Microsoft Surface PC event: all the latest news – The Verge

Seven big questions about Microsoft’s new VR headsets

2016-10-27T08:00:03-04:00

Today's big tech news might be the fancy-looking Surface Studio PC, but Microsoft also decided to make a major virtual reality announcement during its Windows event: a whole new line of VR headsets with built-in tracking sensors, starting at the surprisingly low price of $299.

Manufactured by Microsoft partners like Asus, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Dell, the headsets were shown briefly, and in little detail. But we saw just enough to raise a lot of questions about how they'll actually work - and what they'll mean for virtual reality.

We're partnering with top PC makers to build a range of innovative VR headsets starting at $299. Coming in 2017. …

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Microsoft’s Surface Studio could change how you think about Windows

2016-10-26T15:37:29-04:00

Microsoft's biggest product announcement at its Windows 10 event this morning was the Surface Studio, an all-in-one iMac-lookalike that breaks from tradition by folding down into a tilted canvas. It's a gorgeous device, but its hallmark feature could also come off like a gimmick at first glance. On deeper inspection, it's clear that Microsoft has a grander ambitions for its convertible desktop. The company wants to reorient how consumers think about the PC, from a stodgy platform for office work and games into an art station capable of striking at the heart of Apple's creative demographic.

Until today, Microsoft's most effective pitch was t …

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Like Microsoft and the 1990s, 3D graphics are cool again

2016-10-26T15:20:04-04:00

I grew up on Microsoft Paint as a PC kid in the 1990s. So when Microsoft showed off a new version of its storied software today, updated to make it easy for anyone to create objects and scenes in 3D, I felt a stab of excitement imagining how my own kids might experiment with these new tools. Microsoft's insistence that 3D is something new and futuristic aside - 3D graphics have been around for decades and will forever be associated in my mind with terrible '90s web art - Microsoft executives actually made a convincing case that they would be able to breathe new life into a form that never quite caught on with the masses.

3D was highlighted …

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Watch Microsoft’s Surface PC event in under 9 minutes

2016-10-26T14:03:45-04:00

Microsoft just spent a full two hours presenting the future of Windows 10 and its Surface line on stage in New York City. And it wasn't exactly padding out that time - aside from a lengthy demo of Paint (something I think no one expected in 2016), Microsoft really did have a lot to cover. You can read our roundup right here, and above, you can watch our trimmed down cut of the two-hour event, which puts it all into a much snappier eight-and-a-half minute presentation. When you're done, you can check out our hands on with the new Surface Studio right here.

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Microsoft Surface Studio PC announced for $2,999, coming this holiday

2016-10-26T11:20:04-04:00

Microsoft's Surface family has officially expanded to include the desktop. The company just announced the Surface Studio at today's event in New York City. It will be available "in limited quantities" this holiday for $2,999, $3,499, or $4,199, depending on hardware options. Preorders begin today, and the Studio will also be showcased in Microsoft retail stores ahead of its release. "We totally believe that Surface changes the way you produce, the way you create, the way you learn," said Panos Panay, who leads Microsoft's devices team. "The product I'm going to show you is all of that - but it's one step further. It's going to seem familiar, …

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Microsoft announces upgraded Surface Book with 16-hour battery life, for $2,399

2016-10-26T11:18:25-04:00

Microsoft just showed off an updated version of its Surface Book laptop that comes with 30 percent more battery life and double the graphics performance of the most powerful Surface Book currently available. Microsoft says the updated Surface Book is the most powerful version it's ever produced, featuring latest Intel i7 processor, a redesigned cooling system with an additional fan to keep those processors running at full strength, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M GPU pushing 1.9 teraflops of graphics performance, and 16 hours of battery life.

All of those improvements are shoved into the existing Surface Book frame, with which was announced one y …

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T-Mobile just leaked a Windows 10 VR phone

2016-10-26T11:17:47-04:00

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During Microsoft's Windows 10 event in New York City today, it looks like T-Mobile jumped the gun and posted the product page for a new Windows 10 smartphone designed for virtual reality. It's an old phone - the Alcatel Idol 4S to be specific. The device was released back in July running Android, and it was sold bundled with a low-cost VR headset similar to the Samsung Galaxy VR. It looks like Microsoft has teamed up with Alcatel to sell its own version of the Idol 4S running Windows 10 Mobile, while it seems customers still get the VR headset with the package.

"The next great frontier of entertainment and information is here, and the Idol …

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Microsoft is bringing player-created e-sports tournaments to Xbox Live next year

2016-10-26T11:06:23-04:00

Microsoft is expanding its Arena platform by letting players create their own competitive gaming tournaments. First launched in preview back in October, Arena is an e-sports platform that lets players compete in organized tournaments through Xbox Live. Previously Arena tournaments were organized by Microsoft, game developers, and e-sports organizations, but today's news means that eventually players will be able to start their own custom tournaments as well. "We want to give gamers the ability to create their own tournaments and challenges," Microsoft's Jenn McCoy explained. Microsoft says that the player-created tournaments will be availabl …

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Microsoft announces new VR headsets for Windows 10, starting at $299

2016-10-26T10:51:31-04:00

Microsoft's partners will ship a new line of virtual reality headsets to take advantage of Windows 10's VR and holographic capabilities. At today's event, Microsoft said that the headsets will start at $299 and will include inside-out tracking sensors, obviating the need for external cameras or laser systems like those on the current Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer are all listed as partners.

While relatively little is known about the headsets, the six-degree-of-freedom tracking system sounds similar to Oculus' Santa Cruz prototype, which also includes inside-out tracking. They are distinct from Microsoft HoloLens, …

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