Microsoft Surface event 2016 – 6 things to expect from Windows 10 October launch

But with Apple now set to hold its own launch event the day after, what exactly will Microsoft be showing off today? Here’s Express.co.uk’s rundown of everything we’re hoping for this week.

A new Surface Book and more Pro devices

Top of the expected list of new releases are some updates for Microsoft’s existing hardware lines.

The company’s Surface Book laptop, it’s first ever in-house computing device, was released almost exactly a year ago, meaning it is ripe for an update.

A new Surface Book is likely to show a number of upgrades from the original, packing in improved display, more powerful hardware and longer battery life.

If the initial pricing of the original Surface Book and Surface Pro devices is anything to go by, then Microsoft will also need to offer a less expensive line of products to entice in new users.

We’re expecting heavy price cuts across the original Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 devices, as Microsoft seeks to attract more customers, so this could be a great time to pick up a bargain.

A Surface Desktop – or Laptop

Alongside the existing Surface hardware, Microsoft is also reportedly working on an entirely new product category for its Surface devices.

A new all-in-one (AIO) desktop computer under the Surface branding is apparently being prepped for release, offering a powerful alternative to the Surface Book.

Bringing together powerful hardware and the latest version of Windows 10, the Surface AIO could operate as a home hub, or as the ideal addition to an office environment.

A report from The Verge said that the new device will include either a 24 inch or 27 inch display with a hinged design that will let it lay flat on a desk

This could mean that a wholly new, redesigned laptop device could also be on its way.

Surface-branded accessories

Alongside all this new hardware, Microsoft is also set to release some new accessories to get the most out of its latest devices.

Earlier this month, pictures emerged online of a Surface-branded keyboard, which is believed to ship with the new all-in-one desktop Surface PC, but could also appear with the new Surface Laptop.

However some have also speculated that it could instead be a range of peripherals designed to be used alongside the existing Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book.

This could mean an upgraded Surface Pen stylus, or a range of new Type Cover keyboards.

A possible return for Surface Phone?

It’s fair to say that Microsoft hasn’t enjoyed the smoothest run when it comes to smartphones.

Company CEO Satya Nadella admitted this much earlier this week, noting that the company had “missed the mobile phone boom”.

The statement was surprising, however, as a resurgent smartphone offering was thought to be one of the expected reveals at Microsoft’s launch event.

According to reports, the new ‘Surface Phone’ device could feature a 5.7inch touchscreen with 2K resolution, powered by a Snapdragon 830 processor, and sporting a 20megapixel rear camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.

The Surface Phone could even be a hybrid device, with leaked images suggesting it will have a keyboard cover that allows users to type, similar to Microsoft’s Surface Pro devices.

Linking a smartphone into the Surface family, bonded together with Continuum, would make sense in the grand scheme of things, and Microsoft could yet surprise us all with a smartphone like nothing we’ve ever seen before.

An update to Microsoft HoloLens

Microsoft’s most highly-anticipated device, however, is still HoloLens.

The wearable device, which blends virtual and augmented reality to plant holograms into the physical world, has just gone on sale across Europe following initial success in the United States,

This means it’s likely that Microsoft will be keen to show off more of its latest advances with the device next week – meaning a wide range of new apps and HoloLens experiences, possibly with some new big-name companies and partners.

It could also possibly be the chance to get a first look at the next generation of HoloLens, as Microsoft will doubtless be keen to capitalise on public awareness of the product.

And maybe something surprising…

If Apple has taught us nothing, it’s that technology launch events can never be predicted entirely 100 per cent accurately.

Microsoft is no stranger to this, with its Microsoft Band fitness tracker being the shock reveal at its October 2014 event, with a successor, the Microsoft Band 2, coming a year later.

Although both devices were warmly received by critics, Microsoft appeared to signal that it would not be continuing production last month.

However, as the Microsoft Health activity tracking platform was then rebranded as Microsoft Band soon after this announcement, might we see a new wearable at this week’s event?

Microsoft is currently behind rivals Apple and Samsung in not offering a flagship wearable device, and since it appears to bringing focus away from smartphones, this could be the ideal moment for a wearable return.