What I Expect from Microsoft’s Windows Hardware Event

On October 6, 2015 Microsoft will finally unleash new Windows 10 hardware devices at a special media event in New York City. Here’s what I’m expecting Microsoft to announce at this event.

First, I’m expecting this event to be for Microsoft’s devices only, and not include devices from other companies. I’m told that Microsoft will be holding a separate event in San Francisco later in October for its partners’ devices.

I do expect Microsoft to announce new Lumia flagships, a new Surface Pro 4, and a new Microsoft Band 2 at this event. I was previously told that the Lumias would launch in September and that the Surface launch would be separate. But after internal debates about the relative merits of doing a single big-bang announcement, Microsoft has obviously decided to do it all at once. That is just fine with me.

We’ve already learned everything there is to know about the new Lumia flagships, which will apparently be marketed as the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. There will also be a Continuum dock, codenamed Munckin, and, I think, some other accessories, including special flip cases.

Surface Pro 4 will—I think—share the same basic form factor as Surface Pro 3 but will be thinner and lighter, and will include the latest Intel Skylake processors and—I hope—a Windows Hello-compatible camera.

I’ve not heard a thing about a new Surface mini, but I have heard more nebulously to expect a surprise from Surface. That could be anything, obviously. But I would love to hear about a Windows 10 Mobile-based Surface mini tablet.

Finally, I’ve heard that the Microsoft Band 2 will be smaller, lighter and more comfortable than the original unit, and will be curved, with a curved display. I suspect it will be marketed more broadly than the original as well.

Will there be surprises beyond that? Maybe. Could a lot of this be wrong? Sure. But for the legions of Microsoft watchers waiting for a sign of life, you now have a date to mark on your calendar. See you in New York!