Microsoft unleashed a cavalcade of new gadgetry at a special media event in New York last night.
The event was opened by CEO Satya Nadella, who spoke about the success of the company’s Surface line of computers and tablets. Designed to go head-to-head with Apple’s iPad and Macbook ranges, the likes of the Surface Pro and Surface Book have become firm favorites in the tech community.
But the product that stole the show was a dual-screen phone that was unveiled ahead of an anticipated release for Christmas next year.
Called Microsoft Duo, it’s the tech giant’s first smartphone since the Microsoft Lumia 650 in 2016. After that failed to ignite the market, Microsoft seemingly gave up on mobile because of intense competition from iOS and Android.
But now the PC-maker is working with Google to bring Android apps to the device, coupled with Microsoft’s productivity experiences with the likes of Word and Excel.
Speaking about the device, Panos Panay, chief product officer at Microsoft, said: ‘It has to fit in your pocket. You will be more productive on two screens.’
The Duo follows a new trend in smartphone design which emerged with other foldables, notably Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X.
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As well as the Duo, Microsoft also revealed a foldable tablet called the Surface Neo running an adapted version of Microsoft’s operating system, known as Windows 10X. Like the Duo, it will also will not be available until late next year, but Mr Panay said the company was unveiling the technology early ‘to bring developers on the journey with us’.
‘It’s the device that puts you at the centre and adapts to who you are – I showed you kind of early, but I can’t wait,’ he added.
But the two new devices were far from the only things Microsoft showed off in New York.
The company also revealed four major products due for release later this month, including an updated Surface Laptop 3, a Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Pro X, which are all said to feature greater performance and battery while being lighter and thinner.
The Pro 7 has been given a major overhaul internally with Microsoft claiming the new device is twice as fast as the previous generation thanks to new processors. A USB-C connection has also been added. It will go on sale in October, starting at $749.
In a further boost to the Pro line-up, Microsoft also unveiled the ProX, which it says is the ‘thinnest, lightest, most powerful’ Surface Pro ever. It has a larger 13-inch display with reduced bezels around the edge of the device and an updated keyboard which includes a concealed storage and charging area for the new Slim Pen stylus. It will go on sale in November, starting at $999 dollars.
To complete the refresh of its hardware, Microsoft also unveiled the Surface Laptop 3. The third-generation computer now comes in two sizes – either a 13.5 or 15-inch display – and has fast charging capabilities for the first time, with Microsoft promising up to 80% in under an hour plugged in. It will be released in October, with the 13.5-inch starting at $999 and the 15-inch at $1,199.
As well as the computers, Microsoft revealed the Surface EarBuds, which are a new audio-based product from the company following last year’s Surface Headphones. The in-ear Buds are able to pair up with Office apps and can add live captions during PowerPoint presentations, although the feature will only be available in the US to begin with.
They look a bit strange – like small saucers placed over your ears – but as we’ve seen with Apple’s AirPods, people might not mind looking a bit silly if the functionality is there. Microsoft said the EarBuds will go on sale later this year for $250. We don’t yet have a UK price.
All in all, it was a bonanza of products from Microsoft which is slowly but surely cementing its place as one of the top hardware brands in consumer tech today.