Microsoft’s Big News Is An eReader?

by Mike on June 18, 2012

Microsoft Barnes And Noble Tablet

Over the weekend, it became evident that Microsoft had some big news in store for the public this week in regards to a new product launch that they would be announcing. With news that a new device was being launched, speculation began as to just what this device could be.

The announcement is still scheduled for 3:30PM PST in Los Angeles at which time everything will become clear, but speculation is still going on about this new product. Originally, it was believed that we would see an in-house Microsoft tablet, one that would allow the company to compete against the likes of Apple. Now however, it seems like we may have to lower our expectations as it would appear that Barnes and Noble will be at this press event.

The fact that executives from B&N are at this event may mean that the two companies are partnering up to launch an eBook Reader. This would seem quite reasonable and perhaps an intermediary to perhaps an eventual full fledged Windows tablet. In fact, Microsoft has worked with B&N before, having invested $300 million to create what they call “Newco”. With that company in mind, the new product launch for today could be the first product to come out of their partnership.

Though details of this device are limited at this time, the one tidbit that we do have is that this device will have the ability to stream Xbox Live content, making it the first device other then the Xbox to have this ability.

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