Windows 10 devices event October 6, 2015

Microsoft’s Windows 10 devices event on October 6 expected to be full of announcements

A huge number of Windows 10 devices are about to be announced on Tuesday. Here's what Microsoft is expected to announced, plus important information on how you can watch the live stream.

On October 6, Microsoft is scheduled to hold a new press event in New York City, and it’s an event expected to include many important announcements. The software giant has a big goal of installing Windows 10 on a billion devices, but of course to keep perusing such a big dream the company needs new hardware for its software.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015, will definitely be a great day for Windows fans. At the press event we’re expecting Microsoft to unveil the new Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL phones, Microsoft Band 2, and a few other surprises.

How to watch the live stream

The company will be streaming the #Windows10Devices event live from New York City. The live stream will start at 10AM ET / 7AM PT / 9AM CT / 8AM MT / 3PM BST. Tune to microsoft.com/october2015event to watch the event in your web browser, and of course you’ll be able to watch the event in your Xbox One.

If you’re also following the event via Twitter don’t forget to follow the #Windows10Devices hashtag.

Here are a few rumors and details we already know

Surface Pro 4

It’s been more than a year since the launch of Surface Pro 3 and the tablet is ready for a refresh. At the event Microsoft is expected to unveiled the Surface Pro 4. The new tablet is likely to be very similar to its predecessor, as Microsoft has said in the past that it will work with Surface Pro 3 accessories.

However, we’re expecting to see a thinner, lighter, and more powerful device with updated hardware. It also has been rumored that the new Surface Pro 4 will have a thinner bezel with a 4k or possibly larger screen resolution.

Although, many devices are now shipping with a new camera with support for Windows Hello, the company may opt to include a fingerprint reader on the new Type Cover that will let you sign-in to Windows 10.

Microsoft will also be showing off a new Type Cover with improvements on key placements, larger trackpad, and moving away from the pen loop.

The software maker could also be introducing a new bigger model of the tablet. While we yet know the name Microsoft will be choosing for this device, it has been rumored that it will be a Surface Pro 4 with a larger, possibly 14-inch screen, with a camera to support Windows Hello to sign-in to Windows 10 using only your face.

This new device could have up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and of course there will be a new dock station and Type Covers as well.

Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

As Microsoft gets closer to release Windows 10 Mobile for phones, the company will be unveiling its new flagship of smartphones running the new operating system.

The company will primarily announce two phones: Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Both phones will include support for Windows Hello and Continuum, which is the idea of turning your phone to something similar to a PC experience.

Continuum for Windows 10 Mobile will work using a new Continuum dock or using wireless connectivity. Users will also be able to connect their Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and expand the phone to a larger monitor.

The experience is expected to be similar but not equal to the experience on the desktop. In part, this is by design, as Microsoft wants people not to be confuse that you’re not running the full version of Windows 10 for desktop.

The main difference is that the Lumia 950 XL uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and it’s a 5.7-inch display, while the Lumia 950 sports a Snapdragon 808 processor and it has a 5.2-inch display. However, both Lumia phones will sport a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Qualcomm fast charging with included rapid chargers, USB Type-C port, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

Below you’ll find a list with rumored technical specs for both phones, which recently leaked out onto the web:

Lumia 950 (leaked tech specs)

  • Matte White or black poly-carbonate enclosure
  • 5.2-inch WQHD (1440×2560) OLED display
  • Snapdragon 808, 64-bit Hexa-core processor
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 32GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot
  • 20MP PureView camera with double LED flash
  • 5MP Wide-angle front facing camera
  • Windows Hello with Iris scanner
  • 3000 mAh removable battery
  • Qi wireless charging
  • Qi wireless charging without a flip cover

Lumia 950 XL (leaked tech specs)

  • Matte White or black poly-carbonate enclosure
  • 5.7-inch WQHD (1440×2560) OLED display
  • Snapdragon 810, 64-bit Octa core
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 32GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot
  • 20MP PureView camera with triple LED flash
  • 5MP Wide-angle front facing camera
  • Windows Hello with Iris scanner
  • 3300 mAh removable battery
  • Qi wireless charging

Other rumors also suggest that the Lumia 950 XL will include a smart cover with a circular opening to easy access for notification and the phone might also feature support for the Surface Pen. Also, the Continuum dock will feature a USB Type-C connector and traditional USB port to connect your keyboard and mouse, and one DisplayPort to expand the phone screen to an external monitor.

Microsoft Band 2

The software giant is also expected to introduce the second version of its fitness tracker. The Microsoft Band 2 will be largely different from its predecessor, as we have seen in previous leaks the new fitness tracker will feature a curved display, metallic finish on the sides of the display, and two buttons on the side, with a more elegant design.

Microsoft Band 2

Rumors also suggests that the Microsoft Band 2 (Envoy) will include the same sensors found in the first generation, and additional sensors to detect height and measure going up and down stairs.

Sensors we might see in the new fitness tracker

  • Optical heart rate monitor
  • Accelerometer/Gyrometer
  • GPS
  • Microphone
  • Ambient Light Sensor
  • Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensors
  • UV sensor

The company is also planning to make the band available in more countries in addition to regions where the Microsoft Band is already available, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany will be added to the list.

Windows 10 update

The new operating system has been around for a few months and it has already surpassed the 100 million installs. Now it’s time to see what to expect in the next significant update, which the company plans to roll sometime in November.

As such, during the event, the company may show off some of the changes coming with Windows 10 Threshold 2 update, and probably we’ll hear the exact release date. We might also get a demo on the new Messaging app, tab preview for Microsoft Edge, and a number of other improvements we are seeing in the Insider previews and recent leaks, such as the case of Windows 10 build 10558.

Additionally, we also know that Microsoft will be soon releasing Windows 10 for Xbox One, and the company may show some of the things it has been working on, such as the new dashboard and various other features.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.