With Google's Nexus 7 rising, Microsoft needs to 'Surface'

Microsoft Surface.

(Credit: Microsoft)

It's probably an understatement to say that Microsoft is in a hurry to release Windows 8 and the Surface tablets that run on top of it.

Enough of a hurry that Redmond, on Wednesday, needed to make sure you knew that Windows 8 will arrive by October 26.

I'm guessing the Surface products won't be too far behind.

With Google Nexus 7 on the rise, Microsoft wants to (let's call it a hunch) get in the game before consumers begin focusing too much attention on Android.

Android, you know, the OS that seemed to stuck in neutral on tablets.

Until the $199 Nexus 7 arrived. Now, apparently, Google can't make enough of them.

The big question is how many Nexus 7 tablets will Google sell over the coming months.

(Credit: Google)

That's only going to whet consumers' appetites. Instant cachet like this is priceless. It's what every vendor (Motorola comes to mind) dreams of. The kind of cachet that has been reserved for Apple's iPad.

Yes, Surface is a different creature. It has a 10.6-inch screen and the Windo... [Read more]