14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced that it would bring the Surface RT into more stores across the world, thus trying to expand international availability of the tablet that's a lot less successful than it hoped to be.
But Jack Gold, principal analyst for J. Gold Associates, believes that Microsoft is not doing the right thing when it tries to become so aggressive with the Surface RT, as Windows RT partners might not be very happy to see the tech giant investing so much money into its own device.
"They are hoping that opening the channel wider will mean higher volumes, and perhaps less need, or even no need for further price cuts. However, I'm not sure that simply widening the channel will help sell that many more units," Gold was quoted as saying by ITProPortal.
"And this move can't make the OEMs trying to sell Windows tablets very happy. Of course, there are virtually no OEMs selling RT anymore, so it's really about how aggressive Microsoft will compete against the OEMs with Windows Pro systems on the market."
Microsoft, on the other hand, is already paving the way for the second-generation Surface tablet which, according to sources familiar with the matter, is on track to be released by the end of the year.
The company has already confirmed updates for both the Surface RT and the Pro, but no other specifics have been provided.
Rumor has it that Microsoft is planning not only to greatly improve performance of its tablets, but also to add new form factors to its lineup, including an 8-inch device to fight with the likes of iPad mini.
At the same time, the Softies are looking into a more affordable unit priced at about $250 (€210) that could give it a major advantage in the race against the other tablets currently on the market.