950 and 950 XL are carrier exclusives! Why? And some random extra thoughts.
What the heck? Seriously, I now think Microsoft is actively trying to sabotage their own mobile efforts.
They've been down this road before. It didn't work out for them. Even as carrier exclusives the reps still forced people away from Windows phones. It doesn't matter what AT&T does for advertising. At the end of the day, more people will listen to the person selling the phones than the ads that got them in the store. And I don't see the sales people being any friendlier now than they were before.
Limiting sales to a single carrier just amplifies the effects of that problem. It doesn't matter if the phone is unlocked. Subsidized (one way or another) is still how most people get their phones. Since Microsoft didn't announce an Apple-esque financing strategy this should cripple sales. Way to go!
I don't live in the US, but I really have no illusions that it will be any different here in Canada.
Also, pre-order sites are up for the Surface devices, Canadians are getting raped thanks to our weak dollar :( it is what it is. And what it is, is suck-age.
Anyone who says that the hinge on the Surface Book is sexy is as delusional as those who think the iPad Pro is an enterprise device. (REALLY, these people exist!). Yes, it is all about preference, but bold design only works when people are indifferent or in love with your products. And so I imagine that the overwhelming response will be that it is ugly. As a matter of personal preference, I agree, it is ugly.
Also, continuum won't sell phones. It is a feature that would appeal to execs, and even then it seems rather unlikely that you would be somewhere with a keyboard and monitor and no actual computer to use. And they mostly run iPhone's. Average user doesn't care about running UWP apps on a monitor and keyboard.
I may like Microsoft and, generally, their products and services as well. And there are a few real wins from today's event (as there were for Apple and Google fans at their events). But I'm a realist and most of what was revealed is as misguided as most of Apple's and Google's latest round of products.
BTW, dedicated GPU adds on a few hundred to the base cost of the Surface Book. Not having that as standard at that price really makes you ask why they don't simply sell the keyboard separately. Though, not offering ports on the tablet kills that.
What would have instantly improved the Surface Book would have been adding at least one (but ideally 2-3 USB ports) on the tablet component and making the dock optional. Sure. The dock is sort of what the device is all about. But, with the dedicated GPU in the dock, it theoretically makes it an upgradeable component, and that is why it should be sold separately.
They've been down this road before. It didn't work out for them. Even as carrier exclusives the reps still forced people away from Windows phones. It doesn't matter what AT&T does for advertising. At the end of the day, more people will listen to the person selling the phones than the ads that got them in the store. And I don't see the sales people being any friendlier now than they were before.
Limiting sales to a single carrier just amplifies the effects of that problem. It doesn't matter if the phone is unlocked. Subsidized (one way or another) is still how most people get their phones. Since Microsoft didn't announce an Apple-esque financing strategy this should cripple sales. Way to go!
I don't live in the US, but I really have no illusions that it will be any different here in Canada.
Also, pre-order sites are up for the Surface devices, Canadians are getting raped thanks to our weak dollar :( it is what it is. And what it is, is suck-age.
Anyone who says that the hinge on the Surface Book is sexy is as delusional as those who think the iPad Pro is an enterprise device. (REALLY, these people exist!). Yes, it is all about preference, but bold design only works when people are indifferent or in love with your products. And so I imagine that the overwhelming response will be that it is ugly. As a matter of personal preference, I agree, it is ugly.
Also, continuum won't sell phones. It is a feature that would appeal to execs, and even then it seems rather unlikely that you would be somewhere with a keyboard and monitor and no actual computer to use. And they mostly run iPhone's. Average user doesn't care about running UWP apps on a monitor and keyboard.
I may like Microsoft and, generally, their products and services as well. And there are a few real wins from today's event (as there were for Apple and Google fans at their events). But I'm a realist and most of what was revealed is as misguided as most of Apple's and Google's latest round of products.
BTW, dedicated GPU adds on a few hundred to the base cost of the Surface Book. Not having that as standard at that price really makes you ask why they don't simply sell the keyboard separately. Though, not offering ports on the tablet kills that.
What would have instantly improved the Surface Book would have been adding at least one (but ideally 2-3 USB ports) on the tablet component and making the dock optional. Sure. The dock is sort of what the device is all about. But, with the dedicated GPU in the dock, it theoretically makes it an upgradeable component, and that is why it should be sold separately.
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