Microsoft: Surface Windows 8 Pro launching on Feb. 9, pricing starts at $899 for 64GB model

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Microsoft has let loose a whole mess of Surface news this morning, including specific retail availability information for its Surface Windows 8 Pro model. The Redmond firm today revealed that the Intel Core i5-powered Surface Windows 8 Pro will launch on Feb. 9 (a tad later than its previous estimate) at Microsoft's retail stores and its Surface website as well as Best Buy and Staples locations. The Surface Windows 8 Pro will be available in either with 64GB of storage for $899 or 128GB of memory for $999, and both versions will include a Surface pen stylus.

The Surface Windows 8 Pro differs from its Surface Windows RT sibling in that while the RT model can only run apps from the Windows Store, the Windows 8 Pro unit runs straight up Windows 8 (as the name implies) and can also run Windows 7 desktop apps. The Surface Windows 8 Pro features a 10.6-inch 1920x1080 touchscreen and a camera on its face, along with a second camera around back. Buried inside its VaporMg casing is an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB or 128GB storage, USB 3.0 port and a microSDXC card slot.

While the Surface Windows 8 Pro is quite a bit pricier than the Surface Windows RT, the fact that it includes an Intel Core i5 processor and can run Windows 7 desktop apps means that it's a more viable laptop replacement than the the RT model. Of course, the opinion on whether or not the Surface Windows 8 Pro and a keyboard cover could actually replace a laptop in daily use will vary from person to person. The good news is that anyone interested in finding that out first-hand will be able to do so in just a couple of weeks.

Next up, Microsoft revealed that it also plans to offer a standalone 64GB version of the ARM-powered Surface Windows RT device. The company currently offers the 64GB slate on its website in a bundle with a black Touch Cover for $699, but this new version will come with just the Surface Windows RT tablet and a price tag of $599, giving customers the ability to pick up the larger Surface Windows RT model and select the keyboard cover of their choosing.

Also unveiled today is a set of some Surface accessories. A limited edition set of Touch Cover models will be offered in red, magenta or cyan, each with a special design printed on them. Those covers will be priced at $129.99 each. Microsoft also introduced a Surface Edition Wedge Touch Mouse for $69.95. Microsoft's full announcement for all of its new products can be found right here. Would you consider opening your wallet for any of the products detailed today by Microsoft?

Via Microsoft

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Alex is the Senior News Editor for PhoneDog. He digs mobile tech and just about every other kind of tech, too. He's also into cooking, sports, his two cats and drinking lots of coffee. - full profile

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Take Photos Like a Top Model with Smize Yourself! on iOS

New York, New York – Get a lesson in taking the fiercest photos from fashion, beauty, and business icon Tyra Banks with the immediate release of Smize Yourself! 1.01 on iOS. Invented by the model mogul, smizing (smiling with your eyes) is the key to looking like the industry’s top models when photographed. Smize Yourself! teaches users how to smize with personal lessons and encouragement straight from Tyra. The app then allows users to push their smize to the next level by enhancing their look using the latest facial morphing technology, producing a super fun and ultra fierce exaggerated smize. With voice over narration and instructions from the original smizing expert, Tyra Banks, point, pose, and push any picture to a whole new level of fabulous with a single swipe.

Featuring a sassy video tutorial starring Tyra, Smize Yourself! gives users a 3 step guide for taking photos like the world’s top models by focusing directly on the emotion communicated through one’s eyes. Individuals then use their smartphone’s camera to position their face within the app’s outline, snap a photo of themselves while smizing, and adjust the markers on their eyes and mouth. Employing Tyra’s own smizing technology, the app identifies key facial features and lets users adjust the level of smize on their photo from subtle to exaggerated with one simple swipe. Users can practice their smizing by referencing a portfolio of their saved images with the Smize Yourself! photo album and share their best shots with friends via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

“Smize Yourself! is an exciting new product that I am beyond thrilled to release,” states Tyra Banks, iconic Supermodel and Chairman/CEO of The Tyra Banks Company. “While photographers once said ‘Cheese’ before snapping a shot, they now say ‘SMIZE’. I hope everyone will enjoy the app because it takes smizing to the next level!”

For more information, please follow Tyra Banks on Twitter or visit her on Facebook.

Feature Highlights:
* Personal video tutorial, instructions, and voice-overs straight from smizing expert Tyra Banks
* Listen to Tyra encourage users by cheering for them as they perfect their smize
* Single swipe morphing technology lets users increase and decrease the amount of their photo’s smize in real-time
* Photo album feature collects a portfolio of saved images for individuals to review and improve their smize
* Social integration allows users to share their best smizing photos via Facebook, Twitter, and Email
* History of smizing and fun explanation of what the word really means

Device Requirements:
* iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and iPad
* Requires iOS 5.1 or later
* Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
* 60.3 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Smize Yourself! 1.01 is $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photo & Video category.

The Tyra Banks Company, Inc. is an entertainment, lifestyle, beauty and fashion company based in New York City. The company supports Tyra Banks branded ventures and specializes in media production, marketing, business development, digital media, social and mobile media and development, public relations and philanthropy. Copyright (C) 2012 Tyra Banks Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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