Today's MS Event (Surface Studio, Creators Update, etc...)
It feels like Microsoft has improved their image over the past 2 years for the better. But people still don't view the company in the same light as Apple or Google. So there is clearly still something that they are doing wrong. Because right now, they should be in the limelight. Today's event painted that picture a million times better to me than the recent Apple and Google events. Both companies have stagnated and are surviving on momentum. It isn't all great news from my perspective, but there is a lot of positive from me after watching this event.
The bad; Surface Studio. The product looks great. But, at the cost of a HoloLens, I don't think there is much of a market for it. It may even have a smaller market than the iPad Pro. In fact, I'm almost sure of it. I don't think even Apple would be able to sell a lot of these. I have to speculate that that is expected, especially at that price. But then, why unveil in this fashion? It really needs a Surface Hub-esque unveiling. Granted, the product itself is more consumer friendly. But, I don't feel it does enough for that price over other all in ones. And the Surface Dial is cool, but it is like a pencil on an iPad Pro. The group of people who need or would benefit from such technology is small.
Similarly, the new, faster Surface Book. I don't care. But then, I don't care about high end Mac Books either.
But, the Creator's update combined with the 3D accessories; THAT is Microsoft doing something VERY right. I'm not sure that the shift to 3D is as guaranteed as Microsoft advertises it is. But, the point is more that it could be. And they want to be at the forefront.
They also need to build an ecosystem for HoloLens to dominate once they nail down a consumer version. The news surrounding these partner products and the Creators Update does that. A $299 headset IS a lot more attainable than a $3k HoloLens. It doesn't matter if HoloLens is better. At that price point it is easy to argue that it is a sufficient compromise.
The fact that Windows 10 (Holographic) integrates with these headsets in a similar way, combined with the multi-angled approach to enabling and promoting 3D gives Microsoft the best chance yet of any company to drive adoption of 3D and be at the forefront of it. And when they get AR to a point where they can sell it to the masses (for less than $3k) they'll be poised to dominate the market.
I think AR is more the future than VR. But, I think VR may be the stepping stone needed to fill the void cost-wise and the pave the way. And Microsoft's seeming ability to make apps and experiences that work well in both AR and VR, combined with being the only company currently with a clear plan for both makes for an exciting near-future for all of AR, VR and Microsoft.
The bad; Surface Studio. The product looks great. But, at the cost of a HoloLens, I don't think there is much of a market for it. It may even have a smaller market than the iPad Pro. In fact, I'm almost sure of it. I don't think even Apple would be able to sell a lot of these. I have to speculate that that is expected, especially at that price. But then, why unveil in this fashion? It really needs a Surface Hub-esque unveiling. Granted, the product itself is more consumer friendly. But, I don't feel it does enough for that price over other all in ones. And the Surface Dial is cool, but it is like a pencil on an iPad Pro. The group of people who need or would benefit from such technology is small.
Similarly, the new, faster Surface Book. I don't care. But then, I don't care about high end Mac Books either.
But, the Creator's update combined with the 3D accessories; THAT is Microsoft doing something VERY right. I'm not sure that the shift to 3D is as guaranteed as Microsoft advertises it is. But, the point is more that it could be. And they want to be at the forefront.
They also need to build an ecosystem for HoloLens to dominate once they nail down a consumer version. The news surrounding these partner products and the Creators Update does that. A $299 headset IS a lot more attainable than a $3k HoloLens. It doesn't matter if HoloLens is better. At that price point it is easy to argue that it is a sufficient compromise.
The fact that Windows 10 (Holographic) integrates with these headsets in a similar way, combined with the multi-angled approach to enabling and promoting 3D gives Microsoft the best chance yet of any company to drive adoption of 3D and be at the forefront of it. And when they get AR to a point where they can sell it to the masses (for less than $3k) they'll be poised to dominate the market.
I think AR is more the future than VR. But, I think VR may be the stepping stone needed to fill the void cost-wise and the pave the way. And Microsoft's seeming ability to make apps and experiences that work well in both AR and VR, combined with being the only company currently with a clear plan for both makes for an exciting near-future for all of AR, VR and Microsoft.
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