Since the guesses and rumors about Microsoft;s planned Customer Electronics Show (CES) announcements continue to multiply,
Office Pro Plus 2010 Key, I;ve decided to throw a different in to the mix. I;m questioning regardless of whether CEO Steve Ballmer and Co. could announce a strategy and/or roadmap for tablet-sized Surface units this week.This is purely a guess on my part. It isn;t based on a rumor or tip. But right here;s what;s acquired me questioning: In 2008, Microsoft execs said that a PC-sized version with the Surface multi-touch table could feasibly debut by 2011.Microsoft is known to have already been testing the marketplace curiosity in a smaller sized Surface. Microsoft execs have investigated a variety of achievable type elements that this kind of a machine (codenamed Oahu) might encompassMicrosoft researchers have already been working on a job, recognized as Manual Deskerity, that is centered on bringing some of the equipment and technologies demonstrated in those Courier tablet prototype video clips, towards the Surface However the biggest reason I started mulling a Surface announcement — or even just a “this is coming some day” demo — at CES is because of a change in a Microsoft executive;s bio I discovered this past weekend.Michael Angiulo is the Corporate Vice President of Planning, Hardware and Pc Ecosystem team at Microsoft. Prior to December 30, his corporate bio mentioned he was overseeing planning for Windows, Windows Live and Internet Explorer. On December 30, his bio was updated with this line: “In addition,
Microsoft Office Professional 2007, he is responsible for Surface Computing, Computer Hardware, and many different partner engagement programs such as WinHEC,
Office Professional 2007 Key, the Logo programs for hardware and systems, and direct engineering engagements with OEMs,
Office 2010 Pro Key, IHVs and ISVs.”The Surface teams was one particular of those left in limbo after former Entertainment & Products chief Robbie Bach;s departure from Microsoft last year. When I asked where Microsoft planned to move the Surface team, I was told it was TBD (to be determined). It seems the Surface unit has landed…A lot of Microsoft watchers have reported that Microsoft is going to announce a new version of Windows that can run on ARM chips at CES and focus on this platform as the company;s slate offering. (Microsoft execs have told me on extra than one particular occasion that there will be no new edition of Windows before Windows 8, so unless the Softies are ready to talk Windows 8, I;m curious what this means.)As I;ve blogged previously,
Windows 7 Discount, I;m further inclined to think Microsoft is going to talk about Windows Embedded as its slate offering at this week;s exhibit. (I;m starting to think it may be Windows Embedded Standard 7, rather than Windows Embedded Compact 7, given Microsoft officials have said Embedded Standard is well-suited for thin clients and networked media devices…)But back towards the Surface. I;m skeptical that the recent updating of Angiulo;s bio was coincidental. I;d expect he;ll play a role in Ballmer;s CES address. The question is whether or not the Surface also will play a role when Ballmer keynotes on January 5….As I;ve said, this really is all unsourced speculation on my component. What do you think?