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Microsoft announces its smallest and most affordable Surface yet

Portable and affordable

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Image credit: Microsoft

Microsoft has just announced new hardware under its Surface line of devices. As you know, Surface tablets, laptops, and desktops are on the premium side, but the new Surface Go is shifting gears by being the most affordable of the bunch — and also the smallest.

The Surface Go from Microsoft is a full-blown Windows 10 tablet aimed at schools, kids, and even the enterprise market. It’s been three years since the last non-Pro Surface tablet, so the introduction of the Surface Go comes at a bit of a surprise for us.

Image credit: Microsoft

The smallest Surface tablet has a 10-inch PixelSense touch display with a resolution of 1800 x 1200, 3:2 aspect ratio, and pen support. It’s powered by a seventh-generation Intel Pentium Gold processor (haven’t heard about Pentium in a long time) with up to 8GB of memory and up to 256GB of storage.

The tablet itself has a single USB-C port for 4K video out and data, microSD card reader, a proprietary Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack. It also has an 8-megapixel rear shooter and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with support for Windows Hello.

The body of the tablet is still made of magnesium and is designed like other Surface tablets, including the adjustable kickstand. It also has front-facing stereo speakers and Dolby Audio. The tablet’s battery is rated to last for nine hours on a single charge.

The new Surface Go will be available in early August 2018 starting at just US$ 399 for the tablet and US$ 99 for the detachable keyboard. It’s now available for pre-order in North America, Europe, and Australia, while Asia will follow suit in the coming weeks. An LTE model will arrive later this year.

Microsoft’s new tablet practically battles Apple’s newest and cheapest iPad, and it’s definitely more affordable than any of the iPad Pro tablets. Compared to the iPads though, the Surface Go runs a full version of Windows 10 (in S-mode) and not just a mobile operating system.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Windows April 2018 patch adds Timeline, Focus Assist

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

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Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years

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Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices

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Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Dayjust a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.

The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.

In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.

Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.

The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.

The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.

Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked

Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.

Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.

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Apps

iOS 27 public beta gives us our first taste of Siri AI

You can access the beta for free.

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Normally, public betas come and go with nary a peep from anyone but dedicated fans and testers. After all, why care about a beta when the final release is likely just around the corner? This one, however, is special. Today, Apple launched the iOS 27 public beta, and it’s our first taste of the redesigned Siri AI.

Recently, WWDC 2026 unveiled Apple’s latest attempts at entering the AI segment. Whereas previous iterations to incorporate AI failed to make an impact, Siri AI promises to provide users with helpful feedback that’s actually helpful.

Now, in the public beta for iOS 27, users all over can finally access the new assistant. To get to the beta, you need to be a part of the beta program, which you can easily sign up for on beta.apple.com. Once signed up, you can get the update from Software Update in Settings. You’ll see options for a developer beta and a public beta. Choose iOS 27 Public Beta.

At face value, Siri AI offers much of what you’d get from a traditional AI-powered assistant. However, it does slightly differ because it integrates the entire phone. The assistant contextualizes your information (including emails, messages, and photos) to give you the most accurate feedback that you might need.

If that’s not enough, Siri AI also has its own chatbot app. If you’re more used to ChatGPT, the assistant should give you that bit of familiarity.

Now, if you don’t want to go for a beta, Apple is expected to launch iOS 27 in its final form sometime in September.

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