On September 21, Microsoft will be hosting a highly anticipated special event at 10 AM ET. While details about the event’s content are sparse, the timing suggests that it will likely revolve around the unveiling of a new line of Surface products. Unfortunately, there will not be a livestream available for the event, but interested viewers can watch the event in its entirety at 1 PM ET through Microsoft’s website. Additionally, the official Microsoft Surface YouTube channel will have a stream available after the event for those who missed the live broadcast. For real-time updates and coverage of the event, a liveblog will run alongside the morning proceedings.
It is worth noting that Microsoft typically holds its annual hardware event in October, but this year it seems that the company has chosen to stick to late September. While Microsoft has not officially confirmed what products will be revealed, industry rumors suggest that there will likely be a refresh to the popular Surface Laptop Studio hybrid device. Enthusiasts can expect this new iteration to bring a much-needed boost in performance. Additionally, there might also be an unveiling of the highly anticipated Surface Laptop Go 2, a successor to the current model, which is considered underpowered due to its aging 11th Gen Intel chipset.
In keeping with tradition, Microsoft often surprises its audience with unexpected announcements during its annual event. There is a possibility that the Surface Pro 9 or the Surface Laptop 5 will receive updates, although nothing has been confirmed. Another product that may benefit from a hardware overhaul is the desktop Surface Studio 2+, which is beginning to show its age and could use some much-needed attention. However, it is unlikely that the rumored follow-up to the dual-screen smartphone, the Surface Duo, will be unveiled during this event.
This is the year 2023, and Planet Earth is steeped in advancing artificial intelligence. Given this context, it is expected that Microsoft will also have some exciting AI news to share during the event. Panos Panay, the Surface product lead and Windows 11 guru, who has been a strong advocate for integrating AI into the operating system, recently announced his departure from the company after nearly 20 years. With Panay’s expertise and Microsoft’s commitment to AI, it is highly likely that the event will feature significant updates and advancements in this field.
Looking back at last year’s event, Microsoft introduced the Surface Studio 2+, an all-in-one desktop computer, along with the Surface Laptop 5 and the Surface Pro 9. Additionally, there were significant software announcements that accompanied the hardware reveals. Notably, Microsoft Teams received AI integrations, further enhancing its capabilities and functionalities.
As the date draws nearer, anticipation for Microsoft’s special event continues to grow. Enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the new Surface products and the potential surprises that Microsoft has in store. Whether it’s a refresh to existing devices or the introduction of groundbreaking AI technology, this event promises to be an exciting showcase of Microsoft’s commitment to innovation and the future of technology.