Microsoft is gearing up for a “special event” in New York City, scheduled for September 21st, where it is set to unveil three new Surface devices and showcase the integration of AI-powered features across Windows, Office, Bing, Surface, and more.
Here, we’ll provide details on when and how you can tune in to the event live and delve into the exciting product announcements we anticipate from Microsoft.
When is Microsoft’s “special event” happening?
The event kicks off at 7AM PT / 10AM ET on Thursday, September 21st, marking Microsoft’s first in-person Surface event since the pandemic. While former Windows and Surface head Panos Panay won’t be presenting, we can expect to see Yusuf Mehdi, head of consumer marketing, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella making appearances. The event will take place in New York City.
How can I tune in to Microsoft’s event?
Microsoft won’t be livestreaming the event, but The Verge will be live-blogging it as it happens, starting at 7AM PT / 10 AM ET. They will cover all the announcements in real-time. Microsoft will later post a recording of the event at 10AM PT / 1PM ET on the company’s event site.
Three New Surface Devices
Microsoft is rumored to introduce three new Surface devices at this event. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 has already leaked, featuring Intel’s 13th Gen processors, Nvidia’s RTX 4060, a microSD card slot, and a USB-A port. It retains the design of the original, with a flexible display that transforms from laptop to tablet. Notably, it’s expected to be the first Surface device with 64GB of RAM and is rumored to start shipping on October 3rd.
In addition to the Surface Laptop Studio 2, the Surface Go 4 and Surface Laptop Go 3 are expected to be announced. The Surface Go 4 is set to include an Intel N200 processor, following the postponement of an Arm processor version. While images of the Surface Go 4 haven’t surfaced yet, it’s likely to maintain a similar design to its predecessor. Images of the Surface Laptop Go 3 have also leaked, featuring Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs and an expected release in early October.
Windows AI Features
Microsoft will unveil new AI-powered features for Windows during this special event. Among them is Windows Copilot, an AI “personal assistant” set to be part of the Windows 11 (23H2) update, expected to release by the end of September. This update will bring a range of enhancements to Windows 11, with Copilot being a prominent addition.
While Copilot is a highlight, Microsoft may announce more AI-powered features for Windows apps. Recent developments include AI features in apps like Snipping Tool and Photos, offering text extraction from screenshots and background blur for photos. Paint is also rumored to receive AI enhancements, enabling text-to-image prompts for automatic image generation. Photos could get a new feature for identifying people or objects in photos and enabling cut-and-paste operations, similar to iOS.
Surface AI Features
Microsoft’s Surface team has been integrating AI features for some time, with innovations like Windows Studio Effects. These features, initially available on Arm-powered Surface devices, enhance video calls by automatically adjusting eye contact through the camera.
Rumors suggest the Surface Laptop Studio 2 might feature its dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), continuing Microsoft’s AI-focused approach. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 mobile processors and Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake chips are also expected to support AI capabilities, suggesting that AI-driven experiences will become more prevalent on Windows devices.
Office and Bing AI Features
The event won’t be limited to Surface and Windows; it’s likely to delve into Microsoft’s AI plans for Office and Bing. Microsoft’s Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Office apps, announced earlier, will likely take center stage. It promises document summarization, email generation, and accelerated Excel analysis, aimed at boosting productivity for enterprise users.
Additionally, we may hear updates on Bing Chat Enterprise, which offers commercial data protection. The event could unveil new features for both the consumer and enterprise versions of Bing Chat, providing enhanced communication capabilities.
Stay tuned for Microsoft’s exciting event, where AI-driven innovation will take the spotlight across a range of products and services.
