Today, Microsoft held a three hour Windows 8 event in New York City, but failed to say much of anything we didn’t already know… but it did unveil one of the most expensive skateboards ever made. After demonstrating the durability of the Surface tablet by dropping it on stage (onto carpeted floor, might we add), Microsoft’s Panos Panay showed us another way he and Windows 8 chief Steven Sinofsky have been testing the durability of the new magnesium-encased tablet. The team pasted skateboard trucks onto a regular Surface and converted it into a skateboard. A skateboard! Though they didn’t do any kickflips or ollies on stage, we did see a picture of Sinofsky sporting a massive helmet standing on the homemade sports equipment. For some reason, it didn’t seem too crazy that tablets can become laptops, and since laptops have learned Yoga, why can’t a Surface become a deck?
No, you can’t buy a Surface skateboard, but we wish you could. It could be one hell of an optional accessory. Maybe the trucks could attach with industrial grade magnets like the TouchCover. And you don’t have to worry about falling after a tough grind either. The Surface can hit the ground in 72 different ways without breaking, or so we learned today. Actually, after three hours of Microsoft press conferences, this might have been the only thing we actually learned. But… skateboard! That’s hip, right?
Somebody should call Tony Hawk. He may have found the next great way to make a skateboarding game.
(GIF credit: @strngwys)
Update: Clarified that that this took place at a New York press event.
Check out our review of the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet.
Man, Panos drops that Surface like Michael Corleone ditched the gun in The Godfather after killing that police captain. Just meh — but will balls.
I wish I could get back the 30 seconds of my life I spent reading this article.
We wish we could take back the 3 hours Windows spent with their “announcements” that lead to this being the few newsworthy things.
That’s harsh. What did you expect when you clicked? Did I not deliver a Microsoft Surface skateboard?
I expected Tony Hawk doing 1080 misty flips 40 feet above the audience.
No, actually I guess the sarcastic overtone was kind of confusing for a Digital Trends article. I first had to check and make sure I wasn’t reading the Onion. After I verified I was in fact still on Digital Trends, I left wondering what *actually* happened at this announcement. Nothing, I guess?
We wrote up one other news story about it earlier (http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/windows-8-improves-battery-life-and-speed/). Unfortunately, Microsoft held a 3+ hour event, but pretty much just rehashed everything we already know about Windows 8 and the Surface. If you do want to learn more about them or follow our Windows 8 coverage, check out this feed: http://www.digitaltrends.com/topic/windows-8/
Also, we do try to have fun here and there! Apologies for the mislead.
*Insert Yo dog, Skateboard joke here*