Tech reveals to look for in the coming months | Bangkok Post: tech

During the first week of September, techies will head to IFA and IBC, and new products from Microsoft (Windows 8, Surface), Apple (iPhone 5, mini iPad?) and Amazon (Kindle Fire 2?) are expected to follow. The lead-up to Christmas season will then bring its usual flurry of new products.

European reveals

Microsoft's Surface is expected to launch in October.

Berlin's answer to the CES  -- IFA -- will be held in the German capital from Aug 31 to Sept 5 to shed light on all sorts of new devices and technologies. In 2011, Samsung impressed everyone with its presentation of the Galaxy Note, which bridged the gap between smartphones and tablets, while Sony revealed its first tablets and  David Guetta his Beats mixr headphones for wannabe DJs. Samsung has already announced that it will be revealing a device at a press conference on Aug 29, one of two media days. Tech insiders anticipate an upgraded version of the Galaxy Note.

Just after the IFA, techies will head to Amsterdam for IBC, from Sept 6-11, for another round of demos from tech companies specialized in multimedia solutions.

Nokia World will be held in Helsinki on Sept 5-6, a great opportunity for the phone company to reveal its latest models. Last year, Nokia used the event as a launch pad for the Lumia 800 and its low-cost line Asha.

Windows 8 launch Oct 26

Tech headlines in October should be dominated by Microsoft with the launch of Windows 8 to the public on Oct 26 and its first tablet, named Surface. The new Windows, boasting a brand new design, will be available in 109 languages and will be compatible with the latest generation of PCs, smartphones and tablets. Microsoft sees this update of its operating system as the most pivotal one since the launch of Windows 95. The new OS will also get an updated version of the Office suite, Office 365 Open. MSDN users and Microsoft Action Pack subscribers will be able to get their hands on it earlier, some from Aug 15 through September.

Microsoft will also take advantage of the ongoing media coverage to launch its first tablet, Surface, revealed in June. The device bridges the gap between smartphones and tablets, and includes a protective case that doubles as a touch-sensitive keyboard. It will be sold with Windows 8 RT (Microsoft operating system for tablets) and Windows 8 Pro.

Waiting for the new iPhone

Apple is currently staying mum about the flurry of announcements expected in the upcoming months, but you can expect a new version of the iPhone, and even a 7-inch mini iPad to rival Amazon's Kindle Fire. Bloggers and analysts expect a major announcement from the company on Sept 12.

Which brings us to Amazon's own announcements, with an expected update to the Kindle Fire, launched a year ago. Its new version should be slimmer and lighter, with improved screen definition.

Other 7-inch tablets will join Amazon's best-seller: Google's Nexus 7, which is already available in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, could be headed to continental Europe.

During the weeks before Christmas, techies can expect the usual flurry of announcements from companies around the world who will be eager to ship their new tablets, smartphones and ultrabooks to Santa.

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