Microsoft launches new Surfaces, including a folding smartphone with… Android!

Ah, the famous end of the third quarter: the time when all the technology giants present their weapons for the end of the year and the next life cycle of devices of various categories. Apple has already shown its letters (or part of them), Amazon too, and Google should do so soon. Today, it was the turn of Microsoft.

The Redmond giant took the stage of a special event in New York and presented a lot: we have updates to the main models of the line. Surface and new family members, such as a competitor for the AirPods and a smartphone. With Android! Yes, that's right keep reading to know what awaits us.

Surface Laptop 3

The first news of the day was the third generation of Surface Laptop, the "traditional" notebook of the line. And Microsoft spared no nudging of Apple and MacBook Air, the main competitor of the device to start with performance: according to the manufacturer, the new Surface at 3x faster than an equivalent Ma computer. Here we have Intel 10th generation chips and optionally an AMD Ryzen Surface Edition processor (the most powerful mobile processor ever created by AMD, according to Microsoft).

Externally, the new Surface Laptop is very similar to previous generations, but we now have a 15 inch option that joins the 13 ″ model. The larger notebook can also be purchased in an all-metal version, which dispenses the Alcantara surface around the keyboard / trackpad with a more traditional finish.

Another serious nudge on the MacBook Air came in the keyboard and repair aspects. Microsoft spent a good few minutes talking about the durability of the keys, and drew applause from the audience as it simply removed the keyboard surface from the computer by unscrewing four screws allowing keys to be replaced and access to various internal components (SSD, for example). easily replaceable).

The Redmond giant has made yet another change much demanded by users: it exits the previous generation Mini DisplayPort connection and enters a USB-C port (in addition to the USB-A port that has always existed). The battery is still recharged by the proprietary connector and can reach 80% charge in less than 1 hour.

The Surface Laptop 3 will be launched on the 22nd next by values ​​starting from $ 1,000 (13 inches) or $ 1,200 (15 inches). Good recipe, huh?

Surface Pro 7

Meanwhile, the original product of the Surface family has gained punctual novelties. THE Surface Pro 7 even a 12.3-inch tablet with its famous infinite-adjustable back support. We still have the magnetically clamped keyboard cover, and the Surface Pen for drawing and writing (and accurate editions in Word, which are new).

But we have improvements, also as an indicated USB-C port, so long requested by users. Internally, Microsoft now includes 10-generation Intel processors with multiple options (both i3, dual-core, and i5 / i7, four-core).

Surface Pro 7 will be launched on the 22nd next, for values ​​starting from $ 750 (for Core i3 chip version, 128GB storage and 4GB RAM).

Surface Pro X

Microsoft is also thinking about the future of Surface Pro, and is beginning to hint at that future with Surface Pro X It is a new line, with new paradigms and another range of benefits. Here is a 13-inch screen with very few edges (so much so that it is the same size as Surface Pro 7), with a density of 267 pixels per inch. It is also extremely thin, only 5.3mm thick, and weighs only 774g but the infinitely adjustable support is still present.

The scheme was possible because Microsoft here abandoned Intel's processors for a solution of its own. This is the SQ1 chipset, based on Snapdragon's ARM architecture but capable of handling more power (7W, more accurately) and delivering better processing and graphics performance (9 teraflops).

There are other cards up the sleeve: the flash storage module, for example, is replaceable (theoretically not by the user, but by an authorized service center). All models feature fast charging and built-in LTE.

Here we also have a new stylus, called Surface Slim Pen, which will be sold separately and can be loaded on the (also new) Signature Keyboard Cover, which has a dedicated space to leave the pen. In terms of software, Microsoft has partnered with Adobe to bring Creative Cloud apps to the new device including Fresco, which has been re-launched exclusively for iPads.

Surface Pro X is already on sale and will be launched on November 5th for prices starting from $ 1,000.

Surface Earbuds

As it should be, Microsoft also got into the fully wireless headset trolley. These are the Surface Earbuds It's entitled to a slightly questionable design that looks like a soundboard in your ear.

Visual choices aside, the headphones have a different proposition than other competitors in the segment and seem to be more focused on productivity than sound experience. Here is a set of microphones dedicated to listening to your voice for built-in commands, especially in Office (yes): you can browse through slides PowerPoint or generate instant subtitles in a presentation, for example, with a little help from the headphones.

The outer surface acts as small touchpads, and you can control aspects such as playback or volume from them. Surface Earbuds also feature 8 hours of playback (or 24 hours, including case refills) and active noise cancellation.

Microsoft promised the headphones for the end of the year by $ 250 yes, well above AirPods and other competitors. We'll see if the public buys the idea.

Surface Neo

Remember the Courier mythical? The dream of Microsoft's dual-screen device seemed to have died almost a decade ago, but now it's kind of coming in the form of the Surface Neo. It is a folding device, with two screens (not a folding screen) and an operating system of its own. a “new category” of products, according to the company.

Surface Neo

Here we have two 9-inch screens (using the thinnest LCD panels ever created, according to the company), connected by more than 60 microcoaxial cables thinner than hair strands; The mechanism connecting the two parts can be folded in 360 and strong enough to position one of the standing screens on a surface, such as a laptop.

This is one of the jumps of the Surface Neo cat: it will have an accessory that at first glance looks like a simple Bluetooth keyboard. By placing it on top of one of the screens (whichever is lying down), however, the device recognizes the peripheral and causes the panel to work in conjunction with it, showing a digital trackpad or a second window on top of the keyboard. depending on your placement (you can also take off the keyboard and use it as a common accessory).

Unfolded, the Surface Neo has a 13 "full" screen, with an 8.9mm flight between them. Each part of the device is only 5.6mm thick, and the whole thing weighs only 655g. It also features Surface Slim Pen support, which attaches magnetically to the back of the device. In terms of software, we have here a kind of new operating system, the Windows 10X (a version of Windows 10 designed specifically for dual-screen devices).

Surface Neo be equipped with Intel chips “Lakefield”, and still have some development time before it is released: according to Microsoft, the device will be available in the next vacation period ie about a year from now.

Surface Duo

We leave the most intriguing to the end. THE Surface Duo It is also a two-screen folding device and will also be launched late next year, but it has several features.

Surface Duo

First, although Microsoft is reluctant to call it a smartphone, it makes phone calls, representing the company's first venture in the industry since the death of the Lumia line. Second, no, it does not run any version of Windows instead, we have here a special version of Android, produced in partnership with Google.

The decision is very consistent with the recent direction of Microsoft, under the command of Satya Nadella. In the "new" Big MNo matter what operating system you are using, as long as you are immersed in the company's ecosystem and using its applications and services. And that's Surface Duo to spare, with an Android tailored to offer Microsoft's palm-sized experiences (though you still have access to Google services, including the Play Store, of course).

Here we have two 5.6 inch screens in a body that can also be folded into 360; unfolded, it features an 8.3-inch “unified” display. You can use the screens to open different apps, or use one to display a keyboard or game controller.

The Surface Duo will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, but its prototype character still has several gaps. Microsoft has not yet decided, for example, whether to include a rear camera in the device or to keep only the rear camera. selfie on one inner side; This will all be decided over the next year, before its release.

What about?

via GeekWire