Microsoft Kept Surface A Secret From Partners
Likely insulting hardware partners -- and perhaps jeopardizing future relationships -- Microsoft reportedly kept them in the dark about its competing tablet computer, Surface. In fact, some long-time collaborators learned of the new gadget only days before its unveiling, earlier this week, sources tell Reuters.
The sneaky move marks a departure from Microsoft's tradition of working closely with hardware companies to test and fine-tune every new product, according to Reuters. “It also underscores how Microsoft is starting to take pages from Apple Inc's playbook, keeping its cards close to the vest as it works to reinvent its Windows franchise and jump into the hardware business.” Say sources, the earliest that Microsoft's personal computing partners were told about Surface was last Friday -- just three days before it was shown to the media at an event in Los Angeles.
Windows chief Steven Sinofsky reportedly made a round of telephone calls, but gave only the barest details on Friday. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told reporters the company had informed its largest hardware-manufacturing partners about the tablet.
Recent Around the Net In Online Marketing Articles
-
Is Google Just An Amazon Copycat? May 24, 11:59 a.m.
Despite its image as an innovator and a maverick, Google appears to be borrowing liberally from ... -
Hulu's Future Less Uncertain Than Ever May 24, 11:58 a.m.
With Hulu hanging in the balance, the first round of bids were reportedly due this week ... -
Google Faces New Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads May 24, 11:57 a.m.
Once again, U.S. regulators are reportedly pursuing an antitrust probe into whether Google’s ad sales business ... -
Waze Stirs Bidding War Between Google, Facebook May 24, 11:55 a.m.
Threatening a bidding war, Google is said to be eying Waze -- that social driving app ... -
Gadget Use Soaring Among Fliers May 23, 12:23 p.m.
Don’t tell your flight attendant, but frequent fliers are greatly increasing their use of tablets and ... -
Microsoft Employs Siri To Bash Apple May 23, 12:22 p.m.
Say it ain’t so, Siri! Seemingly against her will (if she even has one), Apple’s oracle ... -
Yahoo Buys Gaming Platform Provider PlayerScale May 23, 12:21 p.m.
Continuing its buying binge, Yahoo just scooped up gaming platform startup PlayerScale. “PlayerScale, which was founded ... -
Twitter Streams Network Fare With "Amplify" May 23, 12:20 p.m.
Twitter on Thursday unveiled a new way for TV networks to broadcast real-time video on the ... -
"Social Expressions" Startup Urturn Raises $13.4M May 22, 11:48 a.m.
Urturn -- a so-call “social expressions platform” -- just closed a $13.4 million Series A funding ... -
Apple To Embrace More Social Networks May 22, 11:47 a.m.
Apple reportedly plans to give third-party social networks -- including Flickr and Vimeo -- a bigger ...
Be the first to comment on "Microsoft Kept Surface A Secret From Partners"
Leave a Comment