Microsoft Corp. unveiled what it calls is a “broad vision to empower a new wave of creativity” with an update coming to more than 400 million Windows 10 devices and the introduction of Surface Studio, Surface Dial, and Surface Book.
Expanding the Surface family, Surface Studio is a new class of device that transforms from a workstation into a digital canvas, unlocking a more natural and immersive way to create on the thinnest LCD monitor ever built. With an ultra-HD 4.5K screen, Surface Studio delivers 63 percent more pixels than a 4K TV. Surface Studio works with pen, touch and Surface Dial — a new input device designed for the creative process that lets users use two hands on the screen to compose and create.
Launching as a free update in early 2017, the Windows 10 Creators Update will enable anyone to create, share and experience in 3-D and mixed reality, connect people faster to those they care about most, and empower gamers to be broadcasters. Also, with the Creators Update, Microsoft Edge will be the first browser to fully embrace 3-D.
TURNING THE DESK INTO A CREATIVE STUDIO
Surface Studio is a new class of device. The 28-inch PixelSense Display immerses the user in 13.5 million pixels of pure, true-to-life color, and the Zero Gravity Hinge allows the screen to adjust to each stage of the creative process. When the screen transitions from Desktop Mode to Studio Mode, it sits at a 20-degree angle, the same angle as a standard drafting board, making it ideal for sketching, writing and designing.
The 6th Generation Intel Core processors accelerated by NVIDIA GeForce GPU deliver immersive graphics performance and the power to run professional programs such as Siemens’ NX software. Now architects can sketch their ideas with the Surface Pen, put them into production using 3-D modeling software, and review and mark up plans with a client, all on one device.
NEW SPIN ON CREATIVITY
Surface Dial is a new peripheral that integrates with Windows 10 to work with Surface for a faster and more intuitive way to scroll, zoom and navigate. The Dial also enables a set of unique experiences exclusive to Surface Studio. When one places the Dial directly on the screen, it brings up a set of digital tools specific to the app that is open, allowing people to move through their workflow. For example, with Surface Dial, artists can change the color or the size of their brush tip as they paint without ever moving the pen away from the screen. Partners like BlueBeam Inc., Drawboard, Mental Canvas, Siemens PLM Software, Silicon Benders, Smith Micro Software, Inc. and StaffPad already optimized their software to take advantage of Surface Dial.
POWERFUL SURFACE BOOK
Microsoft also introduced Surface Book with Performance Base. The three new Surface Book models feature 6th Generation Intel Core i7 processors and pack more than twice the graphics processing power as the original Surface Book. Plus Surface Book with Performance Base brings 16 hours of battery life into the same design.
3D TO ALL
Also, with the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft unveiled a vision across hardware and software to bring 3-D to everyone. Microsoft introduced a new way to bring ideas to life with Paint 3D, building on the popularity of Microsoft Paint. The company similarly introduced the new online community Remix3D.com, connecting creators and creations around the world. Remix 3D will enable all-new scenarios for creators, including the ability for Minecraft players to share their 3-D creations with the Remix 3D community. To inspire a new wave of creativity, Microsoft is partnering with Trimble to bring the 3-D modeling program Sketchup to Remix3D.com.
PLATFORM FOR 4K GAMING
The Windows 10 Creators Update will make it easy for every gamer to create and enjoy live game streams and customized eSports tournaments on Xbox Live. The Creators Update will include Beam system integration on Xbox One and Windows 10 for interactive broadcasting and viewing of gameplay on Xbox Live, with more features yet to be announced. The Creators Update will also bring the power of user-generated tournaments via Arena on Xbox Live, where anyone can define the rules of competition, invite friends and track tournament progress across devices, whether it’s on Windows 10 or Xbox One.
With the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft puts people at the center of user experience with Windows MyPeople, which allows users to pin favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for sharing. The Windows MyPeople experience will be integrated across Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps for easy sharing.
