A Fool Looks Back

Rick Munarriz, The Motley Fool
Updated

Microsoft isn't selling too many of the Windows RT-fueled Surface tablets, so it's doing what so many others have done after failing to make a dent in the iPad market: Mr. Softy's discounting its stuff.

On Friday, Microsoft began offering free touch-keyboard covers -- a $119 value -- with every Surface RT purchase. That's a good deal for anyone wanting an RT, especially since the magnetically attaching keyboards have been a major part of the slick marketing campaign for Microsoft's original tablet. However, a steep price discount, if not a discontinuation of the model entirely, is probably not too far away.

Microsoft missed with its originally overpriced tablet, which runs on a new operating system that isn't compatible with earlier Windows applications. The software giant eventually got it right with the higher-priced Surface that runs Windows 8.


It's a mystery why Microsoft would be doing this, unless it's part of a drawn-out fire sale.

Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  • OmniVision investors are seeing the big picture. Shares of the image sensor maker moved higher after posting better-than-expected quarterly results. Revenue soared 54%, and OmniVision's profit of $0.31 a share blew away the $0.21 analysts were targeting.

  • Nokia is no longer the leading smartphone seller in Finland. Tech tracker IDC reports that Samsung outsold Nokia in its home country this past quarter. So much for the hometown hero.

  • Vringo got another tech giant to pay up, but it won't be much. The company announced a patent-infringement settlement with Mr. Softy in which Vringo will receive $1 million and enter into a licensing deal with the world's largest software company.

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The article A Fool Looks Back originally appeared on Fool.com.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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