Microsoft invited me to its biggest Surface event ever — and it was AWESOME!

On October two, 2022, Microsoft set the cyberspace ablaze with an event that reflected a refinement and development of its successful Surface hardware. The accelerant for this inferno was the addition of bold category-defining devices to the Surface line of first-party products. Microsoft positions these products as reference hardware to guide manufacture partners as they build Windows, and now with Surface Duo, Android devices.

Surface Pro did this for two-in-1s, which even now Apple is mimicking. Surface Pro X, Surface Earbuds, Surface Neo, and Surface Duo are meant to encourage OEMs to create current generation products also as create categories for what Microsoft sees as next-generation computing.

Earlier the effect, various leaks, insightful analysis, and more than primed us for what fans and critics recognized as Microsoft's most anticipated Surface upshot to date. Equally a tech enthusiast and ardent supporter of Microsoft products, I wanted to attend this upshot only had no expectation I'd be invited — until I was. I was ecstatic when I received an email that presented me with an opportunity to be office of the most significant Surface event always. This is how it all went downwards. (To exist articulate, I did not attend this event as a media representative of Windows Central, and as such, Microsoft paid for our hotel for a night and gave us some "goodies." More on that coming up. )

Microsoft was looking for Surface fans

On September v, 2022, the following Windows Insider email graced my inbox:

The Windows Insider Program is partnering with our friends at Surface to notice the biggest Microsoft fans. We're inviting up to forty superfans to celebrate Microsoft innovations in tech alongside u.s.a. in NYC this October. That'south all nosotros tin can share for now, simply believe us when we say: "You won't want to miss this!"

For the chance to nourish this exclusive Microsoft result, simply share a short video telling us how Surface has helped you practice what you dearest. Whether you pursued a passion project, built a business organization, or created something super absurd and useful for piece of work or fun, we want to hear near it. So, evidence u.s. why yous're a superfan—enter the contest by September 9.

I equanimous the narrative for my entry, which my wife edited to ensure that it fits inside the allotted time limit. Within an 60 minutes of the deadline, I submitted the following video. The video highlights how Surface helps my wife, and I run our small business, Ward Advocacy, LLC, where we support at-hazard youth and people with disabilities throughout Connecticut.

I was blown away when I received the following electronic mail on September twelfth, 2022.

Hello Jason (and Jason's wife)!

You've shown that you're a fan of the Surface products we make, and to show our appreciation, nosotros're inviting you lot to join united states of america for our exclusive launch outcome in New York City!... Our team has been planning some fun things beginning October 1st evening and throughout October 2nd, and we intend on packing these 2 days with food, fun, and giveaways as nosotros share some exciting news with the globe.

Oct 1st (vi – 8pm): Welcome Reception, and for your convenience, nosotros have a hotel room available to you if needed October second (7:30am – 4pm): Sectional Microsoft outcome, including breakfast and lunch with special guest.

Though unable to attend the reception, my married woman and I made the two-hour drive to New York, checked into the hotel, and checked in with Microsoft on the forenoon of the effect. I was surprised when a smiling face that I'd never seen greeted me past name equally nosotros received our guest badges before entering the room for breakfast. Further word revealed that these greeters were among those who reviewed the video entries. To cap off this initial interaction, I was as well given Surface Headphones, which everyone who attended the previous night's reception were given. Things were off to a bang-up start.

All well-nigh the fans

During the buffet-manner breakfast, Microsoft'south Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela addressed the crowd of 50 or more fans in the large room. Surface creator Panos Panay followed him and further ready the tone for why we were there and what to expect.

Affirming the sense of being "chosen" that the Microsoft-provided accommodations, reception, breakfast, and the Surface Headphones gift conveyed to u.s., Panay shared that this event was about the fans. He stated that in the past, the setting in which we were then sitting would accept been occupied by the press. He stressed that this was the commencement fourth dimension the company was doing this with fans.

— Jason L Ward (@JLTechWord) October 3, 2022

As a contributing (not staff) writer for Windows Central, a tech enthusiast, and a fan of Microsoft's products, I've hoped my printing affiliations would gain me access to an event like this. Thus, I felt very blessed to be at Microsoft's biggest Surface Event, with my married woman, purely as a fan, based primarily on how we use Surface to run our business organization Ward Advancement, LLC, helping at-risk youth and people with disabilities. It felt more meaningful, relaxing, and rewarding than being there every bit press to "work" the event.

Surface Creator Panos Panay told usa this consequence was about us, the fans!

Though I perceived the issue through the combined perspectives of analyst, fan, and writer (notetaking and all), the liberty of beingness there as a fan, and the benefits we received in that capacity were liberating.

Panay encouraged u.s. to limited our genuine excitement if we saw something that we liked during what he described as the evidence; non merely a press event. Of grade, our being there was part of Microsoft's marketing strategy. Thus, any genuine expressions of emotion during the broadcast would communicate to viewers that Microsoft'south products could provoke excitement. Nonetheless, my concerns regarding what was adequate decorum at this event (do I remain professionally tranquility or can I freely limited "wow" moments?) were much allayed. The context of existence there as a fan and non press made "making noise" even easier.

Off to the Surface show and Microsoft'south mobile strategy

After being told that we'd get preferential seating, we were bussed to the event venue, and instructed to notice seats labeled "Fan." Since this outcome was about "us," nosotros entered the room before the printing and got forepart row seating. Yep, I was glad to be "wearing my fan" chapeau.

During the show, nosotros saw the expected device refreshes with Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3, anticipated devices with the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Neo (previously Project Centaurus), and the unexpected with the Surface Duo (previously Projection Andromeda). Every bit a fan, I was pumped. As an analyst, I was excited. As a writer who has written confronting the tide of popular stance, I felt vindicated to run into much of what I've presented every bit Microsoft'south mobile strategy finally being appear, admitting with some twists.

Microsoft isn't done with mobile, and Surface Duo is the manifestation of Microsoft'due south commitment to a pocketable device that is more than a telephone. Panay didn't call it a phone, though he said the press would. He merely called it a Surface. In fact, the Duo's introduction after the larger, versatile, highly mobile Surface Neo foldable PC, which sports the same form cistron, provided some context for this pocketable reference device that is a twelvemonth away from hitting the market place. The Android-powered Duo was initially meant to exist a smaller Windows-powered Neo, but pocketable and with telephony. And I think that pocket Windows device is still coming. What remains to exist seen is the class it takes.

Surface Neo and Surface Duo represent the beginning of true convergence of PC and telephone.

Android is the right choice for Duo for at present to build key developer relationships for Microsoft'south device and services ecosystem and more. These relationships, if Surface Neo proves successful on the software and hardware side, can potentially benefit a more than pocketable version of Neo with telephony - the original plan for the Duo. I recall the Android choice for the Duo is part of a longer vision that will precursor Windows 10X on a pocketable, telephony-enabled device in the hereafter every bit Microsoft or an OEM partner will inevitably make the Surface Neo concept smaller. Granted, I believe Android and Windows 10 X-powered pocketable devices tin and volition continue to coexist in Microsoft'south ecosystem.

Needless to say, I made plenty of dissonance when the Neo and Duo were announced. Though I noticed when watching the event after the fact, the sound of our cheering seemed subdued. The room was much louder than the circulate portrays.

Smartphone and PC makers may unite to build the PC of the future

You get a Surface, You get a Surface…

After the effect, the press went to get up close and personal with the new gadgets while we fans were swooped abroad to a rooftop restaurant for lunch. We'd get our hands-on time with the tech after being treated to a meal. The food was good, and meeting new people was keen, and what came next was remarkable. Nosotros'd be receiving swag bags with all types of gear inside, and we'd likewise accept our choice of either a Surface Pro 7 or Surface Laptop 3. I fabricated more noise then than I made at the result. I wasn't solitary. Yeah, beingness in that location as a fan was much better than being in that location as press.

Dorsum at the event venue, nosotros got to peruse the new tech. I also met some of our readers who recognized me after I gave them my name. And as a attestation to the impact of a mobile workforce after almost v years with the visitor, I also met Daniel Rubino, our executive editor, Zac Bowden, our Senior Editor, and Mauro Huculak, our How-To mogul for the first time in person at this event. Weird, huh?

Hands-on time with the as nevertheless not released devices was cool. The Windows x X-powered Surface Pro 10 for its portability, great thin-bezel brandish, crawly carpenter mode pencil with the keyboard storage infinite was impressive, and it needs to be my side by side device. I loved the svelte build of the Surface Laptop three, I'm excited about the Surface Pro 7, and though I don't like the artful or the toll of the Surface Earbuds, the audio quality is excellent, and I love what they can do.

The all-time part of my Surface fan experience was enjoying everything with my wife, who likewise loves Surface. And the squad who made our experience comfortable, fun, and exciting was excellent.

Everything appear at Microsoft's Surface event

The ultimate Surface fan experience

Finally, every bit a fan and writer, I have written extensively nearly Microsoft'due south mobile strategy. My work has presented a consistent narrative about Microsoft's mobile strategy despite the constantly shifting narratives presented past other venues. Much of the narrative has been realized or is on course to that vision. I had hoped to get a chance to talk to Panos Panay well-nigh the Surface's journeying to our pockets. He promised that he might be around for pictures, at which point I hoped ever so briefly to speak with him, only was told he was in a meeting.

Mr. Panay, if my piece of work were a symphony flowing from my middle, to my head, and to my hands, at that place would exist ane instrument missing from the orchestra of my portfolio: an interview with Panos Panay. That would exist a thou finale to my Surface fan experience.

Related reading

• Why Microsoft's mobile story is so greatly confusing
• Is this the showtime of the end of slate-shaped smartphones
• How cellular PCs may shift carriers in Microsoft's favor

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-invited-me-its-biggest-surface-event-ever-and-it-was-awesome

Posted by: bellofflon.blogspot.com

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