Each week Ross Rubin (http://twitter.com/rossrubin) contributes Switched On (http://www.engadget.com/tag/switchedon?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), a column about consumer technology.(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/microsoft-surface-rt-1367174903.jpg) (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/27/microsofts-small-tablet-trap/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget) More Info
- Microsoft reiterates that Windows 8 could see small(er) devices soon
- Windows Phone sees big gains at the expense of BlackBerry and Symbian (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/01/windows-phone-sees-big-gain/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)
- Microsoft releases Surface RT and Pro updates (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/09/microsoft-surface-rt-pro-update-wifi/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)
Based on last quarter's global PC shipment numbers, Microsoft continues to feel pain in making the case for Windows is a viable tablet operating system. Theoretically, the dual-identity (Windows 8/RT) operating system has everything it needs to be a contender, but the promise is ahead of the reality on three interdependent fronts: chip-level hardware, legacy support, and app software.
For example, if x86 chips were more competitive with ARM processors from a performance-per-watt perspective, then Microsoft wouldn't be as reliant on Metro-style apps for functionality. And if more developers were creating Metro-style apps, then consumers wouldn't have to go to the legacy desktop mode as much to get things done. (Until the company releases a Metro-style Office, Microsoft really can't wag its finger too much at third parties.)
Filed under: Tablets (http://www.engadget.com/category/tablets/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), Apple (http://www.engadget.com/category/apple/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), Microsoft (http://www.engadget.com/category/microsoft/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), HP (http://www.engadget.com/category/hp/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)
Comments (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/28/microsofts-small-tablet-trap/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments)Via: Engadget