Microsoft quiet on New Zealand Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 events

Here at New Zealand PC World, we'd hoped that by now we'd be able to give you lots of information about Windows 8 - how to get a hands-on with the new OS in-store, where to find out about launch events in your area, and whether the Surface RT would launch here in New Zealand on October 26, as it will in the US.

Our sister publication, PCWorld, published just such a piece last week, entitled "Here's your Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 launch guide: Event and product highlights"

Here in New Zealand, both Microsoft and its PR representatives have been very helpful, but unable to furnish information. They know very little about a launch barely two weeks away.

Here's what we asked, and what we've been told. We'll update as we get further information.


Will we be able to buy movies and music through the Windows 8 store?

In the US, PCWorld was able to confirm that US consumers will be able to buy not just apps through the Windows 8 Store, but also music and movies, via the Xbox Movies and Xbox music services embedded within Windows 8.

We've asked both Xbox and Microsoft representatives about whether New Zealanders will be able to buy movies and music through Xbox Movies and Xbox Music, but the only answer we've received is "at this stage there’s sadly literally nothing we’re permitted to communicate".


Windows 8 launch events

We asked about what launch events for windows Microsoft has planned, and Dean Edwards, Windows client business group lead at Microsoft New Zealand, responded.

There's no information about whether or not we will see the Surface RT tablet launched here on October 26, other than a previous comment from Steve Ballmer to the effect that it would be US-only.

What we do know is that retail outlets will be selling PCs and tablets running Windows 8 from 26 October.

"We encourage consumers to visit a leading PC retailer on the 26th to check out the fantastic range of Windows 8 powered devices available, and get hands on with Windows 8," Edwards said.

Edwards also told PC World that there would be no pop-up stores, though there will be more than 30 such stores in the US and Canada, and that there is currently no information on the Surface or its availability other than than information on Surface.com.


Windows Phone 8 launch

We haven't yet heard back about our questions on Windows Phone 8 launches here - in the US, the invites were sent out for an October 29 event. We'll update once we have any information.