Microsoft has recently sent out invites to a press event which Windows 8 and its devices will be unveiled.

Slashgear reported that Microsoft will not only show off the final release of Windows 8 on a variety of devices, but also information on the Microsoft Surface tablet. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends 3 p.m. EST.

"The invite contains a note about a Microsoft Surface Reception specifically and makes Windows 8 the main subject of the event. This invitation, it's worth noting, uses Microsoft's new identity with the simplified Microsoft logo and flattened Windows logo for the forward-thinking future. Colors abound, this invite is also set to take place in colorful New York City," Slashgear reported.

While many are excited, some say it could be a risky strategy up against tablets already on the market like Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1, Google's Nexus 7, and the rumored iPad Mini.

"With that in mind, a midnight launch could be a risky strategy. Although we've no doubt Microsoft are aiming to build up some inertia for the Windows Phone 8 launch on October 29, a mere four days later," T3.com reported.

Microsoft is under a lot of pressure to succeed in the tablet market.

According to TheRegister, a survey found that programmers have "significant doubt that Microsoft can actually accomplish this difficult task and gain the market share required to make it a relevant mobile platform" even though they are optimistic about Redmond's promise to "ensure that code written for Windows 8 will work across desktops, tablets and smartphones."

The survey gathered opinions from about 5,000 mobile software engineers.

Microsoft's partnership with Barnes & Noble might give an edge to the Redmond company.

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft recently announced a Windows 8 Nook app, according to Latinos Post, which is the product of a partnership between the two companies that in April.

"Nook Media LLC, a new B&N subsidiary, will focus on providing digital content to consumers, in pursuit of an industry-wide shift towards e-readers. Nook Media LLC received a $300 million investment from Microsoft in exchange for a 17.6 percent stake in its stock. B&N also agreed to carry Windows 8 on its Nook online bookstore as a part of the deal," Latinos Post reported.

Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch states, "As demand for digital content continues to increase, we are focused on bringing groundbreaking reading and learning content and technologies to more people in more formats than ever before, including the imminent launch of our exceptional NOOK reading application for Windows 8."

Microsoft plans to stay in the game with its new Windows 8 Nook app to "provide a more consistent content ecosystem for upcoming Windows 8 devices," according to BetaNews. This will help it stay on the level of its competitors, Amazon, Apple and Google, who all have great content systems to keep customers happy.

A rumor of a Windows 8 phone also surfaces and might help Microsoft in the smartphone market.

BGRNews reported that Microsoft plans to release its own Windows Phone 8 smartphone in the coming months.

"a trusted source informed BGR several weeks ago that Microsoft is quietly working on an own-brand smartphone that will compete directly with high-end devices like Apple's (AAPL) iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S III, and also with Windows Phones built by its own vendor partners, of course," BGR reported.

The China Times on Monday published a report stating that Microsoft's smartphone will launch under the "Surface" brand and it will become available in the first half of 2013, according to BGR. The phone is in the late stages of development.

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