Microsoft announced that they would be doing a presentation in regards to Windows 10 Devices in New York at 10am NY Time, so for Australia (AEST), it was waking up or staying up until 1am to watch this event.
It was 12am and the countdown had already begun – “1 hour to go”.
Everyone around the world was talking about the leaks, what will they show, how will they do compared to Apple’s Event back on September 9th.
We can tell you now, we were not disappointed and so many others agree!
Watch the Event again now or keep Reading:
First up in the event was Universal Apps.
Universal Apps have become a hit to developers and now Microsoft have announced that Facebook will become a Universal App along side Instagram.
There was no demo of Facebook in action but we should soon see more later in the year.
Let us not forget the power of the Universal App.
Not only does a Universal App allow a developer to create an app or game ONCE that can be used on all Windows 10 devices, but it allows them to easily move their apps from iOS or Android onto the Windows 10 platform and make it work the exact same, add Windows Mobile features and potentially turn it into a Universal App, making it more cost affective and allowing consumers enjoy the app no matter where they are using it.
With that said, the only thing left for competitors is competing with Hardware.
Next they announced Xbox One will be getting a Windows 10 Upgrade this Holiday Season. This will allow better communication, integration and Universal Apps to prop up a new experience in the living room with your Windows 10 devices.
HoloLens
They straight up demoed a new game codenamed “Project X-Ray” with what they call “Mixed Reality”. This game is to demonstrate the power and intelligence of HoloLens in its surrounding environment.
Here is the Demo of what they showed: (We gasped in shock just like you will hear the audience do. It is amazing!)
HoloLens will be released as a Development Kit Edition in Q1 2016 for $3,000USD.
Microsoft Band 2
The Microsoft Band 2 comes with everything from its previous version, only better.
Microsoft have still focused on their wearable tech as being a fitness tracker but still allows other features to work like reading a text message, calendar event and now, Cortana.
It has Gorilla Glass 3 and now a feature that athletes do that required a treadmill, oxygen mask and a bunch of cords – VO2 Readings.
Currently the Device is not listed on the Microsoft Store Site of Australia but can be pre-ordered in the US for $249.99USD and is released on 31st of October.
Update: Microsoft tweeted a reply about the Band stating that they cannot currently talk to anyone about the Band but kinda hinted it may not be developed outside the US anytime soon by writing “Development/Updates”, but we could be wrong.
Lumia 950 & 950XL
Finally! after such a long time coming, Microsoft announce their new Flagship Phones – the Lumia 950 & 950XL. Lets not forget the Lumia 550.
Leaks were around the web about 950 phones for awhile now and during the Briefing, it turns out the leaks were all true… kind of.. They didn’t really detail everything the leaks said.
Some of the details about each phone:
Lumia 950
- 5.2″ AMOLED Display
- Snapdragon 808 Processor
- Liquid Cooling
- 20MP Rear Camera
- 32GB Storage with up to 200GB of expandable Storage via microSD Card
- USB Type-C that can charge the battery to 50% in 30min
- Continuum via the announced Lumia Docking Station
- Comes in White or Black
- MS Store Australia Unlocked: $1,099 (Click to view Full Specs)
Lumia 950XL
- 5.7″ AMOLED Display
- Snapdragon 810 Processor
- Liquid Cooling
- 20MP Rear Camera
- 32GB Storage with up to 200GB of expandable Storage via microSD Card
- USB Type-C that can charge the battery to 50% in 30min
- Continuum via the announced Lumia Docking Station
- Comes in White or Black
- MS Store Australia Unlocked: $1,199 (Click to view Full Specs)
The 950 & 950XL will be released in November. (Currently announced for US but likely worldwide)
Lumia 550
All we know so far:
- 4.7″ Display
- 8GB Storage
The Lumia 550 is to be released in December.
Docking Station
- USB-C (Phone to Dock)
- x1 Display Port, x1 HDMI Port
- x2 USB 2.0 (Sad to not see USB 3.0)
Surface Pro 4
The most talked about device has been indeed the Surface Pro 4.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has been kicking butt and created the now Category of “2-in-1”, Dubbed “The Tablet that can replace your Laptop”.
Here are the Specs:
- Screen: 12.3” PixelTouch display w/ Gorilla Glass 4
- Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI)
- Touch: 10 point multi-touch
- Windows 10 Pro
- 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m3, i5, or i7
- 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM
- Solid state drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- Casing: Magnesium
- Colour: Silver
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE
- 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
- Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
- Full-size USB 3.0
- microSD™ card reader
- Headset jack
- Mini DisplayPort
- 5.0 MP front-facing HD camera
- 8.0 MP rear-facing autofocus camera, with 1080p HD video recording
- Stereo speakers with Dolby® audio
- Stereo microphones
Dimensions
292.10mm x 201.42mm x 8.45mm
Graphics
m3: Intel® HD graphics 515
i5: Intel® HD graphics 520
i7: Intel® Iris™ graphics
Sensors
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Battery life
Up to 9 hours of video playback
Weight
m3: 766 grams
i5: 786 grams
i7: 786 grams
Microsoft claim it is 50% faster than the Macbook Air.
The accessories have also got a facelift:
Pen
The pen comes with an eraser top. 1 click for OneNote, Double Click for a Screen Capture, Press & Hold for Cortana.
It also has a Size Kit you can buy so you can match what feels right to you.
Type Cover
It is pretty much the same as a Surface Pro 3, except it has better keys, a bigger touchpad and for some reason (we hope its temporary) the Fingerprint ID version is only available in the US.
Surface Dock
- Works with Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Pro 3
- 130mm x 60mm x 30mm
- 550 grams
- x2 Mini DisplayPorts
- x1 Gigabit Ethernet port
- x4 USB 3.0 ports
- x 1 Audio out port
It is released on 26th October (US Currently) but the Microsoft Store Australia shows the price starting at $1,349.
Update: Microsoft tweeted a reply that states the Surface Pro 4 will be released on November 12th.
Microsoft Surface Book
Yes indeed. Microsoft made a Laptop to handle things the Surface Pro 4 cannot.
Just amazing!
The Specs:
- Screen: 13.5” PixelSense™ display
- Resolution: 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI)
- Touch: 10 point multi-touch
- Windows 10 Pro
- 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 or i7
- 8GB or 16GB RAM
- Solid state drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.
- Casing: Magnesium
- Colour: Silver
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE
- 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
- Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
- Two full-size USB 3.0
- Full-size SD™ card reader
- Headset jack
- Mini DisplayPort
- 5.0 MP front-facing HD camera
- 8.0 MP rear-facing autofocus camera, with 1080p HD video recording
- Stereo speakers with Dolby® audio
- Stereo microphones
Dimensions
312.3mm x 232.1mm x 13.0 – 22.8mm
Graphics
i5: Intel® HD graphics 520
i5/i7: NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Processor
Sensors
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Battery life
Up to 12 hours of video playback
Weight
Starting at 1,516 grams including keyboard
You can use the Pen and Docking Station with this Device.
It is released on 26th October (US Currently) but the Microsoft Store Australia shows the price starting at $2,299.
Update: Microsoft tweeted a reply that states the Surface Pro 4 will be released on November 12th.
There was nothing about when Windows Mobile 10 will be released to current Windows Phones, but we presume it will be when the 950 Family come out.
Well that’s it. We hope you enjoyed the read. Watch the full Briefing using the link at the start of the blog.
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