Report: New Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Lumias, Band 2 Set for October Debut
Microsoft (MSFT) will roll out an updated Surface Pro, two new Lumia smartphones and the next version of its fitness Band at an October splash, according to reports.
Chinese website WPDang first reported details of the vendor’s plans to showcase the Surface Pro 4, Lumia handsets and Band 2 and The Verge followed up with more information. Apparently, Microsoft may have a couple of surprises in mind, perhaps the long-rumored Surface Mini the vendor abruptly scrapped last year or other Surface models, reports said.
In addition, there’s been a suggestion or two that the vendor could unwrap a new, streamlined Xbox One but the absence of any leaks, rumors, innuendo or scuttlebutt surrounding such a product makes it less likely the vendor has it in mind to show off at the October event, the report said.
The stars of the October event are said to be the Surface Pro 4 and the two Lumia smartphones, with the latter rumored for months to be a Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.
Since the Lumia handsets and Surface Pro upgrade will be the first mobile devices Microsoft has introduced fitted to Windows 10 mobile, how the vendor positions the units will be of keen interest to enterprise mobility-focused channel partners.
According to The Verge, the Surface Pro 4 will not mark a significant departure from the Surface Pro 3, with Microsoft already confirming it hasn’t fiddled with the form factor, in a nod to business customers who’ve already bought docking stations and other accessories.
However, there’s always the possibility the vendor will slim down the unit in thickness and weight and alter the size of the display and its resolution, as The Verge suggested. A fingerprint scanner housed on an upgraded keyboard also seems likely, the report said.
As for the fitness Band 2, it will be interesting to see how far Microsoft has taken it with new features and usability.
The report said Microsoft won’t be introducing the new products at the Berlin IFA show early next month but an official announcement of an October event is expected soon.
