Microsoft unveiled a new Surface all-in-one PC, an updated Surface Book, announced updates to Windows 10 and much more.
In an event held at New York on 26 October, Microsoft took the wraps off several high-profile products in the offing. This includes their new high-end workstation, the Surface Studio, their updated laptop, the Surface Book, and a huge Windows 10 update coming up next year called Windows 10 Creators Update. Here are the key takeaways:
Microsoft Surface Studio
Microsoft announced a brand new desktop PC -- Surface Studio -- and is touted as having “world’s thinnest LCD monitor ever built”. In terms of specifications, the Studio sports a 28-inch PixelSense display with a 192 PPI. It also features a wide color gamut TrueColor display. Speaking of its capabilities, head honcho of Microsoft devices Panos Panay claims that it “renders the world… or as a creator believes it needs to be rendered”.
It is built upon a 3:2 aspect ratio and is forged within an aluminum enclosure that is just 12.5mm, touchscreen included. The Surface Studio packs 13.5 million pixels--roughly 63 percent more than a 4K TV and it also happens to be thinner than Apple’s iMac screen, at the time of writing this.
The all-in-one computer is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor with 32GB of RAM along with a 2TB hybrid hard drive and NVIDIA GPU. Connectivity options include USB 3.0, Ethernet, Audio, SD and Mini DisplayPort. It also comes integrated with a "2.1 surround" speaker system. The device is scheduled to be available in limited quantities later this year.
Windows 10 Creators Update
The company unveiled the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update, which aims to bring numerous enhancements around 3D and communication. The company is expanding their vision for mixed reality with 3D for everyone. Executive VP for Windows and Devices group Terry Myerson said, “Each of us can create, share, and experience 3D and mixed reality." He believes that the next generation is growing up in 3D worlds. "With the Creators Update, we asked ourselves, what can 3D do to unleash the creator in each of us?"
Microsoft unveiled the all-new 3D Paint app called Paint 3D. Company’s Megan Magon, Windows Program Manager discussed Paint 3D and demonstrated some of the its many capabilities. With over 100 million people use Paint every month, the new paint app will include a magic selection tool, and tools to create 3D shapes and objects from 2D sources as well. Microsoft has also partnered with Trimble to bring SketchUp creations to the company’s 3D Paint community, as well as incorporating the ability to export 3D models from Minecraft into Paint.
Users can create personal emojis, as was demonstrated by doodling a beard onto the crying emoji. You can share all this on social media as well. Next up, Powerpoint was shown to have native 3D import capabilities as well. Heather Alekson, a product manager, demonstrated the new 3D models option on the PowerPoint menu, from where users can access 3D models that are community submitted, and insert these directly into slides including the ability to alter the perspective, zoom, rotate and animate them within a presentation.
Next the company’s Edge browser was also shown to incorporate 3D abilities with their HoloLens mixed reality solution. Users will be able to grab objects from Remix 3D and put it into a HoloLens view, basically bringing in models 3D objects such as various types of furniture, and ‘place’ them within a view of the real world. This was shown to be working with brands like IKEA, enabling users to audition how furniture would appear within their home, for example..
Myerson added, “With the Creators Update, our partners including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer, will be shipping VR headsets." These headsets will ship with six degree of freedom sensors on all these VR headsets, with prices starting $299 (approximately Rs 20,000).
Surface Book i7
Microsoft also unveiled an updated version of their Surface Book laptop -- the Surface Book i7. It includes features of the previous iteration along with some new improvements--Panos Panay, head of Microsoft devices said, “We have millions and millions of people each day using their Surface and telling us their stories.” He also claimed that the Surface Book has the highest user satisfaction among any Windows 10 machine or Macbook, adding “This is the most powerful Surface Book ever.” The company doubled the device’s performance and added more battery life (a total of 16 hours) to it. It will be available for pre-order starting October 26 with prices starting $899 (approximately Rs 60,000.)
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