New Surfaces. New flagship Lumia phones. Maybe even a new wearable. Microsoft could make its fans very happy on October 6, if the company comes through with new devices at an event planned for that day.
“We have some exciting news to share about Windows 10 devices,” reads the teaser to an invitation sent to reporters to attend an event in New York City.
The invitation did not include any other relevant information—or, it must be said, that any new devices would be launched or discussed. Reports have indicated, however, that Microsoft has an enormous launch underway.
Supposedly, Microsoft plans to launch at least one new model, and most likely two, of its Surface tablets. Intel recently launched its new Skylake processors, which include both new versions of the Core m as well as specific models designed for tablets. (The Lenovo Ideapad Miix 700, a Surface clone, uses the new Core m chip.) Microsoft shipped the Surface Pro 3 more than a year ago, and both tablets combined have contributed significantly to Microsoft’s device revenue.
Microsoft’s Lumia phones, meanwhile, have struggled. Microsoft is expected to launch two new flagship phones, dubbed ‘Talkman’ and ‘Cityman’ at the launch, in a bid to catch up with the Apple iPhone 6s and flagship phones running the Android operating system.
Then there’s the Microsoft Band, a productivity wearable that launched as the market for wearables looms somewhat doubtful. The Band itself is quite good at what it does, though it lacks the third-party apps that have differentiated the Apple Watch.
Why this matters: Though it was founded as a software company, Microsoft’s device business commands respect. Microsoft has already shown that it plans to break trail in the space, designing products that expand the ecosystem for Microsoft devices. We already have some excellent productivity devices in hand; does Microsoft have a surprise in store?