Microsoft released a bundle of software updates this morning for its Surface line of tablets, including support for the Power Cover, which just went on sale, and improved touchpad input.
Also out this AM is a leaked price point on WPCentral for the coming Surface 2 64GB SKU that includes LTE: $679. That’s quite a step up from $549, the normal price for a Surface 2 with that much storage. It’s not clear whether Microsoft will also release a cheaper model with less storage.
Microsoft declined to comment.
Is that $130 price delta normal? It mirrors what Apple charges for iPads that have cellular connectivity capabilities. So Microsoft is using Apple’s pricing model for its own products, which seems like a fine idea given that iPads, in case you hadn’t heard, sell pretty well.
Expect some official verbiage from Microsoft on the Surface 2 LTE version in short order. If we’re getting spy shots of the thing in its box then there are a good many in the wild, and that means they are about to launch.
Via Mary Jo Foley at ZDNEt here’s the Surface changelog, in case you wanted the full breakdown:
For the second-generation ARM-based Surface 2, Microsoft is providing the following updates:
- Surface 2 UEFI (v4.18.500) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
- System Aggregator Firmware (v1.0.48500.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
- Surface Platform Power Driver (v2.0.524.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v2.0.523.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v2.0.517.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v2.0.517.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Home Button Driver (v2.0.281.0) resolves behavior where Surface would sometimes not wake from sleep.
- Surface System Software Device (v5.0.498.0) includes stability and experience improvements.
For the first-generation Surface Pros, Microsoft is providing updates for users running both Windows 8.0 and 8.1.
On devices running 8.0, users will get these updates:
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
On Surface Pros running 8.1, users will get these updates:
- Marvell AVASTAR 350N Wireless Network Controller (v14.69.24052.168) resolves wireless network connectivity issues.
- Marvell AVASTAR Wireless Composite Device (v14.69.24052.168) improves Miracast support.
- Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth® Radio Adapter (v14.69.24052.168) updated as part of a driver package that includes the Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Marvell Wireless Composite Device. There are no Bluetooth updates in this version of the driver.
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
On second-generation Surface Pro 2s, which run Windows 8.1, Microsoft is making these firmware updates available today:
- Surface Pro UEFI (v2.04.0450) improves experience when using BitLocker so that a Surface Cover can provide PIN input.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v2.0.262.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v2.0.262.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update Device (v2.0.268.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
- Surface Cover Telemetry (v2.0.229.0) improves stability and experience for Surface Covers.
- Marvell AVASTAR 350N Wireless Network Controller (v14.69.24052.168) resolves wireless network connectivity issues.
- Marvell AVASTAR Wireless Composite Device (v14.69.24052.168) improves Miracast support.
- Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth ®Radio Adapter (v14.69.24052.168) updated as part of a driver package that includes the Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Marvell Wireless Composite Device. There are no Bluetooth updates in this version of the driver.
- Intel(R) Display Audio (v6.16.00.3135) improves Miracast support.
- Intel(R) HD Graphics Family (v10.18.10.3431) improves Miracast support and enables daisy chaining of monitors using DisplayPort 1.2.
- Intel WiDi Audio Device (v4.5.44.0) improves Miracast support.
Top Image Credit: WPCentral.