Microsoft’s jam-packed Windows 10 devices event recently focused on new hardware that will be compatible with Windows 10. According to the company, more than 110 million people have upgraded to the new version of Windows. The company also showcased the latest devices meant for Windows 10, the new computers, Windows-based smartphones and an important update to the sensor-rich wearable, the Microsoft Band. The company also displayed HoloLens and made it available for developers only for ushering in new apps for the mixed reality platform.
Here were the most important announcements that Microsoft highlighted during the recent event in New York City:
- The First Laptop and the 2-in-1 is Here!
The software company released its first-ever indigenous laptop, the Surface Book, sporting a 13.5-inch screen. The company touted it to be the fastest laptop in the world, citing it to be twice as powerful as the latest MacBook Pro. With a 12-hour battery life, the Surface Book is priced at a hefty $1,499 and will be available in the markets from Oct. 26.
Microsoft has continued to make an impression with tablets that can pose as laptops too. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 also made its debut with a strong and sleek 12.3-inch screen with more than 5 million pixels, with a striking resolution and an incredibly thin screen.
Apple and Google recently unveiled their 2-in-1 device category devices with the minimalist iPad Pro and the trendy Google Pixel C.
The Surface Pro 4 is priced at $899, and will be available Oct. 26. The device also comes with different accessories including a docking port and a new light touch keyboard imbued with biometric security in Windows 10.
- The New Flagship Smartphones that are Large and Beautiful!
Microsoft’s Lumia 950 has a sizeable 5.2-inch screen while the Lumia 950 XL is sporting a 5.7-inch screen that is directed to large screen lovers.
The phone is made in lieu of increasing productivity with its wide range of features. The feature called continuum from Windows 10, allows users to shift between computer screens and Lumia smartphones.
Windows Hello works with an iris scanner and is made to recognize a device’s user and lets them unlock it automatically. Microsoft’s new phones also boast of a powerful camera and the latest optical image stabilization system that is useful for photographers. Also, the phones will include the USB-C charging standard and 32 GB of immense internal storage. Lumia 950 is priced starting at $549 and the Lumia 950 XL will be charged at $649.
- The Full Featured Microsoft Band
Microsoft’s wearable, the Microsoft Band is now a sensor-rich as well as feature-rich device as it tracks down everything related to the quality of sleep, heart rate and also daily activity. It also intimates messages and calendar events as part of the routine. The band will soon sport features from the Windows 10.
The band now also features its 11th sensor — a barometer – thus helping users to track their elevation. It now features Microsoft’s virtual assistant, a curved screen, Microsoft Health, and many more features. Band wearers can see their health data along with VO2 that is a must for fitness buffs who are keen on knowing their maximum oxygen intake.
The preorders for Microsoft Band will start from Oct. 30 at a price of $249.
- The other side of News and Announcements…
The mixed reality headset called HoloLens will be available to developers next year at $3,000.
Hololens was shown off live on stage with a holographic gauntlet that showed robots who broke walls and climbed on features, blowing away soon after. It will soon be lapped up by consumers, but the company is keen on getting new applications for the HoloLens dev kit, which will be launched in early 2016.
The new Edge browser has been popular among users with more than 650 billion websites up till now, while Cortana has been pegged with more than 1 billion questions worldwide. Microsoft stressed on the statistics to showcase Windows 10 as a successful operating system in its own right!
The company also announced an impending released with Xbox One with one of the greatest games line up. The new games to usher in Xbox One include Rise of the Tomb Raider, Halo 5 and the latest version of Gears of War. Now Xbox One users will also be able to play Xbox 360 games since the company has made it possible with its backwards compatibility feature.
Takeaway
Microsoft’s recent announcements showcase a trendy lineup of products that are meant to make an impression in the technology world as Apple and Google are making a headway with their offerings too. The company is keen to let the products talk for themselves as it has ramped up its mobile devices, its gaming platform, one of the fastest laptops and other offerings. Only time will tell, if these forays will be successful or not.
