Microsoft is finally clarifying its reasoning and motives for taking down the Windows 8.1 update for Windows RT users, and according to the company, the issues are specific to its Surface RT tablet.

In a statement sent to ZDNets Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft says that the issue that forced it to remove Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store on devices running Windows RT, are specific to its Surface RT tablet.

However, the update will remain unavailable for Windows RT users while it investigates. Windows RT also runs on a variety of tablets and hybrid tablet/notebook devices from Dell, Lenovo and others.

Samsung's Galaxy S4 is still king of the market.

(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET)

Samsung's Galaxy S4 has seen better sales but was still on top of the smartphone crop in August.

Galaxy S4 sales worldwide fell to 5 million in August after reaching a peak of 7 million in June, CounterPoint Research said Wednesday. Sales were lower than expected. But thanks to its entire Galaxy lineup, Samsung was the only mobile phone maker to show month-to-month growth in August, traditionally a slow sales month.

In second place among the 10 best sellers was the 16GB iPhone 5, followed by its 32GB counterpart. Nokia's Asha 501 ranked third, according to CounterPoint. Samsung's Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S4 Mini took the next several spots. The Nokia Asha 205 and Nokia 105 rounded out the top 10 list.

How did Nokia's Asha phones pop up the list? CounterPoint Research Director Peter Richardson told CNET that the Nokia brand is strong across a variety of emerging and fast-growing markets, such as India, which accounts for a lot of the global sales.

"The Asha products are undoubtedly under pressure from low-cost Android devices -- especially from local branded players -- and this pressure will continue to mount as the price of Android products falls further," Richardson added. "But Nokia has been fighting a strong rear-guard action by marketing aggressively through the August period. Furthermore, Nokia took steps to correct some inventory that built in late 2Q and early 3Q. Due to the inventory issues, we're not expecting Nokia's sell-in to be notably strong -- more likely flattish over 2Q13. However Nokia's ultra-low-cost products such as the Nokia 105 offer good value and will likely continue to perform strongly."

Sales of the Galaxy S4 could pick up based on holiday-season pricing, CounterPoint said. But the research firm now expects Samsung to sell 80 percent more S4 units than S3 handsets from initial launch to end of year, down from its prior forecast of 100 percent or more.

Smartphones priced at $400 or higher are showing signs of slower growth, the firm said, as most of the sales in that range are replacement devices for existing users. But the overall smartphone market is still rising at around 40 to 50 percent each year, buoyed by sales of phones below $200.

CounterPoint's data is derived from its monthly Market Pulse report, which analyzes the smartphone and mobile device market. Specifically, the firm regularly surveys a wide range of global distributors to determine how devices are selling. That information is checked against reports from device manufacturers and other sources.

Update, 9:35 a.m. PT: Adds more information from CounterPoint.

Nearly a year to date that it began selling its own brand of Windows devices, Microsoft is set to launch the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2.

While the road to updated versions of the Surface RT and Surface Pro has been relatively short, it hasnt been without its triumphs and struggles. Many of those events are reflecting in Microsofts tweaked approach for this years Surface devices.

Here are the things ever buyer needs to know before purchasing a Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2.

Read: Why Is Microsoft Tackling Apple Head On With Surface 2 Release Date?

If you can, go to the Microsoft Store

Users are going to get the best experience by making their purchase at a Microsoft Store. Microsoft Stores will have their own special midnight launch event complete with trivia questions and giveaways. These stores are also likely to have more Surface Touch Cover and Type Cover accessories in different colors. Unfortunately, not all Microsoft Store locations will reopen at 10 PM for the festivities so its best to call ahead.

Wait to make big accessory purchases

The Dock for the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 wont make it to store shelves until next year.

When Microsoft debuted the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 it also announced a Dock that will allow the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 to seamlessly transition into a desktop. It also announced a new Power Cover that will allow users to extend the battery life of their Surface device in between charges. Unfortunately, none of those accessories will be available tomorrow. Microsoft says that users can expect all three of these accessories to go on sale early next year.

Users can now purchase Microsofts Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets.

At least, they can if theyre waiting outside one of the many Microsoft Stores the company has kept open for the launch of the upgrades to last years Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets. Users who dont reside near a Microsoft Store or whose local Microsoft Store isnt opening for the launch will be able to purchase the device at Best Buy and Staples locations during normal business hours.

So far, sales of the devices seem to have fallen in-line with stock. Microsoft encouraged users looking to pick up one of the devices to pre-order before launch day, however there havent been in reports of shortages of either device.

Read: Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 Official

Like the Surface RT, the Surface 2 uses processors typically found in smartphones and tablets to provide users with a more tablet-like experience than typical Windows machines. Unfortunately, that means that users arent able to install applications outside of the Windows Store. Users cant install applications to the Desktop environment either.

The Surface 2

Will Android 4.4 launch on October 28?

(Credit:Kit Kat)

A Twitter page for Kit Kat, a Nestle candy bar and the name of Google's next mobile operating system, seems to indicate the new version of Android will be available later this month.

The Twitter page @KitKat on Tuesday posted an image of an Android logo in full Kit Kat chocolate with the title "Everybody dance now." Earlier on Wednesday, the same Twitter feed posted an image featuring Kit Kats that spell out "This is it."

At first glance, such images might not matter. However, eagle-eyed observers noticed that the first image seems to relate to the song "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C+C Music Factory. The band was originally named The 28th Street Crew. In addition, "This Is It" is a Michael Jackson movie that was released on October 28, 2009.

Those two clues have set the Web abuzz with speculation that Android 4.4 KitKat will be launching on October 28.

Rumors have been swirling around KitKat for months. Some details have leaked onto the Web, but Google has so far said only that the platform will "make an amazing Android experience available for everybody." The operating system is expected to launch in conjunction with the Nexus 5. The latest rumors suggest the platform and device will be available at the end of the month.

Late October appears to be the go-to for Google. Last year, the company announced the Nexus 4 on October 29.

(Via Pocket-lint)

Humble Bundle's latest includes six extremely good Android games -- and their desktop counterparts!

(Credit:Humble Bundle)

People who know me know I love a good game bundle, especially when it benefits charity. Everybody wins.

The Humble Bundle folks have put together one of the better collections I've seen, with a focus on Android but plenty of goodness for desktop users as well.

It's the Humble Bundle with Android 7, and it comes with six seriously good games -- not just the Android versions, but also their Windows, Mac, and Linux counterparts.

It works like this: You decide what price you want to pay for the bundle. It can be anything over $1 (the minimum required to get the Steam activation codes for the desktop versions), but if you don't match or exceed the average purchase price (currently $6.23), you'll get only the first four games:

• 2D puzzle adventure Anodyne
• Tactical real-time strategy game Greed Corp
• Visually stunning (and slightly freaky) puzzler Incredipede
• Award-winning board game Ticket to Ride (with USA 1910 bonus map)

Already you've got a killer assortment of games. Ticket to Ride is a favorite of mine, and it sells for $6.99 all by itself. (For the Android version, that is -- the desktop version would run you another $9.99.)

If you beat the average, you'll also get these two:

• Epic role-playing reboot The Bard's Tale
• Classic tactical-artillery game Worms 2: Armageddon

Needless to say, for around six bucks and change, you're getting a boatload of great games (which, incidentally, would cost you around $75 if purchased separately). You even get the soundtracks for many of them. And you get to help out Humble Bundle's favorite charities: Child's Play and Electronic Frontier Foundation. After you decide how much you're going to pay, you can choose how the money should be split between the developers, the charities, and Humble Bundle.

It's worth noting that to install the games on your Android device, you'll have to do a little hoop-jumping in the settings (enabling apps from "unknown sources") and install the Humble Bundle app, which is currently in beta. Nothing terribly complicated, but it's not quite as novice-friendly as just buying the games outright from the Play store.

So, yeah, if you skip today's Venti mocha, you can score a fantastic Android/desktop game bundle and support worthy causes at the same time. Like I said earlier: everybody wins.

Taking football to the street and volleying into the top window of 'that' annoying neighbour.