Last year at the Game Developer Conference, Google gave away Xoom tablets and Cr-48 laptops to developers. It seemed like a good idea back then as nobody complained but was it worth it?
We may never know the outcome of that effort but Microsoft is doing the same. Actually, it has done the same two years ago when it gave away Windows Phone 7 units to Microsoft employees. This year, employees of the software giant–about 90,000 of them– will be receiving Surface for Windows RT tablets and Windows Phone 8 phones. One tablet and one phone for each employee. Later on, new touch Windows 8 computers are expected to be given too.
These Microsoft products could come with two-year contracts but if I were an employee, I wouldn’t mind. This step only makes sense as it helps the employees to familiarize themselves with their own products. Hopefully, they’d be able to share their experience of the products and boost sales for the company.
