Welcome back to another edition of Weekend Reading, with stories about the newly introduced Surface 3, a Next at Microsoft podcast featuring one of the “Mad Men” and the inclusion of the new Project Spartan browser in the latest build of the Windows 10 Technical Preview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPto6XpRq-U

Microsoft on Tuesday announced the Surface 3 , which features the same beautiful design and premium materials as Surface Pro 3 in a more compact and efficient package. At just 8.7 mm thin and weighing 1.37 pounds, the Surface 3 is the thinnest and lightest Surface yet. The 3:2 aspect screen ratio first introduced on Surface Pro 3 is also used here. It runs full Windows, including desktop applications, and includes a one-year subscription to Office 365. Surface 3 starts at $499 and will be on sale starting May 5, but is available for pre-order now. It will also be available in a mobile broadband version, Surface 3 (4G LTE).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G1zRUP5biY

The latest episode of the Next at Microsoft podcast is now available and fans of “Mad Men” should tune in to find out more about actor Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane on the show. Sommer speaks to David Chen about his gaming obsession, on both computers and physical boards. He has a collection of more than 800 of the latter. He also shares insights into his work on the show and in other TV, film and voice-over roles — like how he uses Skype to work from anywhere.

YouTube Video