Microsoft has two days of big news planned for next week that could include a look at Windows RT tablets and Windows Phone 8.
On Monday, 18th June 2012, Microsoft will host a media event in Los Angeles, California, but the company hasn't provided any other details.
An invitation, received by various news outlets, says to expect “a major Microsoft announcement.”
Speculation is already rampant about what the news will be.
Sources outside Microsoft claim that the company will demonstrate tablets that run Windows RT, a special version of Windows 8 for ARM-based processors.
Although some hardware makers have already announced Windows RT tablets, Microsoft has not yet allowed any hands-on time.
That could change next week.
Other sources, meanwhile, wonder whether Microsoft will talk about its Xbox Music service. Microsoft announced Xbox Music at its E3 press conference last week, but didn't get into specifics.
Los Angeles is an entertainment hub, so the venue makes sense especially if any record companies will be involved in the announcement.
But this mystery press conference isn't the only event Microsoft has planned for next week.
On Wednesday, 20th June, the company will host a Windows Phone Summit, where it will provide a “sneak peek of the future of Windows Phone.”
Leaked details from February suggest that Microsoft will use the Windows 8 codebase for the next version of Windows Phone, possibly allowing cross-platform apps.
Windows Phone 8, or “Apollo,” may also allow for dual-core processors and a wide range of screen resolutions.
June is turning out to be a pretty big month for tech titans, between Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on 11th June, Microsoft's announcements, and the Google IO conference on 27th - 29th June.
By the end of the month, we should have a good idea of how the Operating System wars will play out over the rest of the year and beyond.
Source: PCWorld

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