Microsoft’s reveal emphasized innovation, introducing cutting-edge Surface devices, integrated with AI enhancements. This reveal wasn’t just about hardware; Microsoft’s AI ambitions were clear. They promise a synergy between Surface capabilities and AI, transforming user experiences. This reveal marks a new era for Microsoft’s technological ecosystem.
In a departure from the norm of real-time streaming, Microsoft is gearing up for a special event in New York City that promises to redefine the landscape of technology. The event, scheduled for Thursday, September 21st, marks a pivotal moment for the tech giant as it unveils a new lineup of Surface devices and groundbreaking AI features set to transform Windows, Office, Bing, and more. This event holds particular significance as it follows the departure of Panos Panay, the former overseer of Windows and Surface.
Event Details:
The press event will commence at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET and represents the first in-person Surface event since the pandemic. Notably, Panos Panay won’t be presenting, but industry enthusiasts can expect to hear from Yusuf Mehdi, head of consumer marketing, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The event venue is set in New York City.
How to Watch:
Unlike past events, the Microsoft special event won’t be broadcast live. Instead, it will be recorded and made available for public release a few hours later, starting at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET, on Microsoft’s dedicated event website.
New Surface Devices:
While AI takes center stage, the event also shines a spotlight on new Surface devices, generating considerable excitement within the tech community. Three notable Surface devices are expected to make their debut:
Surface Laptop Studio 2: This device is generating buzz for its impressive internals, including Intel’s 13th Gen processors and Nvidia’s RTX 4060. Most notably, it is anticipated to feature a remarkable 64GB of RAM, a first for Surface devices. Additional enhancements like a microSD card slot and a USB-A port aim to boost storage and peripheral compatibility, with shipments rumored to begin on October 3rd.
Surface Go 4: This successor to the Surface Go 3 is expected to feature an Intel N200 processor, while its design remains consistent with the previous model. Visuals of the device are yet to surface, but it’s poised to continue its predecessor’s legacy.
Surface Laptop Go 3: The design of this device closely mirrors its predecessor, but it’s anticipated to feature Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs. Shipping is expected to start in early October.
Windows Receives AI Upgrades:
The event will introduce new AI-powered enhancements for Windows, accompanied by an update to Windows 11, codenamed 23H2. A major feature to watch for is “Windows Copilot,” an AI “personal assistant” slated for release by the end of the month.
Beyond Copilot, recent updates to native Windows apps like the Snipping Tool and Photos reveal AI functionality, including text extraction from screenshots and depth of field effects for images. The venerable Paint app is also set to receive AI features, enhancing image creation with text-to-image prompts. Additionally, the Photos app may introduce a feature for subject identification and isolation in images.
These enhancements will serve as foundational blocks for Microsoft’s future AI strategies, aligning with Panos Panay’s vision of AI reinventing the Windows experience.
Surface Gets an AI Boost:
Microsoft’s Surface team has been integrating AI functionalities, starting with the Arm-powered Surface Pro X in 2020. Features like Windows Studio Effects, aimed at enhancing video calls, have run on a specialized neural processing unit (NPU). The forthcoming Surface Laptop Studio 2 is expected to continue this trend with its dedicated NPU.
Furthermore, the integration of AI in Surface devices extends to camera technology, paving the way for additional Surface accessories with AI capabilities.
What About Office and Bing?
The event is not solely dedicated to Surface and Windows updates but also promises to unveil Microsoft’s Copilot features for Microsoft 365 and Office apps. These AI-driven capabilities encompass instant document summarization, streamlined email generation, and expedited Excel analyses, making them highly anticipated by enterprise users.
In addition to Office, Bing Chat Enterprise, an enterprise-grade version of Bing Chat, may transition from preview to full-fledged service. Updates for both consumer and enterprise versions of Bing Chat are also expected.
Last year’s event brought forth a range of innovations, including new Surface devices, software updates, and AI enhancements in Microsoft Teams. This year’s event appears poised to continue the tradition of unveiling groundbreaking technology and AI advancements.
Stay tuned for the Microsoft special event on September 21st, 2023, as it sets the stage for a future powered by AI and innovative technology.