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The new Microsoft Band has a curved screen, fancy metal accents
Remember that awkward, blocky-looking fitness bracelet/smartwatch Microsoft made last year: the Band? It's back, but this time it actually looks pretty nice. A more comfortable, curved screen? Classy metal accents? New sensors, app functionality and fitness-tracking features? Yes, yes and yes. The new Band looks like a real product, not the uncomfortable, weird thing we reviewed last year.
Windows 10 is now installed on 110 million devices
With Windows 10 being a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8 users, it's no surprise that many have jumped at the chance to see what Microsoft's latest OS has to offer. In fact, only a day after its release, the company counted 14 million installs, which skyrocketed to 75 million less than a month after that. At the "Windows 10 devices" event today, Microsoft's Terry Myerson provided a brief update, announcing that figure has now reached a whopping 110 million. That's quite the number, especially considering Windows 10 has only been out for around 10 weeks. The overwhelming majority of installs are coming from regular consumers, too, with just over 8 million attributed to business PCs.
Microsoft demos 'Project XRay' mixed reality game for HoloLens
One of Microsoft's most exciting products to date is HoloLens, and today the company revealed a new mixed reality game for the headset called Project XRay. The title was developed internally, according to Executive VP of the Windows and Devices Group Terry Myerson. Similar to the Minecraft experience on HoloLens, Project XRay also looks incredible -- particularly because you can turn most any room into your own gaming canvas. Here, though, you're wearing a holographic weapon on your arm, which you'll need to defend yourself from an attack of flying robots. Once they crawl out of the walls, you can shoot lasers at them -- yes, lasers. "Holograms behave just like real objects; they can interact with environments and with each other," said the Microsoft representative on stage about Project XRay.
Live from Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 and Lumia event!
Hello! We hope you're not sick of big keynotes, because Microsoft is about to kick off a press event in New York, and if that invite up there is any indication, some shiny new hardware is in order. If nothing else, we can safely assume that includes the long-awaited Surface Pro 4 -- it is their flagship product, after all, and the last-gen version has gone a year and a half without an update. Microsoft is also likely to officially introduce Windows 10 Mobile alongside some new smartphones, including the 5.2-inch Lumia 950 and the 5.7-inch 950 XL. We also wouldn't be surprised if we got a close-up peek at the lower-end Lumia 550, which has also been revealed in leaks. And hey, if we're lucky maybe we'll even learn more about when HoloLens is finally going on sale. Only one way to find out: Bookmark this liveblog link, and check back at 10AM Eastern on Tuesday, October 6th for up-to-the-minute coverage.
Here's how to watch Microsoft's Windows 10 devices event
First was Apple, then Google and now it is Microsoft's turn to show us fresh devices ahead of the holiday season. As for what we can expect from today's event, Microsoft is rumored to have a few Windows 10 phones on tap, along with details about the Windows 10 Mobile rollout and, most importantly, a new Surface Pro -- the fourth generation of its top-of-the-line hybrid laptop/tablet series. That said, there might be a surprise or two during the keynote, so you're going to want to keep your eyes peeled. You can watch the stream here at 7AM PT/10AM ET, and we'll also be liveblogging the festivities from New York City this morning.
