I’m kind of excited about the Surface tablet.
Assuming it catches on at all, it will force iOS to stay on top of the game audio-wise. Android tablets are woefully behind with regard to media processing as a system service (especially compared with Windows and iOS), and Apple has basically been able to stay on top while ignoring important things like “inter-app audio” until now.
As far as Microsoft is concerned, this announcement is a big middle finger to their channel partners who have to date failed to make a popular tablet (also, it’s kind of a snub to Intel, who only gets half of the action).
It’s risky and bold; Frustrated in a post-PC economy with no options to support their old business model, Microsoft was forced to take the matter into their own hands. If everything turns out like the Xbox, this could be a big new platform for them. If not, this could be the beginning of the end. Check out The Verge’s video – if Josh Topolsky likes it, I’m paying attention.
WILL KUHN 