5 of the big announcements from Microsoft's Windows 10 devices event

6 months ago

Microsoft have unveiled a series of next-generation devices which will become available over the next year.

Its first ever laptop, the Microsoft Surface Book, was the big announcement and is said to be the most powerful 13-inch laptop ever made.

Also revealed was the Surface Pro 4, three new Lumia smartphones, the new Microsoft Band and a demonstration of the Microsoft Hololens.

All will be powered by Windows 10, the latest Microsoft operating system, that is now used on 110 million devices worldwide, according to Executive Vice President Terry Myerson.

Here is a run-down on what gadgets the tech giants has in store for us in the coming months.

1. Surface Book

Microsoft will finally be entering the laptop market with the Surface Book.

It is a laptop by name, but can be turned into a tablet by detaching the keyboard, and is lauded by its creators as the fastest of its size on the market.

It will have a 13.5-inch screen with a six-million pixel display, as well as 12 hours of battery life.

The device will also allow users to type in near-silence, thanks to a deeper keyboard.

Available from October, the device will cost $1,499.

2. Surface Pro 4

Faster performance seemed to be the name of the game for Microsoft, as the latest tablet in the Surface Pro series was announced to be 30% quicker than its predecessor.

Surface Pro 4 is a lighter, thinner offering than Surface Pro 4, boasting the thinnest glass ever used on a tablet at only 0.4mm thick.

Its five-million pixel screen covers a 12.3-inch display and can be annotated on using a surface pen – complete with an eraser – that allows you to take screengrabs to draw on.

Also available from October, Surface Pro 4 will set you back $899.

3. Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 550

A trinity of smartphones were announced by the tech giants: the next-gen Lumia 950 and 950 XL and the budget Lumia 550.

Lumia 950, which has a 5.2-inch screen, and 950 XL, which has a 5.7-inch screen, will feature 4K video shooting, a 20 megapixel camera and the Windows Hello facial-recognition software.

In the event you need to make use of a keyboard, the devices can be plugged in to a port which allows you to take control of it with a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

They will be available from the end of the year for $549.

Also announced was Microsoft’s first low-cost smartphone, Lumia 550, which will be released at the same time for $139.

4. Microsoft Band 2

A smoother, more comfortable design will be one of the big changes for the new Microsoft Band, the first of which was criticised for its impractical fit.

Commercial partners such as Uber were announced for the watch, allowing users to use the app from their wrist.

It will also have a number of features to help monitor exercise, including the addition of an 11th censor, a barometer, allowing it to judge altitude changes.

Microsoft Band’s Lindsey Matese said: “The Microsoft Band is ready to be a big part of your health story – it is your coach which helps get you to the start line, it is your pacer who helps you train and race, it’s your personal assistant who helps you stay on top of your day-to-day life and work.”

5. Microsoft Hololens

Holograms of zombies at one point invaded the stage during a demonstration of the Microsoft Hololens, which can turn your surroundings into an interactive game.

Wearing the virtual-reality headset could allow you to see yourself holding holograms – such as weapons – to interact with graphics as they appear before you.