No Windows 8/RT love from Google:

Google not planning to "build out Windows apps" because the users aren't there

But given that RT/WP8 is direct Android competition, that's not a big surprise.

Google just released Maps for iOS, which some people are saying is even better than the current version for Android.

They don't support iPad or offline mode but those are supposedly coming.

So apparently they will release apps. for the competition.

I think that was to rub salt into the Apple map wounds, especially as it became the most popular app yesterday on iTunes.

No I think they expect to get a lot of data from usage to help them make money in their primary business of serving up ads.

That too but I'd be surprised if there wasn't some salt rubbing going on.

And in another attack on Microsoft, Google ends ActiveSync support for new customers on 30-Jan-2013

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/14/3...-windows-phone

Does anyone know if this impacts the Surface mail client?

I don't think so - pretty sure they use IMAP.

Seems someone has figured out how to load any old ARM-compatible software on the RT no need to use the MS store.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01...curity_hacked/

Hey for those of you who have the Surface, could it run full version of the Firefox browser along with all the addons? The bad thing about iOS and Android tablets is that neither could run full firefox browser. The addon support for mobile Firefox is very limited.

From TG Daily

$900 Microsoft Windows 8 Surface Pro launches on Feb 9

Posted January 22, 2013 - 16:13 by Trent Nouveau
Microsoft has confirmed that its Intel-powered Windows 8 Pro Surface tablet will launch on February 9, 2013.

The device - which is equipped with a Core i5 processor - starts at $900 and will be available at a number of retailers, including Microsoft's official store, Staples and Best Buy.

dot dot dot

Additional accessories, such as the Touch Cover and Type Cover, carry a price tag of $120 and $130, respectively.

Microsoft also announced a slew of new accessories for its tablet lineup, including three touch covers (red, magenta and cyan) for $130, along with a Wedge Touch Mouse for $70.

While I still think it's pretty pricey, I would certainly get this over an RT if I needed a windows tablet and nobody else was making them, and I had money to just toss out the window


Read more at http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-feat...sCMEgj8UVMx.99

I'm willing to give them another try - it sounds like Surface Pro fixes everything I hated about Surface RT.

Are they still lying about the memory each tablet comes with?

The wedge mouse looks pretty cool, I was not aware they had that. It's available for $40 and up from other vendors for those who don't want to pay $70 for it.

Looks interesting but would it be comfortable to move around?

Guess it has more surface area than Apple's mouse for the touch control though.

Yup, they are so bent on lying to you about the storage on RT that they even setup a page to explain it all to customers - http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/storage.

Additionally in the basic specs, you can see a #3 pointing to a note at the bottom that tells you that - "System software uses significant storage space; your storage capacity will be less. See surface.com/storage. 1 GB = 1 billion bytes. "

Yes, absolutely they are being dishonest and sneaky here.

Let's also not forget about how Apple does the same - "2.1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.", except I don't see a page that explains exactly how much is available, like Microsoft does.