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Watch Microsoft's Surface event in 10 minutes
Microsoft had no shortage of announcements at its big Surface event. The Surface Studio all-in-one was undoubtedly the centerpiece, but the tech pioneer also unveiled a supercharged Surface Book, low-cost third-party VR headsets, the art-oriented Surface Dial accessory and a major Windows 10 update that's focused on creators. It's a lot to digest, we know. Thankfully, you don't have to spend ages reading our liveblog to see what happened. We've recapped the choicest parts of the announcement in a 10-minute video that you can watch right here -- you just have to sit back and enjoy.
What happened at Microsoft's Surface event
Microsoft spent more than two hours on stage today introducing new products and software updates, but it all really comes down to one thing: the Surface Studio. It's one of the most impressive pieces of hardware Microsoft has ever developed and a truly unique take on the all-in-one computer. If you've become addicted to using a digital pen on devices like Microsoft's own Surface Pro or the iPad Pro but have craved a larger canvas, look no further. Of course, this doesn't come cheap -- the powerful and impeccably designed machine will set you back at least $2,999. Beyond the Surface Studio, Microsoft also rolled out a new high-end Surface Book convertible laptop and announced that the Windows 10 "Creators Update," which includes plenty of 3D-focused features, will roll out in the spring. Oh, and who can forget that crazy new Surface Dial? Let us catch you up with everything Microsoft rolled out today, won't you?
Microsoft is making a play for Apple's base of creatives
During today's Surface event Microsoft executives used the word "creative" tens of thousands of times. Sure, they talked about using Word, Excel and Powerpoint as a way to achieve these artistic goals, but at the core the company that's traditionally filled meetings with large spreadsheets and bullet-pointed mission statements is going after the designers of the world. The question is: Why?
Microsoft unveils an ergonomic keyboard for Surface fans (updated)
Surface computers (plus the Surface Dial) aren't all that's new at Microsoft's fall event. The company has quietly unveiled various Surface accessories, headlined by a Surface Ergonomic Keyboard. The wireless input device is effectively a cross between the earlier Designer Bluetooth Desktop and an ergonomic keyboard -- you get a more comfortable typing feel with quiet, low-profile keys. There's even a double-cushioned Alcantara palm rest (the same material you saw in the Signature Type Cover) that promises to be gentler on your hands even as it spruces up your desk environment. A pair of AAA batteries will power it for a full year.
Microsoft's 2016 Surface event by the numbers
Microsoft held its Surface 2016 event in New York on Wednesday and spent just over two hours showing off its newest laptop, the Surface Book i7, a slew of forthcoming VR headsets (not to mention a bunch of new ways to create content for them) and a ginormous digital drafting desk slash all-in-one computer, the Surface Studio. Click here to catch all the latest news from Microsoft's big Surface event.
Microsoft's big-screen Surface Studio is an engineering marvel
Microsoft just wrapped its event where it unveiled the new Surface Studio, and we had a few minutes to stare straight into the gorgeous display of the company's first all-in-one desktop. Based on how Microsoft introduced this new product, it's clear it's geared toward professionals and creatives, including visual artists, architects, writers and even accountants. The company thinks that being able to immerse yourself in a display of this quality, size and capability will change how people work.
Microsoft passes on updating the Surface Pro
Microsoft announced a flurry of hardware at its Surface event, but there was one very conspicuous omission: a new Surface Pro tablet. For the first time in a long while, a year will come and go without an updated version of Microsoft's most iconic computer. There haven't been any quiet spec bumps either. The Surface Pro 4 still starts at $899 with a Core m3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while higher-end models also have the same specs as before. But why did the company pass on the opportunity?
Surface Studio vs. the competition: Beauty isn't skin deep
Over the past few years we've seen Microsoft take on the world of tablets with the Surface and, for those who prefer something more on the laptop side, the Surface Pro and Surface Book. But it hasn't truly tackled desktops until today's announcement of the all-in-one Surface Studio. As cool as features like the zero-gravity hinge might be, the Studio will be facing off against established lines like the iMac. We've assembled the specs of some of the leading 27-inch machines on the market and matched them up against the 28-inch Studio to see which is worthy of sitting on your desk.
Surface Dial is a physical scroll wheel for your digital art
During its big event today, Microsoft introduced a new Surface-centric peripheral alongside the new all-in-one Studio desktop. The Surface Dial is a wireless, brushed aluminum puck that adds new gestures and functionality to a variety of Surface-friendly apps.
Microsoft's Surface Book i7 offers twice the graphics power
Were you worried that Microsoft would leave the Surface Book untouched during its Windows 10 event? You can set your mind at ease. Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Book i7, a refresh that focuses on pure power. The name is a giveaway as to the processor (surprise, there's a Core i7), but you also get twice the graphics performance -- the company added a second fan and otherwise redesigned the thermals to allow for faster GeForce GTX 965M video without cooking the inside. There's also a larger battery that promises up to 16 hours of battery life in laptop mode (no word on the tablet mode yet).
T-Mobile leaks new Windows 10 phone ahead of announcement
T-Mobile accidentally leaked the newest Windows 10 phone, the Alcatel Idol 4S, ahead of the handset's official announcement during Microsoft's Surface event in New York City today. The handset-and-VR-headset bundle was originally released in July as a low-cost competitor to Samsung's Gear VR, though back then, the Idol was still running Android. T-Mobile is now offering the Idol 4S bundled with a VR headset as well as a 45-day trial subscription of Hulu, a 60-day trial subscription to Groove Music and a free copy of Halo Spartan. There's no word yet on pricing or availability.
Surface Studio is Microsoft's first all-in-one desktop
As rumors suggested it would, Microsoft unveiled a new all-in-one PC today at its "Imagine What You'll Do" event in New York. The Surface Studio, as it's called, is a gorgeous desktop that rivals the iMac, while adding various design and software features you won't find on Apple's system. On stage today, Surface chief Panos Panay said the Studio is built for creators and professionals. For starters, it features a 28-inch, 12.5mm thin touchscreen that's capable of pushing 13.5 million pixels -- 63 percent more than a 4K display. Of course, Surface Studio is powered by Windows 10, and Panay says it's designed to work seamlessly with the upcoming Creators Update.
Microsoft built Twitch-like livestreaming into Windows 10
Broadcasting live gameplay to Twitch or Facebook isn't easy. It means setting up special capture software and navigating a mire of complicated bandwidth settings. Microsoft is trying to fix that: The next version of Windows 10 is going to integrate game broadcasting directly into the Xbox App. The streaming experience promises not only to be easy, but also to almost eliminate the communication lag between viewers and broadcasters -- but don't expect to use it on Twitch. Microsoft's game broadcasting tools seem to be designed specifically for Beam, the livestreaming service it acquired back in August.
Dolby Atmos audio is coming to the Xbox One
One of the gripes audiophiles have had with the Xbox One S is that despite the console's Ultra HD Blu-ray drive, it doesn't support next-gen audio standards. That changes sometime in the future for all* Xbox Ones with a free update adding Dolby Atmos playback (via bitstream). It's not nearly as dramatic as Sony adding 3D Blu-ray playback to the PlayStation 3 via an update in 2010, but for audio geeks this is pretty big news. And this is why buying a game console is a better idea than a standalone Blu-ray player: constant updates adding new features, rather than something with a fixed feature set that may never be updated. Now it's time to drop $1,500 on a soundbar that can help you make the most of that improved sound.
Lenovo, HP and Dell are all working on $300 Windows VR headsets
Microsoft's holographic computing platform will cross over to the world of virtual reality. The company first revealed its hybrid-VR ambitions at Computex earlier this year and today that vision was solidified on stage at its big Surface event in New York City. Microsoft has partnered with companies like HP, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell and Acer to bring a slew of affordable VR headsets, all of which are said to start at $299.
The new Microsoft Paint lets you share terrible 3D doodles
As rumored, part of the new WIndows 10 Creators update is a brand new version of Paint. In 3D. Microsoft general manager Megan Saunders showed it off onstage today at Microsoft's big Surface event using a 3D scan of a sandcastle from the stage, positioned into a scene with her daughters, over a beach background. The good news is that you can export your final creations, render in 3D and post to Facebook and even make custom emojis using the new functionality. You can also jump into Pinterest-alike boards from the community and grab bits and bobs to throw into your masterpiece. Same goes for exporting and printing Minecraft creations you've made. It looks a little gimmicky, sure, but it's not like you could have replicated a Jackson Pollock using Microsoft's earlier painting tools.
Windows 10 'Creators Update' arrives free of charge next spring
The star of today's Microsoft keynote may be the new Surface Studio all-in-one, but its world still revolves around Windows 10. At today's event, the company revealed a lot of details about the next release, dubbed the "Creators Update." Microsoft started by showing the 3D version of Paint it previewed earlier this month, and it's indeed quite different from the version you may have done pixelated doodles with. As its name suggests, you can scan objects from the real world and bring them into a 3D environment.
Live from Microsoft's Surface 2016 event!
After surprising us with the Surface Book last year, what could Microsoft have in store next for its flagship PC lineup? We'll find out today during its Surface media event in NYC. As we explained in our preview, rumors currently point to an all-in-one PC that can be converted into a large tablet. It could be something like a cross between the iMac and the Surface Hub. We might also catch a glimpse at Microsoft's Amazon Echo and Google Home competitor, the "Home Hub," and hear more about how Windows 10 will evolve.
Watch Microsoft's big PC event right here
Microsoft's "Imagine What You'll Do" event is just under an hour away. The company is expected to show off new hardware and software at the New York City show -- you can read all about it here -- including an all-in-one Surface PC, some major Windows 10 updates (including that new version of Paint) and possibly even an Amazon Echo competitor. Of course we're there, and you'll be able to follow along with our liveblog for second-by-second analysis, but there's also a livestream for you to watch. The event kicks off at 10AM ET, and after it's over you'll be able to watch a replay of the whole thing in the same player.