Looking at the Nexus 6P accessories and noting that it needs a car charger. Perhaps third party chargers will work? #

What I am most happy about after the Microsoft event is that the new Surface Tablet Pen will work with the Surface 3. I hope it doesn't cost too much. #

I am thinking that a wired connection to the Microsoft Display Dock is going to be a deal breaker for Continuum. On the griping hand, my experience with Miracast tells me that wireless display tech doesn't seem to have the right performance. Although, Google Chromecast seems to do the job, I wish there was a way to send an entire computer display to a Chromecast like you can with Android. #

A closer look at Microsoft's new Surface Book laptop. I wonder whether the gap that Surface Book has when closed will be a problem?#

Google released Android 6, Marshmallow yesterday, so now I am waiting for it to be pushed to my Nexus 9. I am hoping it is more stable on the Nexus 9 than Lollipop, and I am also looking forward to seeing what Doze mode does for battery life.#

Click to expand my notes below.#

Pre-event#

In a few minutes Microsoft will begin their event in New York, during which I am expecting they will announce a new Surface Pro and two new Lumia phones.#

The Twitter hash tag is #Windows10devices#

Intro#

It appears that Microsoft is having some challenges with their live stream. Lots of bufferring.#

This event is one of Steve Job's legacies on the tech industry. Notice the common structure across Apple, Google, and Microsoft events?#

#

Mixed Reality Gaming on Hololens#

Project X-Ray#

Holograms that you can hold. Incorporates images and 3D objects within the room that you are in. #

Some debate about whether what we saw in the video is what is actually seen in the "goggles." #

Taking applications for Hololens dev kit, 1Q2016, costs $3000. #

Band#

Pushed fitness features.#

Curves around the list. Has Gorilla 3 glass. Built-in GPS, UV monitor. #

Cortana integration. #

Integration with Microsoft Health (big data) for data analysis. #

Pre-order today for $249#

Lumia#

950 and 950 XL#

The 950 will cost $549 and and the XL will cost $649. There will also be a low-end model, the 550, that will cost $139.#

Liquid cooling? #

OLED screens#

Continuum#

Microsoft display dock looks like a hockey puck#

Surface#

Microsoft claims Surface created the 2-in-1. #

Acknowledges that their competitors have validated the Surface.#

12.3 inch screen. 267 PPI#

PixelSense: Pen and Touch chipset. The Pen now has an eraser. #

Pen magnetically attaches to the Surface. #

Interchangeable pen tips: specific feel to the type of writing. Writing, draw, etc...#

Max 16 GB RAM, 1 TB of storage. 8.4 mm thin. #

Type cover has a larger touchpad and the keys have a little more space between them. #

Fingerprint reader. #

Available 10/26, starts at $899#

Surface Book laptop#

Dynamic fulcrum hing, looks like will provide unlimited number of positions#

The screen detaches from the base and flips back. #

13.5 inch screen, 6 million pixels. #

Glass trackpad with 5 points of touch#

12 hours of batter life#

The Surface dock works with the Surface Book, along with the Surface Pro 4 and 3#

Available October 26, starts at $1499#

The GPU is in the base. #

Supports the Surface Pen, my guess is that you will have to buy the Pen separately. #

CEO Wrap-up#

Build devices to create "magical experiences." Microsoft in the experience business. #

Plan to invent new personal computers and new personal computing.#

Building the most productive phones on the planet. Continuum emphasizes the idea that the phone is your only computing device. One issue I see with Continuum is that it requires you to plug in a cable to the phone, and I am not sure that is something people want; need to get this connection wireless.#

Empower every person on the planet to achieve more. We make things that help you make things. This is Microsoft's statement of why they exist. #

My reactions#

It is going to come down to quality. Will that hing on the Surface Book hold up over time? Is Windows 10 going to keep running as we have come to expect from a tablet OS, or will there continue to be crashes (BSOD) for which Windows is known? #

Microsoft now has a full range of devices, from the wrist with Band, to the pocket with Lumia, to your arms with Surface, and your lap with Surface Book. Once Hololens ships, Microsoft will also have a device for your eyes. In short, rather than moving away from Ballmer's devices vision for Microsoft, Nadella has filled out/completed the devices vision. #

The pricing might be problematic for the Lumias, I think they should have pushed to get the price of the 950 below $500. Will the 550 work with the display dock to support Continuum. #

The high price of the Lumia means that Microsoft has to convince users that they want Continuum. Another approach is to provide it on low cost devices, get people to buy the device because of the features you get for the low cost, and discover that Continuum enables the phone to be their only computing device from the desk to the pocket. #

Microsoft Band.#

Microsoft Lumia 950 - Smartphones - Microsoft - USA.#

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL - Smartphones - Microsoft - USA.#

Microsoft Display Dock - Microsoft - USA.#

Surface Pro 4 – Power Through Your Day.#

Surface Tablet Pen - Write, draw, or mark-up documents digitally.#

Surface Book - The ultimate laptop.#

© 2015 Frank McPherson.
Last update: Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 3:59 PM.
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