “deluded”. Apple PR quickly stepped in and said he really said “diluted” and that he believes it will never work because it’s trying to do too much and can’t really be a good laptop or tablet.
Personally, I’d take him a bit more seriously if the (just released) iPad Pro didn’t look a lot like a Surface clone but, that’s just me.
Related: TechRadar, Yahoo [divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: SP4 in the UK
The Surface Pro 4 and new Surface accessories were made available in the UK as of November 12th.
UK pricing for the SP4 starts at £749, including a Surface Pen. If you want a Pen and Type Cover, the price starts at £859. The SP4 and its accessories should be available from the following outlets:
- Microsoft Store UK
- Amazon
- Argos
- Dixons Travel
- John Lewis
- Harrods
- PC World/Currys
- Selfridges, Staples
- Very.co.uk.
So, if you’re in the UK and have been waiting to get a SP4, the wait is over. If you’re waiting on a Surface Book, you’ve got a few more months to wait. It appears they won’t be available in the UK until 2016.
Related: Betanews, Hexus [divider]
Weekly Surface News Roundup: Microsoft Store Down Under
Last Thursday, Microsoft opened the first Microsoft Retail Store outside of the US in Sydney, Australia.
The event had a lot of fanfare and some folks commented how similar it is to an Apple Store. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise since Microsoft snagged former Apple Store leader, Nick Wells. He previously helped launch Apple’s Sydney, Bondi, Newcastle, and Castle Towers stores and brought some of the same ideas to the Microsoft Store launch.
Regardless, the new store is impressive. It offers 500 square meters of space and two-stories. It also has a huge Surface Hub as a centerpiece and a multitude of wall-mounted tablets where customers can interact and play. Did I mention the giant video centerpiece features big screens where customers can play Minecraft? Well, it does.
So, if you’re near the Pitt Street Mall at some point in the future, swing by and check it out.
Related: IBT, Sydney Morning Herald [divider]
And, that’s it for this week folks. I’ll have another list of Surface-related new stories for your information and entertainment next week.
Tim
