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Brad Chacos reveals everything, from Windows 10 Creators Update to the Surface Mouse and keyboards
Microsoft’s recent big event included plenty of new Surface hardware, but nevertheless, it’s easy to see why the company called this a Windows event rather than a Surface shindig.
Windows and devices chief Terry Myerson (pictured) kicked things off with a tantalising glimpse of the features that will debut with the new Windows 10 Creators Update, scheduled to release in the spring. The rest of the event was dedicated to new Surface gear designed specifically to marry powerful, thoughtful hardware with the best of those new software features.
Windows 10 Creators Update
As we said, the freshly revealed Windows 10 Creators Update, scheduled to arrive in early 2017, kicked off the show. The update is built around three key pillars: the creation and manipulation of 3D content, sharing your Xbox Live gaming experiences and easily communicating with others.
Surface Studio
Microsoft’s first-ever desktop PC is the paragon for all those Windows ideals. The Surface Studio all-in-one mixes stunning physical design and impressive internal hardware, focused on creating the best experience possible for professionals and content creators. From an ultra-slim 4500x3000-pixel screen with ‘True Scale’ 1:1 image recreation, to the ability to lay at a 20-degree angle for natural positioning while sketching, to the sixth-generation (Skylake) Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GPU powering it all, the Surface Studio is laser-focused on helping you get things done. (And showing off Windows in the best possible.) Prices start at $3,000 – at the time of writing no UK price had been announced.
Surface Dial
The Surface Studio’s content-friendly design and Windows 10’s new content creation tools are amplified by the Surface Dial, a radical puck that can control Microsoft’s new PC. It’s primarily designed to work in conjunction with Microsoft’s Surface Pen. Priced at $100, the UK price has not yet been revealed.
The Surface Dial doesn’t have any buttons. Instead, using it reveals an interface wheel customised for specific applications, with selections occurring as you twist the device back and forth. You may cycle through tool-tip brushes in an image-editing app, for instance, or rewind and fast-forward through written notes in Office. A virtual version of the Dial appears even if you don’t place the puck directly onscreen, letting you zoom, scroll and adjust various options such as screen brightness and volume.
Support will be baked right into Windows 10, and the accessory will be compatible with the Surface Pro 3, Pro 4 and Surface Book.
Surface Book i7
Handily enough, Microsoft also revealed a newer, more powerful version of the Surface Book, the aptly named Surface Book i7. It comes with a sixth-generation Skylake Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GTX 965M GPU to deliver twice the power of the most potent original Surface Book. The Redmond-based firm has also boosted the Book i7’s battery life to a claimed 15 hours, despite the additional firepower, thanks to a redesigned cooling system and, well, more batteries.
Microsoft revealed that prices will start at $2,400, with UK cost to be announced.
Paint 3D
The Windows 10 Creators Update adds Paint 3D, a Windows Store app designed from the ground up to create 3D images even out of 2D pictures. The program includes numerous tools for editing three-dimensional images, and also integrates with a new Windows 10 3D-scanning app dubbed Windows Capture 3D, which allows you to digitize real-world objects.
Microsoft also plans to introduce a ‘community’ hub on Remix3D.com for shared 3D images, plus it’ll let you drag your creations out of Minecraft. Office apps will also support 3D images after the Windows 10 Creators Update rolls out.
You have to wonder how many nonprofessionals are interested in 3D image creation, but there’s no doubting that Paint 3D looks mighty nifty – and like a perfect match for the Surface Studio and Surface Dial’s capabilities.
Windows Holographic VR headsets
You’ll be able to view those 3D creations through Microsoft’s own HoloLens, or via an onslaught of Windows Holographiccompatible VR headsets reportedly coming from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus and Acer. “These headsets will be the first and only to ship with inside-out, six-degree-offreedom sensors,” Microsoft’s Terry Myerson revealed. “Unlike every other VR headset on the market today, this means there will be zero need for a separate room. Zero need for a complicated setup.”
My People
Microsoft wants to make your friends the centre of your Windows experience with My People, a feature that borrows from Android and iOS. In the Creators Update, five important contacts will appear as profile images in your taskbar. You’ll be able to drop files onto these contacts to immediately share items, or click the contact to interact in a specific app such as Skype or Xbox Live.
Live PC game streaming
Microsoft is muscling in on Twitch. The Windows 10 Creators Update adds the ability to easily start broadcasting your Xbox Live games via the OS’s Game DVR toolbar, sending notifications out to your friends to let them know when you’re online. Once they hop into your stream they’ll be able to chat with you, as with every other streaming service out there. The service is powered by Microsoft’s recent Beam acquisition and looks simple to use. It’s easy to envision Windows 10 Game DVR livestreaming becoming popular on consoles, but the firm faces an uphill battle on PCs, where Twitch and tools such as Nvidia Shadowplay and OBS already enjoy massive user bases.
Custom tournaments and fancy audio
The firm is tying console and PC users closer together with custom tournaments powered by Xbox Live’s Arena platform. Next year, you’ll be able to create your own custom gaming tournaments, controlling everything from the games, to the rules, to the players and the start times. Previously, Area tournaments were only created by Microsoft and its official partners.
The Xbox One S, which is itself powered by Windows 10, is adding support for bitstreaming Blu-ray audio passthrough and Dolby Atmos. Soon, those 4K videos and games will sound glorious.
Surface Mouse and keyboards
The niche Surface Dial isn’t the only Studio peripheral Microsoft announced, though none of the others made it onto the stage. The firm quietly launched a Surface Mouse and a pair of desktop Surface keyboards to complement its premium all-in-one PC. All three match the grey aesthetic of Microsoft first-ever desktop PC. The Studio includes a Surface Mouse and basic Surface Keyboard, however.