Online Insider: Microsoft Announces 'Surface' Tablet

On Tuesday’s Online Insider, KSTP.com’s Cory Kampschroer reports the following stories:

Microsoft Announces Tablet

If you find it difficult to type on a touch screen tablet, Microsoft has a solution.

Microsoft has announced the ‘Surface’ tablet that will be in direct competition with the iPad.

The new tablet has a touch screen and built in kick-stand. Unlike the iPad, its cover folds out into a keyboard and offers a 16 by 9 aspect ratio to watch video in widescreen format.

The tablet will be around the same price as the iPad and is expected to be released this fall.

Credit Card Database

If you have issues with your credit card, tell the government, online.

You can go to a government website and complain about the problems you’ve had.

When you’re on the website, you can see the types of  complaints that have been filed against any bank that issues credit cards.

eBook Sales

It could become more difficult to find a hardcover version of your favorite book.

Readers are now spending more money on eBooks.

According to the Association of American Publishers, eBooks brought in 282 Million in the first quarter. That’s a 28.4% increase from last year.

However, sales of traditional hard-cover books were also up, but only by 2.7%.

Sex Offender App

With summer comes an increase in crime, so this week we're focusing on online tools to help keep you and your family safe.

The ‘Sex Offenders Search’ app from Life360 uses your phone’s geo-location to show you registered sex offenders in your area.

It taps into the national sex offender registry to show you where the offender lives, a photo of the offender, and a little about the person’s history.

‘Sex Offender Search’ is free and is available for Android and iPhone.