Rumor: first Windows 8 tablet will be unveiled next week

By Jeffrey Van Camp September 8, 2011

windows-8 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Windows 8 may not be so far out after all. According to the AFP, which cites the Korea Economic Daily, Microsoft is working on a Windows 8 tablet with Samsung. More interesting, it may be unveiled at Mirosoft’s BUILD conference in California, which runs Sept. 13-16. ThisIsMyNext claims that the tablet may be given away to attendees at the conference and run on Nvidia‘s upcoming Kal-El quad-core processor.

The move makes sense for Samsung, which is facing stiff tablet and smartphone pressure from other Android manufacturers as well as a myriad of lawsuits from Apple, which claims that many Samsung products steal its technology and design. Google’s pending purchase of Motorola is also cause for concern for the manufacturer. Motorola products could have an edge in the market, going forward.

What doesn’t make sense is how early this device is coming. Microsoft executives, and most analysts, have pegged the release of Windows 8 around June – Nov. of 2012. Many expected Microsoft to release a beta of the OS at BUILD next week, but not a full-fledged device. Will this device simply be a beta product?

In recent days, we’ve expressed doubts about the direction of Windows 8, which is looking more and more like two disparate operating systems glued together rather than one seamless experience. We hope to be proven wrong and look forward to learning more about Windows 8 at the BUILD conference next week.

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Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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