OpenAI Hires Former Meta and Apple AI Leader Ruomin Pang Amid Intensifying AI Talent War 
OpenAI Faces Scrutiny After Banning ChatGPT Account of Tumbler Ridge Shooting Suspect 
Australia Targets AI Platforms With Strict Age Verification Rules 
Amazon’s $50B OpenAI Investment Tied to AGI Milestone and IPO Plans 
Nvidia to Launch New AI Inference Processor to Boost OpenAI Performance 
Coupang Reports Q4 Loss After Data Breach, Revenue Misses Estimates 
Synopsys Q2 Revenue Forecast Misses Expectations Amid China Export Curbs and AI Shift 
Anthropic Resists Pentagon Pressure Over Military AI Restrictions 
AWS Data Center in UAE Hit by Fire After Objects Strike Facility Amid Regional Tensions 
Meta Signs Multi-Billion Dollar AI Chip Deal With Google to Power Next-Gen AI Models 
Snowflake Forecasts Strong Fiscal 2027 Revenue Growth as Enterprise AI Demand Surges 
Hyundai Motor Plans Multibillion-Dollar Investment in Robotics, AI and Hydrogen in South Korea 
OpenAI and U.S. Defense Department Update Agreement to Clarify AI Usage Terms 
Hyundai Motor Group to Invest $6.26 Billion in AI Data Center, Robotics and Renewable Energy Projects in South Korea 
OpenAI Secures $110 Billion Funding Round at $840 Billion Valuation Ahead of IPO 
One of Microsoft's huge announcements as the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) started on Monday is the refreshed 2-in-1 tablet computer Surface Pro 7+. The device designed to appeal to various types of businesses will arrive in stores this week. Meanwhile, there is still hope that the highly anticipated Surface Pro 8 would be launched within the year.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 release date: Is it still in the works?
A new Surface Pro device had been mentioned in several reports over the last few months. Many reliable sources were almost certain that they pertain to the Surface Pro 8. It was then a little surprising when Microsoft instead announced the Surface Pro 7+ this week.
Unfortunately, Microsoft did not provide any definitive indication that another Surface Pro device is slated to launch in 2021. Some sources still hope that the Surface Pro 8 could still be in the pipeline. Tech reporter and notable leaker Roland Quandt raised a good question. Since the Surface Pro 7+ is heavily advertised for business use, where is the new Surface Pro for the everyday consumer? The question might not be answered anytime soon. However, there are reports suggesting that the Surface Pro 8 could be planned for fall release later this year.
Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 7+ for business and education markets
As the name suggests, the Surface Pro 7+ features a few upgrades from Surface Pro 7, released in October 2019. Since the new tablet computer is aimed at business and education markets, Microsoft highlights its improvements in portability, productivity, and battery life.
One of the critical improvements in the Surface Pro 7+ lineup is the addition of variants that support LTE Advanced and Wi-Fi connection. Microsoft has also upgraded chips using only the 11th-generation of Intel Core processors.
Microsoft has also highlighted the battery improvement in Surface Pro 7+, which the company says can last up to 15 hours. This is a huge increase compared to its predecessor, which some hands-on reviews said barely reached eight hours of battery life.
Since virtual meetings have become an inevitable part of business and education over the last year, the Surface Pro 7+ has been equipped with front and rear cameras. The tablet computer is designed to capture 1080p full HD videos and equipped with Dolby Atmos speakers and "dual far-field Studio Microphones." In terms of portability, the Surface Pro 7+ is 23% lighter than its predecessors.
Surface Pro 7+ with just the Wi-Fi connectivity starts at $899 while opting for the models with LTE Advanced support will cost at least $1,149. Microsoft's latest 2-in-1 tablet computer can now be ordered "in select markets across Asia, Europe, and North America," with deliveries expected to start before the end of the week.
