Microsoft Surface

I was wrong about yesterday's announcement, which was all about hardware and not about software.   

Microsoft announced Surface, a new 10.6 inch tablet with a really innovative keyboard/cover.  The tablet looks like it will be really good, but Microsoft revealed almost nothing about it.  No specs, other than the size.  Downloading the spec sheet doesn't help much, other than to give you the rating for the battery, but that is in Watt hours, not in usage hours, so it is pretty worthless.  They announced two models, one with an ARM processor running Windows RT and one with an Intel processor running Windows 8. 

Unfortunately, not being one of those invited to the announcement, I have to rely on others to tell me about how it feels, but the reports so far are good.  It looks like it will be a solid unit, with a good balanced feel in your hands.  It has a Gorilla Glass screen, which means it should hold up well to daily use.   

It has a couple of features that some members of the tech press are suggesting are unnecessary or unwanted, but I disagree with them.  Putting a kickstand on a tablet seems like an obvious thing.  There are plenty of times when you will want to prop up your tablet, and if it does not compromise the weight or the sturdiness of the case, then I say bring it on.  Phones, at least some of them, have had kickstands for a long time and it is about time that a tablet got one. 

The other feature is a stylus.  Now, your Applefanboys will dismiss the idea of a stylus, because the iPad does not have one, and so obviously you don't need one.  If Steve Jobs didn't think it was necessary, then it isn't.  You'll have to imagine the this-is-utter-BS tone of my voice.  I can hear it in my own head, but it doesn't come out well onto the page. 

While, having to use a stylus is not the best user experience...and yes, I am familiar with that experience, I have a Samsung Q1U, a stylus has some distinct advantages, especially when combined with handwriting recognition.  I read lots about people taking notes on their iPads, but personally, I think they are kidding themselves when they say it is easy.  First, I don't like talking notes on a keyboard anyway, and second, an onscreen keyboard is just a pain to use on top of that.  My guess is they don't take many notes. 

A stylus, combined with handwriting recognition, allows you to take notes as fast as you can scribble, and I can scribble pretty damn fast.  And, did I mention that the handwriting recognition in Windows 7 is excellent?  If Microsoft has kept that same capability in Windows 8 and RT, then we are in for a treat.  Touch when we want it, and stylus when that makes more sense than fingers. 

But, the biggest part of the announcement...in my opinion...is the new keyboard/cover that will come with, or at least be available for, the new Microsoft Surface Tablet.  This cover seems to be about the same thickness as the Apple Smartcover, but this is a lot smarter, since it actually adds functionality to your tablet.  You see, it's a keyboard, with a touchpad.  Now, with a cover that's a keyboard, and a stand that is built in, your tablet converts to a laptop anytime you open it.  You can fold the cover onto the back of your Surface and it is smart enough to recognize that it should not take input.  So, you have a tablet with no hassles.  Then, you pop out the stand and unfold the cover so that it sits out in front of the tablet and there is your keyboard and touchpad, instant portable. 

It looks incredibly cool, and if it works like they say it does, then it blows Apple right out of the water.  It's widescreen, as tablets should be.  It is thin and light, as tablets should be, and without buying or carrying an extra piece of hardware, your tablet turns from the standard consumption device into a productivity device.  And, if you buy the Windows 8 version, it runs all your legacy apps. 

Now, there are still a lot of questions about the Surface.  What is the actual battery life?  How well does the keyboard/cover work (they were not available for the media to test yesterday)?  How much will it cost? 

Any of these could put a roadblock in the way of the success of the Surface, but for today, Microsoft has taken a bold step and I cannot wait to get my hands on one.