Though Microsoft had introduced the unique Floor (working the brand new Home windows RT OS) ten years in the past in the present day, the machine didn’t ship till October 26, 2012, and that was additionally the identical evening Home windows 8 was launched.
For the primary time since earlier Xbox launches and even the discharge of Home windows 95, Microsoft had a giant midnight launch for Floor and Home windows 8 proper in bustling midtown Manhattan.
On the time, I used to be residing close by. Though Microsoft wasn’t speaking to our web site formally, I went down like some other fan within the firm’s supposed reply to the iPad. I grabbed my digicam, hopped on a prepare, and waited in line like everybody else.
The queue for the Microsoft Retailer was lengthy, however fortunately the climate was cooperative and never too chilly. The shop allowed the group to enter at midnight and see Microsoft Floor in particular person. In the event that they needed, they might purchase it and the Contact Cowl on the spot; many did.
On that evening, Microsoft and Floor had been the celebrities of the present. The shop crammed up, and the one who led the event of Floor was there in particular person — Panos Panay. Not solely was he there to personally oversee the launch, however he spoke with prospects, confirmed off the {hardware}, and, sure, even autographed some {hardware} and bins.
Like many there, I grabbed a Floor RT and a cyan Contact Cowl. Cyan was fashionable on the time as a result of Nokia Lumia 800 being launched one 12 months earlier and the newer Lumia 900 in March.
It was a snapping combo that I adored.
2012 was the time earlier than web site preorders, so Microsoft had numerous Surfaces in inventory. Certainly, it infamously had too many obtainable. It might rear its ugly head when the corporate introduced a large $900 million write-down 9 months later resulting from not promoting sufficient Floor RTs.
Regardless of the general public setback, Microsoft continued with Floor launching the Floor 2 (RT) and Floor Professional 2 one 12 months later. And the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past.
However for us who had been there, it was an thrilling and memorable evening and certain the one time we’ll see one other midnight launch for Microsoft {hardware}.
