october 6 "surprise announcement" predictions - crystal ball time

[Tom87]

Couple of guesses from me:

Surface Pro 4
Surface Pro 4 XL (14")
A bunch of universal apps announced
...including Halo 5 Forge universal app for Windows 10/Windows 10 on Xbox

 

[Draconica5]

At the state of MS right now, nothing really surprise me at all. They need to done a lot of things right before do something unforeseeable.

The only thing that will surprise me is the new surface pen with better pressure sensitive and tilt support. But it's Microsoft, so it may too good to be true.

 

[Implement]

-A smartwatch. (Will buy the Microsoft Band 2 regardless but would prefer more of a watch style).

-As part of the patent agreement, Google and Microsoft will allow Project Astoria to use either a choice of Google or Microsoft services. This would mean that Windows Phone would run EVERY android app, regardless of what services it was tied to.

-Project Islandwood does the same as above. Meaning Windows Phone can run IOS, Android, or Universal apps.

-The Lumia 950/XL has a NFC payment system.

-Both the 950 and 950XL support pen input.

-The phones will support UHS-II rated SD cards, allowing 4K video capture directly to SD card.

-The Surface Pro 4 will be the same price as the Surface Pro 3 was when it released.

-That the Microsoft Band 2 will be included with all Lumia 950 and 950XL purchases.

-The Continuum dock will actually be a "dock" for your phone, like the ACER Jade Primo's dock.

-Wireless charging will be integrated in both phones.

-Wnidows 10 Mobile will go RTM.

-They will preview making telephone calls and reading text messages on Windows 10 PC's when they are connected to Windows Phones.

-All Windows 10 Microsoft apps are Continuum ready.

-Windows 10 Desktop will be getting Edge Browser Extensions in November with a promise of soon(tm) after for their mobile platforms.

-The Surface Pro 4 will have amazing inking capability that rivals artist level wacoms.

-The Surface Pro 4 will support Windows Hello with full RealSense camera.

-The typecover will now act like a hinge allowing "lapability" but be backwards compatible with the older version.

-The Surface 4 dock will have a new version, with maybe USB-C ports. Surface 4 will be backwards compatible with the older version as well.

-A date for Hololens developer kits to go on sale will be announced.

-There will be a Surface Mini, running Core M. As direct competition to IPAD size devices. It will run the full version of Windows 10.

THAT IS MY WISHLIST.

 

[elindalyne]

I would be shocked if we'll be getting a direct interface to GooglePlay or Apple's App store, but I could definitely see them actually announcing a release date for Astoria. Islandwood probably won't get a concrete release date tomorrow.

A direct interface with a different appstore would basically eliminate the Windows Store from existence.

 

[Great deal]

I just pray whatever they release just works without glaring hardware issues like the SP2 BT and WiFi channels using the same frequency and cancelling each other out lol.

 

[Greywolf1967]

Well I already know my 950 XL will release, and a Pen for it........but "1 more thing" would cause me to have my mind blown.....

A Microsoft Smart Watch....not The Band as I don't need a fitness strap. I need something that will do a watch face and allow messages and notification on my wrist, with some music control.

I did my part to try anything and everything to push Microsoft on social media...was in hopes others from here would have joined in to a bigger degree, but none the less I hit Julie Larson-Green, Joe ( Emo Hair) B. , Gabe Aul, Big Man Satya most of the department heads any way.......



I know they will not release it for fear it hurt The Band 2, but I just wish they would develop a non fitness version for us old guys who don't need a strap to tell us we had a good sleep.

 

[HeyCori]

Surprise announcements:

• Microsoft purchased Google from Alphabet
• Windows 10 Mobile upgrades for all Windows Phone 7 users
• Surface Mini (with 1280 x 800 resolution)
• Xbox Box phone
• Continuum now requires a laptop
• $100 for everyone that gets a Windows logo tongue tattoo

 

[Ed Boland]

They're keeping a really tight lid on the "Surface Pro 4". There's literally not one single shred of leaked info on this device anywhere on the Internet. A guy that I know who works for MS says the new Surface is much more than anyone is expecting. I'm expecting a few more surprises as well.

Talked to him again today.. And he told me to wait for the Surface Phones coming in January. (He was definitely right on about the new Surface being way more than anyone was expecting!)