Microsoft has used Computex 2017 to reinforce its commitment to an open Windows 10 partner ecosystem to help drive growth and customer demand.
Microsoft outlined key areas of focus to inspire customers, increase momentum in the PC market with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and spark emerging categories including Windows Mixed Reality and Windows and Azure solutions for the Internet of Things.
Nick Parker, corporate vice-president, Consumer and Device Sales, shared his vision for how new business models scale and expand markets to create a thriving ecosystem. This vision starts by inspiring customers with new experiences and devices that empower people and businesses to achieve more.
“Our partner model is unique in the industry as we collaborate, end-to-end, from design, through all phases of the product lifecycle and across consumer and device channels. Together, we are building new experiences for customers, generating demand and ultimately, creating growth in existing and new categories including Mixed Reality, Internet of Things, and Always Connected PCs with Intel and Qualcomm. At Microsoft, our success scales with our partners and, as an ecosystem, we reinvent existing markets even as we explore new ones,” said Parker.
{loadposition ray}Parker was joined on stage by Matt Barlow, corporate vice-president, Windows Marketing, and Peter Han, vice-president, Partner Devices, and Solutions, detailing the latest innovation from Windows 10 with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and the breadth of devices that enable new Windows 10 experiences.
Barlow highlighted innovations coming in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, announced over the last month. This includes innovations coming to Windows Ink, 3D, Windows Mixed Reality, security, and gaming.
Han highlighted a diverse mix of Windows 10 devices that take advantage of new capabilities such as enhanced inking, built-in game broadcasting, and advanced security all captured in beautiful hardware designs.
Also showcased were the latest collections in consumer, gaming, education and commercial devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, and Toshiba.
Han also introduced a new operational capability that enables partners to dynamically include Windows Store content to any Windows 10 PC they ship at any time in the manufacturing and resale process, introducing new supply chain agility for the PC ecosystem.
In addition to modern devices from leading partners, Han shared news and momentum in new categories including:
- Mixed reality: Microsoft highlighted innovative Windows Mixed Reality headset designs from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Available later this year, these affordable headsets will utilise the Windows Mixed Reality platform to enable new video, entertainment, social and productivity experiences.
- Internet of things: Microsoft detailed IoT solutions and customer success stories for the energy, manufacturing and retail sectors.
- Always connected PCs: There are users that need to be connected to the cloud at all times, leveraging the latest network technology like gigabit LTE and eSIM.
Microsoft is collaborating with its ecosystem on a shared vision that starts with a close partnership at the silicon layer with Intel and Qualcomm, and with its mobile operator partners to provide seamless eSIM connectivity. Microsoft device partners including ASUS, HP, Huawei, Lenovo, VAIO, and Xiaomi, are committed to this new category of Always Connected PCs using eSIM technology.
In addition, Microsoft announced Always Connected devices will be coming from ASUS, HP, and Lenovo, on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. These new devices will feature Windows 10, with always-on LTE connectivity and great battery life.
For the latest on Microsoft’s involvement at Computex visit the Windows Blog.
