Back in the early aughts, Microsoft released the Presenter 3000, a wireless remote for PowerPoint presentations. Now, two decades later, the company has announced the Presenter+. Like its predecessor, it’s remote you can use for PowerPoint presentations, but it also reflects how work has changed since the start of the pandemic.
Microsoft
You can see that in the design of Presenter+. In addition to the usual slide forward and back buttons, there’s a Microsoft Teams button that allows you to quickly join meetings and raise your hand. If Teams isn’t your jam, Microsoft notes you can use Presenter+ with the majority of other meeting apps, including Zoom. There’s also a big button for muting and unmuting your microphone, and the remote will vibrate when everyone can hear you. Rounding out the package is a nifty charging stand and Bluetooth connectivity. On Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can also customize the buttons to your needs.
Admittedly, it would have been nice if Microsoft had announced the Presenter+ back in 2020 or 2021. That said, there are still plenty of predominantly remote workers who will find the remote useful whether they’re at home or in the office. The Presenter+ will retail for $80. Interestingly, Microsoft notes it's the first presentation control to be certified for Teams, suggesting more on the way from other companies.
Last year's Surface Pro 8 was one of the biggest design upgrades for Microsoft's tablet PC, adding long-awaited features like Thunderbolt 4 and surprising upgrades like a 120Hz display. This year's Surface Pro 9, paradoxically, is both more of the same and a dramatic departure. It has the usual chip refresh — in this case, Intel's far superior 12th-gen CPUs — but there's also a new 5G-equipped model with a custom SQ 3 Arm chip.
If that sounds confusing to you, well, it is. We last saw the company's SQ chip in the 2020 Surface Pro X, a computer that we found both beautiful and frustrating, thanks to Windows' crummy software compatibility with Arm chips. To shift that problem over to a computer with the same name as its Intel sibling is a recipe for disaster. (We can just imagine the frustrated Best Buy shoppers who are dazzled with the idea of a 5G Surface, only to learn they can't run most of their traditional Windows apps.) The 5G Pro 9 is also broken down into millimeter-wave and Sub-6 variants, which will be sold in their respective markets.
Microsoft
It's understandable why Microsoft isn't keen to keep the Surface Pro X moniker going — the Pro 8 lifted many of its modern design cues, after all. But from what we've seen, Windows 11 doesn't solve the problems we initially had with the Pro X.
Beyond the chip updates, the Pro 9 looks mostly the same as its predecessor, with a 13" 120Hz PixelSense display, as well as relatively slim screen bezels. Microsoft claims the 1080p webcam has been improved, and there's also a 4-degree tilt to help keep you centered. You've also got a few bolder colors to choose from, including Sapphire, Forest and a new Liberty London Special Edition. (And yes, before you ask, you'll still have to pick up a Surface Keyboard and Slim Pen 2 separately if you actually want to be productive with the Pro 9.)
Microsoft
Adding to the confusion of having two chip platforms under the same product name, there are several major differences between them. For example, the Intel version can be equipped with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, while the Arm variant is limited to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and a 512GB SSD at most. You'll also lose the two USB-C 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Arm Pro 9 — instead, you'll get two USB-C 3.2 connections. (On the plus side, the 5G model should get up to 19 hours of battery life, 3.5 more hours than the Intel version.)
The Intel-based Surface Pro 9 starts at $999 for a Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and a paltry 128GB of storage, while the cheapest 5G model will run you $1,300 with the same specs. You'll be able to pre-order the Surface Pro 12 in select models starting today, with general availability beginning on October 25th.
In May, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Adaptive kit — a modular mouse, hub and accessories designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind. But the company wasn't ready back then to share the full pricing and availability details, other than saying we would find out more in the fall. Five hot months later, summer is over and at its fall device launch event in New York today, Microsoft delivered the information as promised. Some of it, anyway. The Adaptive Accessories will be available on October 25th "in select markets." Pricing and the specific regions remain unclear.
The company also expanded the portfolio slightly by announcing today that "business and education customers will be able to 3D print adaptive grips from Shapeways for Microsoft Business Pen and Microsoft Classroom Pen 2." Based on the images we've seen, some of these 3D-printed designs appear to make the company's stylus easier to hold, either by making them bigger or adding bulbs or curved parts.
At its New York event today, the company unveiled new hardware including the Surface Pro 9, Laptop 5 and Studio 2+. It also introduced a new audio dock, a Presenter+ remote control for cueing slideshows from afar, as well as a bunch of new software.
Catch up on all the news from Microsoft's Surface Event here!
After a year and a half on the market, this fall Microsoft is updating its mainstream notebook line with the new Surface Laptop 5. Systems will be available in both 13.5 and 15-inch configs with prices starting at $1,000 and $1,200 respectively.
That said, there aren't a ton of changes in store for the Surface Laptop 5, because this time, instead of supporting both Intel and AMD processors, the entire line will be based on Intel's Evo platform. That means in addition to new 12th-gen CPUs, you'll also get support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Microsoft
Other new additions include an updated PixelSense display that now comes with Dolby Vision IQ support, with the 13.5-inch and 15-inch models featuring the same 2256 x 1504 and 2496 x 1664 3:2 resolutions as before. And while the Surface Laptop 5's exterior is largely unchanged, Microsoft has kept one version that comes with Alcantara on its deck while adding a new sage green color option to the mix.
General specs go up to 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. You also get some traditional features like an IR camera for Windows Hello face login (along with a 720p webcam), dual far-field mics and Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos. Battery life also looks quite similar with Microsoft promising up to 18 hours on a charge for the 13-inch Surface Laptop 5 or 17 hours for the 15-inch model.
Microsoft
So all told, while it's nice to get some new silicon, this is a pretty minimal refresh compared to the previous version. The Surface Laptop 5 will be available for pre-order (in select markets) starting today, with official sales beginning on October 25th.
New hardware isn’t the only thing Microsoft had to share at its Surface event. On Wednesday, Chief Product Officer Panos Panay announced Microsoft Designer, a new graphic design offering within the company’s 365 productivity suite. The app features DALL-E 2 integration, allowing you to use the well-known image generator to add supporting art to your social media posts, invitations and documents. In the future, Microsoft plans to bring DALL-E support to Bing and Edge “so you can use your words not just to search but to create.”
The announcement comes just two weeks after OpenAI removed the waiting list that had existed for DALL-E, making the tool more accessible. However, the public debut came with some unanswered questions, ones today’s announcement of Designer doesn’t answer. For instance, it’s unclear if AI-generated images are fair use or stolen. Services like Getty Images have banned the technology in response to copyright concerns. For its part, Microsoft has sometimes tried new AI technologies before backtracking on them as was the case with its Tay chat bot.
Techtober isn't over yet! Today, we're gearing up to cover Microsoft's Surface device event at its NYC store. Senior Editors Sam Rutherford and Devindra Hardawar will be watching the stream and jotting all of their thoughts down in this live blog. And once the stream is over, they'll be on the ground to churn out some hands-on coverage of these new Surface devices. Stay tuned for some deeply nerdy (and hopefully fun!) Surface commentary.
It seems like Microsoft just can't stop confirming Xbox partnerships this week. On Tuesday, Xbox Cloud Gaming support for Meta Quest 2 and some new Chromebooks was announced. Now, Microsoft has linked up with Apple to finally offer an Apple Music app on Xbox consoles.
As spotted by Eurogamer, you can snag the app on an Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S console by searching for it on consoles, or download it remotely from the Microsoft Store. As with other music apps on Xbox, such as Spotify and Pandora, you can listen to Apple Music in the background while you're gaming. In the Apple Music app, you can watch music videos, follow time-synced lyrics while you listen and create playlists. You'll be able to access curated gaming-focused playlists too.
Although Apple Music has been available on PlayStation 5 for the last year, Xbox users have had to wait until almost two years into the Xbox Series X/S lifecycle for the app. Apple TV, on the other hand, has been available on Xbox consoles since the Series X/S debuted in 2020.
The timing of Apple Music's arrival on Xbox is definitely interesting. It comes just ahead of Microsoft's big Surface event. Perhaps there will be a little more Xbox news to come out of that showcase.
Kindle e-readers are already on sale for Prime Day, but the offer just got sweeter if you're looking to buy more than one. Amazon is offering an additional $20 off if you buy two of the latest Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Oasis devices, including variants like the Kids models. You can get a reader for a loved one at a steep discount, for instance, or start your holiday shopping early.
We called the Kindle Paperwhite the best e-reader you can get, and for good reason. It offers an exceptionally easy-to-read display and wireless charging in a high-quality design. You have your choice of capacities, too, while the Kids editions include a 2-year "worry-free" warranty, a cover and a year's subscription to Kids+ content. The Kindle Oasis, meanwhile, is the higher-end model with an auto-adjusting light, page turn buttons and free cellular data for grabbing books away from WiFi.
If there's a catch, it's that these e-readers won't appeal to everyone. The upcoming Kindle Scribe is the spare-no-expense option with pen support and a big 10.2-inch display. At the other end of the spectrum, the new base model is easier to carry. At sale prices, though, the Paperwhite and Oasis are easy choices if you're eager to share your love of reading with someone else.
Like furniture and other home essentials, IoT devices are often expensive and it can be hard to figure out which are right for your space. Thankfully, sales like this October Prime Day can help out with the first problem. A number of smart home devices, including robot vacuums, thermostats, kitchen tech and more, have been discounted for this members-only event. You can pick up some high-end gadgets for hundreds of dollars off, which means you may be able to snag an even better robo-vac than you thought you would thanks to these deals. And if you're looking to pick something up for a loved one, or someone who just moved into a new home as a housewarming gift, now's a great time to do that without breaking the bank. Here are the best robot vacuum deals and smart home gadget sales we found for the Prime Early Access Sale.
Roomba 694
Valentina Palladino / Engadget
The Roomba 694 is on sale for $199 right now, which is close to its record-low price. It earned a spot in our best budget robot vacuum guide for its strong cleaning power, slick design and easy-to-use mobile app.
The higher-end Roomba j7+ is back on sale for $599, which is the best price we've seen it. This model has enhanced obstacle avoidance that helps it move around things like pet poop, plus it comes with a clean base that the machine empties its bin into after every job.
Shark's AI Robot Vacuum with clean base is on sale for $350, which is the cheapest we've seen it. A similar model earned a spot in our best robot vacuum guide, and we like its solid suction power, good obstacle avoidance and bagless base into which the robo-vac dumps debris after every job.
The Instant Vortex Pro convection oven is on sale for $110, which is only $5 more than its record-low price. It's part of a larger sale on Instant Pots, air fryers and other small kitchen appliances. You're getting a 9-in-1 machine here that can air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate and more, plus it has six customizable programs and a rotisserie function, too.
A three pack of Philips Hue White + Color Ambience smart light bulbs is on sale for just under $81, which is one of the best prices we've seen. While they're on the expensive side, Philips Hue bulbs are our favorite smart lights thanks to their easy setup process, wide compatibility with things like Apple HomeKit and Amazon's Alexa, and the wide array of colors they support.
Our favorite budget smart lights from TP-Link have been discounted for Prime Day — only $30 for a four pack. We like the Kasa smart light bulbs for their WiFi connectivity, easy setup and handy app that shows estimated energy usage and savings over time.
Anova's Precision Cooker sous vide machine is down to a near-record low of $124 for Prime Day. It's a full-sized sous vide device that lets you cook food in a temperature-controlled water bath. The smaller Nano model made it into our best kitchen gadgets guide, but this version is even better for the savvy home cook in your life.
This Vitamix blender is down to $400 for Prime Day, which is more than $200 off its usual rate. It has five pre-programmed settings for easy use, an included 64-ounce container, plus variable speed and pulse support.
The Google Nest Thermostat is back on sale for $100 right now, which is one of the lowest prices we've seen. It's an Energy Star-certified device that intelligently monitors the temperature in your home and suggests ways you can save money on energy usage. You can also control it from your phone, changing your home's environment from anywhere at any time.
Amazon's smart thermostat is on sale for $42 right now. This affordable IoT gadget lets you control your home's temperature from anywhere and it can be adjusted via Alexa commands.
Blink's Outdoor camera is $40 off and on sale for $60 during this sale. It has all of the features of the Indoor model along with a weather-resistant design, so you can use it to monitor the outside of your home.
You can get two Blink Mini wired security cameras for only $30 for this October Prime Day. This camera needs to be plugged in, but we like its compact design, 1080p recording, motion alerts and two-way audio.
Amazon's smart plug is 48 percent off and down to only $13. You can plug almost any "dumb" appliance into this accessory to make it a smart one that can be controlled via a companion app and with Alexa voice commands.
A four pack of Kasa's mini smart plugs is on sale for only $24. These tiny accessories let you turn almost any appliance into a smart one, allowing you to turn them on and off remotely set usage schedules and more.
It's Microsoft's turn to host a big fall hardware event and we'll be following it every step of the way. You can keep up with the news as it happens by joining Engadget deputy editors Nathan Ingraham and Cherlynn Low on our livestream, which you can watch below. The event starts at 10AM ET.
On top of that, Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar and Senior Writer Sam Rutherford will offer real-time insight and analysis on our liveblog. Of course, we'll have full, in-depth coverage of the event on Engadget as well.
Unless something completely unexpected happens, Microsoft will have a bunch of Surface devices to show off. We're expecting the company to reveal the Surface Pro 9. Rumors suggest you'll be able to choose between a 12th-gen Intel Core CPU or a custom version of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 to power it. We're anticipating the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Studio 3 as well. Perhaps we'll get a peek at the previously teased Project Volterra mini PC and some accessories as well. In any case, you'll get your first look at what's on offer right here:
