FILE- In this Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, file photo, attendees at the National Retail Federation visit a Microsoft display in New York. Microsoft Corp. said Monday, June 18, 2012, it will make a "major" announcement after the market closes on Monday. Speculation has ranged from an unveiling of a new tablet computer that uses low-power chips to a new system that will use an upcoming version of Windows to (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
June 18, 2012 - 2:41 PM
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Microsoft is expected to make a "major" announcement today.
Speculation about the Los Angeles media event is that the company plans to unveil either a tablet computer or a system that uses an upcoming version of Windows to help people access TV shows and movies across a range of devices.
A Microsoft-branded tablet wouldn't come as a complete surprise.
In April, Microsoft announced a US$300 million, 17.6 per cent stake in Barnes & Noble's Nook e-book business.
Microsoft Corp.'s next operating system, Windows 8, is designed to run desktop, laptop and tablet computers.
PC makers are hoping it offers them a better chance to compete with Apple Inc.'s iPad. Windows 8 is expected to be released in September or October, in time for devices that ship for the holiday season.
"This will be a major Microsoft announcement — you will not want to miss it," the company said in an email invite to the media on Thursday. A company spokesman declined to comment further.
The event, set to start at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, is being kept under such tight wraps that the company has declined to provide its location until Monday.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012