Solving the Mystery of Microsoft's Super-Secret Event

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Time to figure out all the possible things that could happen at Monday's mysterious Microsoft event. Microsoft has confirmed very few facts. But if we put on our sleuthing hats we can make some educated guesses of what to expect. Here we go.

The Facts

Who: Microsoft. Duh. 

Where: The event will take place in Los Angeles on Monday, June 18th, Microsoft confirmed to AllThingsD's Ina Fried. The Verge got invited, too, noting that Microsoft has another event later that week in the more logical San Francisco. 

When: "You are invited to an exclusive Microsoft media event in Los Angeles, California on Monday, June 18th.  Doors open at 3:30 PM," reads the invite via ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. 

What: Microsoft will not confirm a thing.

Why: It will announce something "major."

Let's Sleuth!

Who: Still Microsoft.

Where: This Los Angeles venue is kind of a weird place for a product reveal, right? We're used to seeing stuff happen in the usual tech hubs, San Francisco and New York. However, it might have something to do with the type of device we will see. Los Angeles is the entertainment capital, so Foley suggests we might see a tablet geared to watching movies and TV shows and other Hollywood exports. "If such a 'reader' were more akin to the Kindle Fire than to an iPad, a Los Angeles launch might make sense," she writes. "A Kindle Fire is an entertainment/consumption device. It is great for movie watching and music listening (hello, LA!) It also lets you read books (hello, Barnes & Noble)."

When: Still Monday. Though, it is curious that Microsoft made the announcement with such short notice. We knew about both Apple and Google's big June events at least a week in advance. 

What: This "something major" probably has to do with the Windows tablet, since Microsoft has been talking up its new operating system, Windows 8, which in addition to PCs will run its ARM technology on tablets. Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky first mentioned these ARM machines at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. With Windows 8 set to come out sometime this fall, wouldn't now be a good time for the big reveal? Plus, that's what the whisperers are saying we should expect. "[Microsoft] is expected to show devices running the software as well as highlight some of the kinds of programs and services that will run on the products," wrote Fried, citing "sources outside of the company."  

Why: To get up to speed with the competition. Though, which competition is up for debate. Foley thinks Microsoft will release a Kindle competitor. However, The Wrap, has sources citing Apple. "An individual with knowledge of the company said that Microsoft would introduce a Microsoft-manufactured tablet at the event, marking a foray into a new hardware category that would put the company in direct competition with giant rival Apple," write The Wrap's By Sharon Waxman & Alexander C. Kaufman.

Mystery Solved?

We won't know for sure until Monday, but it looks likely Microsoft will announce a tablet running Windows 8 on Monday. Microsoft has not yet succeeded in launching its own tablet. And it now has a lot of competition. But, from the way people got all giddy over Windows 8, talking it up as an iPad killer last fall, maybe this is something to get excited about. 

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.