surface

Microsoft renames its old Surface computer as PixelSense

With Microsoft's unveiling of a laptop today carrying the "Surface" name, the company has bestowed a new name on the product that formerly carried the Surface moniker.

The table-top, multitouch computer that Microsoft unveiled in 2007, which was largely relegated to retail outlets, hotel lobbies, and museums, has been rebranded as PixelSense. The original Surface, which resembled a 1980s sit-down arcade machine, wasn't much of a gadget for consumers, thanks largely to its $12,500 price tag.

But the new name is a bit of return to the product's roots. The device's panel features … Read more

Do you want a Microsoft Surface tablet? (poll)

Before Microsoft announced its Surface tablets today (and while speculation was still running wild as to what the big mystery reveal would be), we asked you, readers, what a Microsoft tablet should be should Redmond head in that direction. This is the answer that led our poll by 77 percent:

"Design it to be forward-looking. New tablet-centric software is key, older Windows software is not. Very cool (in other words thin), good battery life, and good-enough performance. Tight integration of software and hardware is important. (Apple's iPad comes to mind.)"

Well, now that Microsoft's two new slates have arrived, it's time to ask if they meet your expectations. The forward-thinking highlight feature of the Surface might be a magnetically attached, 3mm-thick Touch Cover that folds down and functions as a full touch-screen keyboard. But maybe you were hoping for more. … Read more

Why Microsoft built its own tablet -- think Apple and Xbox

In the last century, while Steve Jobs was anguishing over the look of a bevel on the Macintosh, Bill Gates, rocking back and forth, figured out how to achieve world domination for Windows. Gates handily won, applying his business-friendly, partner-with-PC-makers formula to render Apple a bit player. Even today, Microsoft has more than 90 percent market share of desktops, compared with 6 percent for Apple.

But in the mobile world, the roles are reversed. Microsoft is barely a blip on the mobile scene, while Apple and Google are running away with the fast-growing market. The number of mobile Internet users … Read more

Microsoft's new Surface ad: It's sexy and we know it

No wispy piece of slightly plaintive alternative music, with vocals by a singer in her early 20s.

No James Earl Jones voice going on about specs after specs after specs.

Instead, the ad released by Microsoft to entrance you with the new Surface tablet-cum-PC-cum-brand revivifier has lots of bass and a touch of art.

"Look," the company seems to be saying. "It's sexy. And we know it."

It's, um, different. Colorful, even. It's not what you expected, especially that keyboard.

"And," the ad is thumping, "we're positively not going … Read more

Microsoft breaks tradition with Microsoft Surface tablets

Editor's note: For CNET's complete analysis of Microsoft's new tablets, check out our First Take of the Surface RT.

It's the end of an era. Or maybe the start of a new one.

Microsoft -- a company that traditionally has relied exclusively on its PC partners to provide hardware powered by its Windows operating system -- is trying out a new business model with next Windows release.

The company is going to offer two Microsoft-branded tablets of its own, both of which are branded as Microsoft Surface. … Read more

As tablet use grows, Android use on par with Apple, report says

The number of tablet users is on the rise, according to a report from the Online Publishers Association released today.

By 2013, nearly half of the United States' Internet users will own tablets, the study estimates, based on a survey examining demographics and consumer behavior and attitude toward advertising. That means more than 117 million people will own slates in the U.S.

The survey found that 31 percent of consumers already own tablets this year -- a 12 percent increase from last year.

A look at the breakdown of which platform tablet users own, Android has actually caught up … Read more

Xbox Surface? More rumors ahead of today's reveal

Yes, I said I was done guessing what Microsoft might announce today in Los Angeles. But I can't resist, given a couple more rumors that have surfaced on various sites.

One leak claims Microsoft is making a 7-inch Surface tablet controller along with a stationary Xbox, a combination that could be labeled the "Xbox Surface." Neowin.net surfaced that rumor, based on information from the Shifted2U site. LiveSide.net posted an additional alleged spec sheet for the Xbox Surface.

According to the rumored specs, the Surface controller would include an ARM processor from Texas Instruments for "… Read more

New biochip measures glucose levels in saliva

Glucose levels are 100 times more concentrated in blood than in saliva, which is why in spite of many efforts to use saliva, diabetics are still pricking themselves to get accurate glucose readings.

But now, harnessing the power of nanotechnology, engineers at Brown University say they've designed a biochip that can measure glucose levels in saliva almost as accurately as current devices can measure levels in blood.

To do this, the engineers etched a complicated array of thousands of plasmonic interferometers (no, this is not an episode of Farscape) onto a fingernail-size biochip. This means they were essentially using … Read more

EXOdesk spreads its 36-inch touch-screen wings

LAS VEGAS--The sneak preview video for the EXOdesk had lots of people drooling over the big touch-screen interface that's reminiscent of the Microsoft Surface, minus the honking big price tag.

The EXOdesk from EXOPC is now making a cameo appearance at ViewSonic's booth at CES. The 36-inch demonstration device begs you to run your hands all over it, so I did.… Read more

Crave 67: Elective bear mauling (podcast)

Tablets are done. The future is tables. Unfortunately, it's the same future where giant teddy bears punch you in your sleep and adorable pugs are transformed into bloodthirsty monsters. This week, Bonnie Cha joins Donald and Eric to talk all about this topsy-turvy dystopia and provides the invaluable function of translating Eric's obscure '80s film references for the rest of us. In Geek News, Eric channels the dark heart of Bane.

Subscribe in iTunes SD Video | Subscribe in RSS SD Video … Read more