news Microsoft’s new range of Surface convertible table devices will launch in Australia in mid-November, the global technology giant announced this week, as well as a clutch of new Lumia-branded handsets to keep Windows mobile enthusiasts happy.
In the United States this week Microsoft made a number of key announcements regarding new hardware and software aimed at both consumers as well as business professionals.
Probably the headline announcement was Microsoft’s Surface Book — a convertible laptop which features a 13.5” display that can support both stylus and touch input and can convert into a tablet when detached from its keyboard and trackpad. However, the company also announced an upgraded version 4 of its Surface Pro tablet.
In a statement, Microsoft Australia said the Surface Book would start in Australia at A$2,299, whil the Surface Pro 4 would start at A$1,349. “Surface Book, Surface Pro 4 and new accessories are available for preorder in Australia from October 7, then for purchase on November 12, with additional markets to follow,” the company said.
Microsoft’s new flagship mobile phone is the Lumia 950, a 5.2” device which comes with a 20 megapixel rear camera and a liquid cooling system for its components. There’s also a Lumia 950 XL model, with a similar featureset as the Lumia 950 but a larger 5.7” screen, and the Lumia 550, an entry-level model with a 5” screen and a 5 megapixel camera.
“Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will become available in Australia before Christmas; local pricing and availability to follow,” the company said. It did not disclose local launch timing for the Lumia 550.
Microsoft also announced the Microsoft Band 2 — a fitness band with a curved display and a heart rate monitor and on-board GPS which is billed at being able to support a two-day battery life. It is not clear when the device will be available in Australia.
Microsoft also made a number of other announcements, including a holiday console and game bundle starting at A$499 for its Xbox One console, as well as making available its HoloLens computer for developers and offering a Display Dock — which allows Lumia phones to act as PCs by connecting to a monitor.
“With Windows 10 and these new Microsoft devices, you are at the centre of magical new experiences,” said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “We’re moving people from needing to choosing to loving Windows, and these devices promise to fuel even more enthusiasm and opportunity for the entire Windows ecosystem.”
The news appears to position Microsoft squarely against its main rivals Apple and Google on a number of fronts. Apple recently launched its new iPhone models in Australia, and Google has also announced a cluster of phone and tablet devices.
opinion/analysis
Very strong product launch for a rejuvenated Microsoft here under new chief excutive Satya Nadella. Finally, the company’s product lines are starting to come together, and we’re starting to see products that could compete strongly with Apple and Google. The Verge’s comments on Microsoft’s new products are quite telling:
“After years of confusing strategic decisions, canceled products, and embarrassing mobile miscues, Microsoft is clearly reinvigorated and focused under CEO Satya Nadella. It’s making some big moves with exciting products, and isn’t afraid to throw punches or draw stark comparisons with competitors. Most importantly, after today’s presentation it’s also clear Microsoft has a charismatic stage presence to communicate those messages to the public in the form of VP Panos Panay.
The New Microsoft needed to present a cohesive vision today, one of integrated software and hardware that looks ahead to a future of usable devices and ecosystems, instead of simply sitting back and counting on tired brands like Windows to do the heavy lifting. Mission accomplished.”
I predict that both the Surface line and the Lumia line will continue to see strong interest from major Australian organisations. Microsoft’s integration between its enterprise IT and consumer product lines continues to grow, making the purchasing decision quite easy for IT departments.
Image credit: Microsoft
Google Apps for Business makes a lot of sense for agile SMBs, but Exchange on Azure is definitely going to start eating back into that pie. For enterprise customers it makes a very great deal of sense – due to Internet infrastructure limitations Azure is not a good fit as replacement for on premises Domain Controllers or file servers (unless you have fibre), but it is compelling for Exchange, to the point where very good arguments would be needed for not upgrading existing on-premises Exchange servers to Azure now. Tight integration with a new device ecosystem with both Microsoft’s new products and new Skylake products on Windows 10 is making both the user experience and ease of deployment and management difficult to ignore.
I’m hoping the Lumia 950XL comes out in late November or early December through Telstra. I’d love to use the “New Phone Feeling” thing I’m paying for, and the 950XL looks like a bigger/better phone than my 930.
I’ve also looked at the pricing for the Surface Book with an i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and nVidia GPU… $2949 from MS is very steep, and not a price I can afford, though it does look awesome, and I really want one…
But can we install Linux, that is the only question to be answered :)
@wt You don’t even need to install Linux – just fire up the VM from the gallery and you’ve got it https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/virtual-machines/linux-and-open/
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