Microsoft Surface tablet now available through Best Buy and Staples

Microsoft has announced that it will expand sales of its Surface tablet to third party retailers.

Some analysts have blamed the Surface tablet’s slow start on its limited retail availability, but now Microsoft is looking to change that. On Tuesday, the longtime PC-software maker announced that it plans to bring the Surface to third party retail locations in addition to its own stores.

“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see,” Panos Panay, general manager for Microsoft Surface, said in a statement. “We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase the Surface.”

Microsoft will start rolling out its tablet to stores in the U.S. and Australia beginning in mid-December. On Wednesday, the Windows RT tablet officially made its debut on Best Buy’s website and is expected to hit the company’s brick and mortar locations on Sunday. Staples has also begun offering the tablet through its online store.

“Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for the Surface after the first of every year,” Steve Schueler, corporate vice president for Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing, said in a statement. “Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier.”

This move directly echoes the words of brokerage firm Detwiler Fenton from earlier this month. In its research notes, the company blamed poor reception of Microsoft’s tablet to a lack of availability and distribution. Detwiler specifically cited Best Buy, saying that the tablet’s minimal exposure at outlets such as these could have been “severely depressing sales.”

In addition to adding the Surface to Best Buy and Staples’ holiday gadget lineup, Microsoft will be extending its holiday pop-up stores into the new year. These retail locations will be made into permanent Microsoft stores or specialty locations, the company said in its statement on Wednesday.

Before today, the tablet was only available through Microsoft’s online store, the company’s 31 retail stores and 34 previously temporary locations. A wider availability could be what Microsoft needs to give the Surface an edge going into the new year. Tablet shoppers will have the chance to get their hands on the device, get a feel for it, and compare it alongside other similar gadgets in person.

Microsoft has not commented on retail availability for its Surface tablet beyond the US and Australia.

View the original article here

Nintendo’s Wii Mini is $100 and only available in Canada

Nintendo confirmed the existence of its rumored Wii Mini on Tuesday, but the new version of the famous game console will only be released in Canada. Nintendo is mum on if and when the console will be released in the US.

The Wii is dead, long live the Wii. The Monday rumor that Nintendo is planning to release a brand new model of its six year old console has turned out to be entirely true. Nintendo officially announced the Wii Mini on Tuesday morning. As expected its smaller than current models of Wii and sports a very different look to boot. Rather than the glossy black plastic of the last Wii redesign, the Wii Mini has matte finish with a bright red border for a color scheme similar to models of the Nintendo 3DS XL. Like the first Wii redesign, Wii Mini doesn’t support Gamecube games or have ports for Gamecube controllers. Strangely it also doesn’t support Internet connectivity, meaning no Virtual Console or WiiWare games.

That’s not the only thing strange about Wii Mini, though. The budget priced console is only releasing in Canada on December 7. Digital Trends contacted Nintendo representatives in both the US and Canada to try and find out whether Wii Mini would be releasing in other territories.

“The Wii Mini is available exclusively in Canada during the holiday season,” said Nintendo of America’s representative, “We currently have no information about its potential availability in other territories (such as the U.S.) in the future.”

The question then is: Why Canada? Is that market in particular open to an ultra cheap Wii? Nintendo’s representatives in Canada said that they have no comment at this time as to why the console is exclusive to the region.

As mentioned in our Monday report, what makes the release of this new Wii model so strange is that Nintendo has officially stated that it’s no longer making new Wii games. When Nintendo released hardware revisions at the tail end of a console’s lifecycle in the past, it was always supported with new games. The top-loading NES for example was released in 1993, two years after the Super Nintendo, but it was supported with new games published by Nintendo through 1994. The Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advance followed similar patterns.

Wii Mini is part of what seems to be a trend in the game industry. Sony also released a cheap model of PlayStation 3 with only 12GB of flash memory outside the US that doesn’t focus on downloadable content.

The Wii Mini will be released in Canada on Dec. 7 and retail for $100.

View the original article here

LinkedIn for BlackBerry v2.0 now available

*Update: After many hours of frustration V2.0 is now live and will work. Looking good on my Bold 9900*

LinkedIn for BlackBerry v2.0 is now available for download. It's been quite a while (over a year actually) since we've seen an update for this one, so if you use the app at all you'll be very pleased with the new features. Version 2.0 brings along a new UI, inbox integration and much more.

New features in v2.0 include:

Updated Navigation Screen - LinkedIn 2.0 unveils a new navigation screen that's designed to give easy access to all the LinkedIn features that keep BlackBerry users connected, such as "Updates," "You (professional profile)," "Inbox," and "Network (LinkedIn connections)."Enhanced Profile Experience - LinkedIn 2.0 gives access to LinkedIn profiles (including your connections and those you have not yet met) on your BlackBerry smartphone. The profile panel experience displays personal overviews (name, headline, and location), professional experience, education, and recommendations. Similar to the desktop version, you'll also be able to check out who's viewed your profile.Easily Accessible Inbox - With LinkedIn 2.0, you can access your LinkedIn inbox on your BlackBerry smartphone, allowing you to receive messages and accept or ignore LinkedIn invitations while on the go. Inbox messages will display name and profile image of the sender, as well as a message subject and the time since the message was received.Real-time Access to your professional network - Put your professional network at your fingertips and stay in the know through LinkedIn 2.0. Catch up on the connections in your network and grow your network through a Connections Search or via ‘People you may know.'Staying In the Know - Catch up on all the latest LinkedIn activities on your BlackBerry smartphone by selecting "Updates." Learn what's been going on with your connections with a stream of recent activity and news from your network, including Likes/Comments on updates, industry content tailored for you and insightful articles on LinkedIn Today. 

You should see the latest version appear in BlackBerry App World over the next 24 hours. If you give it a go, hit up the comments and let us know what you think!

More information/Download LinkedIn for BlackBerry    

View the original article here

Apple October 2012 iPad and Mac keynote now available for download from iTunes

Apple October 2012 iPad and Mac keynote now available for download from iTunes | iMore.com Skip to main content Android BlackBerry iPhone / iPad Windows Phone webOS REGISTER|LOG IN iMore iPhone iPad Forums Apps Accessories Reviews How-To Podcasts Free wallpapers: iPhone & iPad Guides: iOS, iCloud, Siri, photography, jailbreak Free: iPhone apps & games, iPad apps & games Shop Online Cases Chargers Screen protectors Headsets & More Free shipping on orders over $50 Apple October 2012 iPad and Mac keynote now available for download from iTunes By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 a 12:54 am 0

If streaming the October 2012 Apple iPad and Mac event isn't your thing, it's also now available for download as an iTunes podcast. Actually, as 3 iTunes podcasts -- standard, 720p, and 1080p. Same great keynote content, even higher definition video for your Retina iPad or MacBook Pro.

Here are the channels:

Standard - Download now720p - Download now1080p - Download now

Rene Ritchie

Editor-in-Chief of iMore, co-host of Mobile Nations, Iterate, ZEN and TECH. Cook, grappler, photon wrangler. Follow him on Twitter, App.net, Google+.

More Posts

 

0 10 67 More of: News
More of: ipad mini event, apple keynotes podcast ? PreviouslyApple posts iPad and Mac event keynote Next up ?MacBreak Weekly 322: First Nerd Problem Register or Login to add comments Contact iMoreSEND US NEWS  |  SUBMIT AN APP

Shop iMore

THE #1 ACCESSORY STORE | 2 MILLION+ ORDERS SHIPPED

Browse All Accessories Cases and Skins Chargers Cradles Bluetooth Headsets Screen Protectors See all accessories Browse Accessories For Your Phone iPhone 5 Cases Chargers Car Kits & more iPhone 4S Cases Chargers Car Kits & more The new iPad Cases Chargers Screen Care & more iPhone 4 Cases Chargers Car Kits & more iPad 2 Cases Chargers Screen Care & more iPhone 3GS Cases Chargers Car Kits & more Shop iMore

THE #1 ACCESSORY STORE | 2 MILLION+ ORDERS SHIPPED

View All Devices STORE AD CONTENT Follow iMore(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1&appId=213678485361751"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Follow @iMore!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");


Facebook
Twitter
Google+
RSS
YouTube
iTunes Download iMoreiMORE APP  |  iMORE FORUMS  |  MOBILE NATIONS

Watch iMoreMORE SHOWS  |  MORE VIDEOS

Tell iMore
Team iMore
Rene
Georgia
Leanna
Chris
Ally
Simon
Chris
Michelle Headlines 13" retina MacBook Pro gets the customary teardown treatment Apple shares detailed design drawings of iPad mini and 4th generation iPad Apple releases new MacBook Pro commercial, Colors ZEN and TECH: Q&A live at 10:30pm ET, 7:30pm PT All headlines Help & how-to Black or white, which iPad mini or iPad 4 should you get? How to sell your old iPad before buying an iPad 4 or iPad mini How to replace the front facing FaceTime camera in an iPhone 4S How to find restaurants, read reviews, and make reservations using Siri All help & how-to Apps & games Languages for iPhone review Loren Brichter talks about his new game, Letterpress for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad Letterpress by Atebits review Sonic Jump by SEGA for iPhone and iPad review All apps & games Accessories iPad mini Smart Covers priced at $39 VooMote Zapper Universal Remote Control for iPad review Lightning to 30-pin Adapters hands-on SGP GLAS.t premium tempered glass screen protector for iPhone 5 review All accessories iPhone Is your Verizon or Sprint iPhone 5 displaying the wrong date and time? Need For Speed Most Wanted heading to iPhone and iPad in the very near future iPhone 5, photography, purple fringing, and what you need to know Weekly photo contest: Avatars! All iphone More iPad Apple shares detailed design drawings of iPad mini and 4th generation iPad iPad mini round-table - reactions to Apple's latest and greatest product announcements LTE-enabled iPad mini and fourth-gen iPad will come to Sprint Swell Apple Store manager extends return period for remorseful iPad third-gen buyers All more ipad iOS 5 + iCloud iPad mini event - by the numbers Apple begins construction on Prineville data center Apple acquires HTML5-focused startup Particle Apple adds shared reminders to iCloud web app All ios 5 + icloud Jailbreak State of the jailbreak: iOS 6, iPhone 5, and more How to tethered jailbreak iOS 6 and install Cydia Add page animations and transitions to your iPhone or iPad with DisplayCandy [jailbreak] Dash brings fluid card style multitasking to your iPhone [jailbreak] All jailbreak Device reviews iPhone 5 review The new iPad (2012) review iPhone 4S review 2011 iPod touch review All device reviews Comparisons iPad 4 vs. Kindle Fire 8 HD vs. Nexus 7 vs. Surface RT vs. PlayBook: Spec shootout! iPad mini vs. Kindle Fire 7 HD vs. Nexus 7 vs. Surface RT vs. PlayBook: Spec shootout! iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 2: Which one should you get? iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4S vs iPad 3 vs Android: Benchmark shootout All comparisons Features Forums: Getting an iPad mini, How do you all feel about the pricing? How to replace the front facing FaceTime camera in an iPhone 4S Are you ordering a new iPad mini, iPad 4, iMac, 13-inch Macbook Pro, or Mac mini? What do you think Apple will announce at the iPad mini event? [Poll] All features Contests Weekly Photo Contest: Lens Flare! iMore Weekly Contest winners: iPods and Instagram photos! Win a free iPad mini from iMore! Win a FREE color modified AnoStyle™ iPhone 5 from The Pod Drop! All contests Mobile Nations YouTube Channel Follow Us on Twitter Join us on Facebook Mobile Nations RSS Feed 9,367,600 Readers Per Month Mobile Nations brings you the very best of Android Central,
CrackBerry, iMore, webOS Nation, and WPCentral   Deal of the Day: 46% off the Incipio OVRMLD Case for iPhone 5Black or white, which iPad mini or iPad 4 should you get?13" retina MacBook Pro gets the customary teardown treatmentLanguages for iPhone reviewApple shares detailed design drawings of iPad mini and 4th generation iPadApple releases new MacBook Pro commercial, Colors   Dead Trigger Hallowe'en update includes new graveyard levelSprint begins Jelly Bean rollout to the Samsung Galaxy S3Nexus 10 manual shots reveal a curvy Samsung-made tabletDeal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for HTC One XAT&T announces Sony Xperia TL, landing November 2 How to delete applications from BlackBerry App WorldDeal of the Day: Save 44% on the iGrip PerfektFit Charging Dock for BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900Dear Berry: How do I stop syncing my gmail contacts on my BlackBerry?Spooktacular Halloween wallpapers for your BlackBerryBlackBerry Print to Go desktop software updated to v1.0.161 Microsoft Windows 8 Launch live stream and chatIntroducing Jukebox: a cross-platform music streaming serviceSee how the Surface Movement advert was made with this fun behind the scenes videoWindows Phone App Review: Photo ShaderSection of Nokia Lumia manuals display all the outside bits and bobsSouth Africa: Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 heading your way! Gram working with LG on an Open webOS TVSet a Reply-To email addressTweaking Open webOS for phone-sized screensMobile Nations 19: PassportAn update from Amazon MP3: They're working on itGoogle Maps Street View (homebrew)   iPhone / iPad ForumsAndroid ForumsBlackBerry ForumsWindows Phone ForumswebOS Forums Copyright 2012 Mobile Nations ? Terms and Conditions ? Privacy Policy

View the original article here