Microsoft's Surface Hub 2 sports a 4K+ display and gravity-defying hinge

In March, Microsoft gave a surprise preannouncement for the Surface Hub 2. The news was petty more a heads-upward that refreshed hardware was planned, but more info was expected during "kickoff half of this year."

Today is that day. Microsoft officially gave united states the outset preview of Surface Hub 2, and while at that place are still many details to be adamant later this year, the video revealing the collaborative function PC is impressive.

The all new Surface Hub 2

The Microsoft Surface Hub ii features a 50.5-inch "more than than 4K" display with a familiar iii:2 aspect ratio. There is also a 4K video camera, built-in speakers, a new Surface Pen (more like a marker), far-field microphone array, and a nigh bezel-less screen.

The hugger-mugger mojo though is that the new Surface Hub 2 tin now rotate on an ingenious new hinge that lets users quickly switch the behemothic computer from mural to portrait orientations. The large Surface tin can be mounted to a wall or on a new roller cart to go far more than mobile.

Companies with deep pockets tin splurge for 2 Surface Hub 2's placed adjacent in landscape, or up to 4 Surface Hub 2'due south mounted adjacently in portrait way. The PCs tin can then operate independently or together.

The Surface Hub 2 as well features a thumbprint login system for Windows Hullo, and in a new twist, the Os lets two users simultaneously log into the PC to share information in real time between accounts.

Ii users can at present log into Windows at the same time with only a thumb printing.

Windows 10 PCs and those using Microsoft Teams on any device (iOS, Android, or Windows) tin can interact with Surface Hub two direct and in "dynamic collaboration" using apps similar OneNote, Teams, and Whiteboard in the office or beyond the earth.

The other modification from the original Surface Hub is at that place is now simply one size available versus the initial pick between 55-inch and 84-inch. Microsoft gave the states the following rationale for the modify:

Microsoft believes customers investing in collaborative computing solutions at-scale are looking for lite-weight, flexible platforms that can meet the needs of a wide diverseness of spaces beyond their organization. Deploying custom solutions in a small number of rooms is extremely expensive and does not serve most of the population within a given office, let-alone company-broad. Surface Hub 2's modular production design allows for a much more affordable and dynamic solution that can calibration from a personal office all the mode up to a large 4-screen collaboration wall.

Early testing with select Microsoft partners for Surface Hub 2 will brainstorm after this year, and general purchasing and shipments should start in 2022.

Pricing has non been determined, merely Microsoft tells the states it is in line with "similar devices" (the last-gen 55-inch Surface Hub costs $8,999, and so it won't likely be inexpensive).

What we don't know nearly Surface Hub 2

Surface Hub ii hands shifts between portait and landscape thank you to a new circular swivel.

While there is much more to talk about with Surface Hub 2, especially with that new sizzler promo, at that place is plenty we practise not know, including:

Verbal cost and local availability.
If there is an internal bombardment for when mobile (on a cart).
If the 4K photographic camera will be sold separately.
Processor, ports, and total specifications.

Those details are coming, and we expect a hands-on experience soon with Surface Hub 2.

First glimpse of Windows Cadre OS?

The Surface Hub two can exist placed on a rolling mount to exist brought around the function.

Windows Primal Senior Writer Zac Bowden noted in February that Microsoft "is building an army of devices that are designed to work together" focusing on "collaboration, productivity, and 3D/Mixed Reality" with callouts to Surface Hub 2, HoloLens two, and the rumored "Andromeda" foldable PC

Today'south announcement from Microsoft seems to fall in line with that reporting.

Looking more closely at the Surface Hub two video the Os is a variant of Windows 10. Nosotros have long reported that C-shell and Windows Cadre OS would ship with Surface Hub ii (codenamed "Aruba"; encounter as well "Polaris") and nosotros still believe that is the case (especially with the dual-login feature and full general UI changes).

When asked, Microsoft would just say that the Bone seen here is "built from Windows 10 with a focus on a collaborative environment." This is likely how Microsoft will publicly talk almost Windows Core Bone versus announcing something new and causing defoliation.

Also spotted in the Surface Hub 2 is dynamic wallpaper that moves in the background, another feature we have heard is coming to Windows Cadre OS.

Microsoft informs usa that the original Surface Hub will become "the same great features and updates that were built for Surface Hub 2" through a software update for current Hub customers.

Who is Surface Hub 2 for?

Existent-time colloboration is now life-size with Surface Hub 2.

Microsoft sees the future of the role as collaboration. Speculating that hereafter Surface devices – even unannounced ones – volition participate in this new manner of working is not a stretch.

More than to the point of Surface Hub 2, Microsoft references that millennials and Generation Z are quickly becoming the dominant age grouping in the workforce. These users are "digitally native" and expect to work together, while also being artistic on the chore. With Surface Hub two, Microsoft is merely responding to that by asking "how can nosotros assist people be artistic ... and share their ideas."

Surface Hub 2 lets users create and share while too allowing the device to exist in coming together rooms, huddle spaces, or even private offices. With a single thumbprint login, the OS pulls in your documents and information for the deject for a glimpse of what "edge computing" really ways.

Why announce Surface Hub 2 now?

Up to 4 Surface Hub 2s tin can be mounted together operating in unison or independetly.

Businesses and institutions that program long term around information technology (Information technology) and hardware need a long on-ramp. Microsoft knows this process tin take some companies upwards to 18 months to switch over afterward initial planning and budgeting, making the enterprise space vastly different from the immediacy of the consumer market.

Presumably, companies volition starting time to plan out for Surface Hub 2 – including the loftier cost tag for budgets – now with apprehension to coil it out in 2022 and 2022. Microsoft is also giving companies a nod that they should probable pass on buying a new Surface Hub, or whatsoever other competitor in the market, as something better is on the way.

The original Surface Hub was one of Microsoft's nigh successful businesses Surfaces to date with more than 5,000 customers across 25 markets, according to the company. Microsoft looks to continue that momentum with Surface Hub 2 and working closely with electric current customers first.

We can assume Microsoft volition share more about Surface Hub 2 in the coming months. The Microsoft Ignite conference is in September, making it an splendid opportunity for a more than all-encompassing public reveal, merely Microsoft has not yet committed to any such plans.

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