Microsoft Set to Unveil Something ‘Major’ on Monday June 18th

[ONQ]

Well, this is intriguing.Mashable just got an exclusive invite to a major Microsoft “Media Event” for June 18 in Los Angeles.
Nothing else — and we mean nothing — is known about the 3:30 p.m. event (more details, including the venue, should arrive by early Monday morning), but all indications are that this is not your typical Microsoft product unveiling. In fact, Microsoft is making it 100% clear that this is big:

This will be a major Microsoft announcement — you will not want to miss it.

It’s hard to recall another Microsoft inviotation like this one. No graphics, no details, no leaks. It sounds, well, almost Apple-esque in its urgency and stringent requirements and rules:

This is a non-transferrable invitation, however, if you would like to send your local colleague in your place, please submit that name and it will be reviewed. If you would like to bring a photographer please register that person as your additional guest. Please note – still photography and video will be limited.

So what does Microsoft have up its sleeve?
The fact that it’s in L.A., could indicate an entertainment-related announcement, though it seems unlikely Microsoft would call a new music service “major.” Our money is on hardware, but then what hardware? If it’s for consumers, the obvious guess would be an Xbox update or maye a new Kinect device. However, E3 was two weeks ago, why would Microsoft unveil gaming hardware now?

http://mashable.com/2012/06/14/micro...event-june-18/


any thoughts on what it could be?

[Soldier 95B]

They announce Windows Mobile 8 stuff that week, so it is probably related to that.

[The Sith]

My guess it will be the new 99 dollar Xbox 360.

[AaronSOLDIER]

Yeah, if it really was the next box we would've seen it last week when the world was watching

[Cuguy]

My guess it will be the new 99 dollar Xbox 360.

that's already been announced as part of that "pay monthly" stuff.

If they release a 99 buck xbox after getting folks to sign up for that 2 year deal, there'd be hell to pay LOL

[Blacksite]

I want to say it's the next-gen Xbox, and I think it was rumored to be compatible with Windows 8 or whatever, but like Aaron said, E3 would have been a better time and place to unveil it since more people would be watching.

The fact that it's a major announcement has me intrigued though.

[Cuguy]

Speculation on the net is MS is unveiling their line of Windows 8 Tablets in preparation for the Windows 8 demo two days later

[The Sith]

Well, Ms kept their word not to announce the next Xbox at E3....but didn't say when and where they would announce it. If this announcement is about major hardware it has to be the next console.

[Cuguy]

Well, Ms kept their word not to announce the next Xbox at E3....but didn't say when and where they would announce it. If this announcement is about major hardware it has to be the next console.

That's a good point.. this could take the industry by complete surprise and be a huge chunk of news.

I am betting it is tablets though..

[Ghost-Rhayne]

Well, Ms kept their word not to announce the next Xbox at E3....but didn't say when and where they would announce it. If this announcement is about major hardware it has to be the next console.

I would have thought that announcing their next console not even 2 weeks after their E3 presser would kind of undermine everything they showed. It doesn't make much sense to me. I think it's tablet related too.

[Sub-stance1]

Most likely the tablet or that thing with them and Yammer. Doubt its game related but one can dream.

[Soldier 95B]

I personally can't stand Microsoft or most of their products (as they are usually pretty shoddy IMO). I prefer Apple products (while over priced, they work much better in my experience. My point here is, Apple has tied their OS to their hardware, which is why it runs so well. Same goes for the Xbox 360. It has a dedicated Microsoft OS and hardware platform, giving you pretty much an error free experience.

The announcement that I would like to see is Microsoft computers. Like their version of an iMac, Macbook, Mac Pro. All Microsoft hardware and software. The experience might be a much better experience than what you get now from HP, Sony, Dell, Gateway PCs for example. I don't think I would ever buy one, but I would like to see similar operating system success to what they have done with the Xbox.

[The Sith]

I personally can't stand Microsoft or most of their products (as they are usually pretty shoddy IMO). I prefer Apple products (while over priced, they work much better in my experience. My point here is, Apple has tied their OS to their hardware, which is why it runs so well. Same goes for the Xbox 360. It has a dedicated Microsoft OS and hardware platform, giving you pretty much an error free experience.

The announcement that I would like to see is Microsoft computers. Like their version of an iMac, Macbook, Mac Pro. All Microsoft hardware and software. The experience might be a much better experience than what you get now from HP, Sony, Dell, Gateway PCs for example. I don't think I would ever buy one, but I would like to see similar operating system success to what they have done with the Xbox.

The next Xbox could very well be a PC with a version of Windows 8. (Xbox 8 rumored name.)

[Abdou23]

I don't think it's going to be the Nextbox.Only few hours away to be disappointed.

[sainraja]

Yeah, if it really was the next box we would've seen it last week when the world was watching

Microsoft will most likely announce their next console at an event on television, like they did with the first and second Xbox (it was on MTV -- not E3.)

[Sularus]

Hopefully a release date announcement for Visual Studio 2012.

[Dave-The-Rave]

Kinectimals 2: This time its personal.

[Nitey]

That AAAA title, with any hope

[Soldier 95B]

I hope it's a CORE surprise

[Yungstar 2006]

base the "major" announcement on who they have invited...

if its tech jurno's, windows etc.
if it's gaming jurno's, price drop 360 to new hardware etc...

[snooper71]

WinPad reveal built by newly acquired RIM!!! MS enters the grand public tablet market and keeps the playbook alive for more business orientated public.

[J3ff3]

I hope it's a CORE surprise

no doubt it will be regardless

[D3seeker]

A WinMo tablet and smartphone to go toe and toe with that roten apple thingy

But in all seriousness, they could have sartof taken the Nintendo route and 'set things up' ultimately at E3, though personally I just don't see a Xbox related announcement tomorrow, though what else could they be treating so big?.

[Ryunosuke]

It seems very doubtful that it has anything to do with the next Xbox and any new big 360 would have either been announced at E3, some other gaming event, Xbox labeled event(meaning we would know it was about the Xbox) or in a magazine. It seems the most likely outcome is either going to be a new Windows RT/Windows 8 tablet and/or smartphone or a partnership with Barnes & Noble for a ebook/tablet(Windows RT/Windows 8 ) with Xbox Live streaming.

[The Sith]

http://www.shifted2u.com/shifted/ind...ing&Itemid=138

Not sure what purpose it will serve but this is overkill with SmartGlass and windows 8 tablets being on the market.
After reading the specs this will be a 3d tablet to compete with the upcoming Apple 3d IPad .


http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/...issurface.aspx