Microsoft makes official the second Surface iteration as it announces a pair of Windows tablet additions-- the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, both promising "significant" updates on processors, batteries and displays.

The Surface 2 is technically a sequel to the Surface RT, the ARM-powered sibling to the first Surface. It features an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, higher resolution (1920x1080) ClearType display, USB 3.0 port and either 32 or 64GB of storage inside a thinner (8.9mm) and lighter (676g) silver magnesium body.

The Windows version of choice is the 8.1 update on Win RT.

Meanwhile the Surface Pro 2 is the Windows 8.1 Pro option powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Haswell Core i5 processor. It retains the 10.6-inch 1920x1080 display of the original, together with 4 USB ports, mini DisplayPort and Ethernet ports, and a battery promising a 75% boost in longevity.

The company formerly known as RIM quietly launches the biggest BlackBerry handset yet-- the Z30, with a 5-inch 1280x720 295ppi Super AMOLED display.

It carries a dual-core 1.7GHz processor with quad-core graphics, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, a 2880mAh battery (one the company promises powers up to 25 hours of continuous "mixed use"), "Natural Sound" stereo speakers and wifi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.

The cameras are similar to those seen in the Z10, being 2MP front-facing and 8MP rear-facing with an f2.2 lens.

The European Commission announces what it describes as its most ambitious plan in 26 years of telelcoms market reform-- one involving the reduction of consumer charges, simplification of red tape and new rights for users and service providers. 

"Further substantial progress towards a European single market for telecoms is essential for Europe's strategic interests and economic progress," EC president Jose Manuel Barroso says. "For the telecoms sector itself and for citizens who are frustrated that they do not have full and fair access to Internet and mobile services."

The so called "Connected Europe" plan involves the scrapping of roaming fees, building on the roaming cap the EC introduced on 2012. If all goes to plan, from 1 July 2014 companies will have to either offer phone plans that apply everywhere within the 28 EU states ("roam like at home") or allow customers to opt for a separate roaming provider without need for a new SIM card.  Read more...

"You're invited" a Microsoft media invite in the shape of a Surface tablet says, followed by the 23 September 2013 date-- leaving little doubt the Windows maker has a tablet-themed event in store.

Most probably the event involves launch of a Surface Pro and Surface RT tablet refresh.

According to Neowin the Surface 2 will feature a Haswell-based Core i5 CPU together with 8GB RAM and a "refined" kickstand of some kind, while the Surface RT 2 carries a Tegra 4 CPU, 4GB RAM, 1920x1080 display and a two-step kickstand.

The Verge confirms the two-step kickstand rumours, as well as the specification talk. It also says Windows 8.1 is the OS on both tablets, with the Surface RT dropping the "RT" part of the name (leading to a possibly even more confusing Microsoft tablet situation).