Computex 2015: Microsoft showcases new Windows 10 devices from partners and broadens the ecosystem opportunity
03 Jun, 2015, 08:30 BST
- Nick Parker, Microsoft corporate vice president, demonstrates the latest Windows hardware innovations and details new IoT agreement with Toshiba.
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wednesday during a keynote address at the Taipei International Convention Center, Nick Parker, corporate vice president OEM Division, Microsoft Corp., discussed how Windows 10 is enabling the next generation of devices and cloud-based solutions. Parker highlighted the vast opportunities that Windows 10 creates for partners to grow their businesses by selling the innovative Windows 8.1 devices that are in the marketplace now, promoting the great experience that Windows 10 will offer on those devices when upgraded, and building new hardware across traditional and emerging device categories. These new devices will bring Windows 10 to life when it becomes available in 190 countries around the world on July 29 and in the following months.
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Parker was joined onstage by Tony Prophet, corporate vice president for Windows and Search Marketing, and Roanne Sones, general manager of Windows Engineering. Prophet highlighted the ambitious goal of 1 billion devices running Windows 10 in the next two to three years and discussed how Microsoft will drive excitement and demand for Windows 10 and new devices. Sones demonstrated rich new experiences and scenarios that Windows 10 enables including Start menu enhancements, universal apps and drivers, multitasking, and PC security features. She demonstrated the latest innovations in Cortana,1 Continuum, Microsoft Edge and Windows Hello,2 and she discussed how DirectX 12 will improve the gaming experience, as well as the opportunity for OEMs to develop unique hardware to light up these new capabilities.
Parker shared Microsoft's commitment to hardware partners to foster opportunities, drive innovation, increase demand and grow the market for Windows devices. "Our device partners continue to push the envelope of innovation, developing stunning PCs that are sure to delight customers," said Parker. "And our commitment to broaden the ecosystem opportunity with Windows 10 is revolutionizing how people interact with their devices and create new opportunities for revenue growth."
Parker highlighted an array of devices, some never before seen, designed for Windows 10 including PCs from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Toshiba:
- Acer Z3-710 is an all-in-one PC that delivers powerful computing and enhanced audio in a slim, 1.4-inch-thin chassis.
- ASUS Transformer Book T100HA is a 2-in-1 laptop with a detachable keyboard that boasts up to 14 hours of battery life and a tablet measuring 8.45mm and 580g.
- ASUS Zen AiO Z240 features the latest quad-core Intel Core i7 CPU, gaming-grade NVIDIA GTX 960M graphics, a 3-D camera and a six-speaker stereo sound system.
- Dell XPS 15, shown publicly for the first time and optimized for Windows 10, features the same virtually borderless InfinityEdge display that made the XPS 13 an industry leader.
- A new x2 from HP is a 2-in-1, ultra-portable, "tablet first" detachable — with an innovative magnetic hinge design that makes the device flexible and lappable — and with Windows 10, users can transition seamlessly from tablet to PC mode and back again in an instant.
- A new HP tablet for mobile productivity has revolutionary note-taking capabilities.
- A new Toshiba PC enables Windows Hello with the latest in biometric security technology, including a face-authentication camera, an Ultra HD 4K screen and optimization for Cortana.
In addition Parker demonstrated two new PC form factors:
- FoxConn Kangaroo is an ultra-portable desktop PC that turns your TV into a full Windows PC, including a fingerprint reader to support Windows Hello and up to six hours of battery life.
- Quanta Compute Plug is a mini-PC in a power adapter instead of a stick. Plugged into the HDMI port, it turns a TV into a smart computer and enables users to control their TV using Cortana via Bluetooth remote or headset.
Also showcased was a new GPU from NVIDIA that enables a premium, high-performance gaming experience on Windows 10. GeForce GTX 980 Ti sets a new benchmark in gaming performance, delivering an exciting new level of capabilities with three times the performance and three times the memory than previous generations (versus GTX 680). It gives users the power to play the latest games in stunning 4K resolution and supports key DirectX 12 features such as Volume Tiled Resources and Conservative Rasters to enable striking new graphics effects on Windows 10.
In the emerging category Parker highlighted the Internet of Things (IoT), where connected sensors in equipment and other common devices come together with mobile phones, tablets and the cloud to enable rich new possibilities across a range of industries. Parker announced a new collaboration between Microsoft and Toshiba to build next-generation Windows- and Azure-powered IoT solutions. The companies expect to release a complete offering for the transportation and logistics industry, from devices to services, including state-of-the-art hardware such as an onboard video recorder that can also track vehicle data and analyze driver behavior. This also includes a ruggedized environmental device with up to 12 sensors onboard, a military-grade case and a battery capable of six months' continuous operation that will run on the Azure infrastructure to track shipping and ensure that goods arrive on time, undamaged and in a predictable manner. Parker also showed Crestron Pyng, an elegant home-automation technology powered by Windows embedded services that connects lighting, shades, audio, thermostats, door locks and security systems, and utilizes Azure IoT services so everything works together intelligently to make life easier. Connected devices like these can help both individuals and businesses save time and money.
Microsoft at Computex
Visitors to Computex Taipei this week can view the new Windows 10 devices, along with the ruggedized TZ1000 transportation tracking device from Toshiba, at the Microsoft Booth located in Nangang Exhibition Hall 4F, Area L, booth No. 0110. The show is open through June 6.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
1 Cortana available in select markets at launch; experience may vary by region and device.
2 Windows Hello requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.