[moey]

Why isn't Microsoft ever transparent about the cost of their devices before release dates? In my opinion their product announcements would have much more attention and excitement if they gave a date and a price. But most of the time it's just, oh look there gonna release something sometime soon for some price. One can't even decide if it's in their budget.

[saurik]

Microsoft announces things while they are still finalizing, or even sometimes while still designing, what might not even always become a product: this gives them a chance to get feedback from potential clients as part of large semi-public beta programs and back room negotiations. They probably do not know when it will be ready, nor have they yet decided how much it will cost.