Valo Motion announces that its new immersive Mixed Reality indoor-arena, ValoArena, will have its official live launch at the IAAPA Expo trade show from September 13th to15th 2022 in London.

Designed for activity parks and other indoor spaces, the freeform game requires no wearables for gameplay, allowing players to enjoy maximum physical activity and social interaction. This is the official live launch of the unit, and the first time that industry players and media will have the opportunity to try ValoArena out for themselves.

ValoArena was introduced at the beginning of the year and installed at six premier locations in Europe with two upcoming installations in the US. Premier installations were done in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and have been met with enthusiastic reception from both operators and players.

According to Lasse Buschmann, CEO of Hi-Fly Trampoline Park where the unit was installed over the summer, ValoArena was purchased to keep the park’s format modern and relevant for the evolving tastes of their audience.

“We always observe what is happening on the market, and we got ValoArena because it helps us to stay relevant and modern. Today’s kids play a lot on cell phones and screens, and at Hi-Fly, movement is important to us. ValoArena is great because it combines movement with kids’ love of digital entertainment. It’s also a social activity, which makes it really fun for friends and families to do together. ValoArena adds value to our park and ticket prices because it’s easy to access, it has no wearables, and it saves staffing costs,” says Buschmann.

With ValoArena, parks are now able to offer their customers with new, exciting attractions that allow unattended operations with practically no preparation time. Companies from multiple different fields face challenges when it comes to employee shortages, which – in addition to other things – means that unattended attractions are now more popular than ever.

“ValoArena is the easiest attraction. We don’t need to do anything to it for it to work. It has been a big hit,” says Mika Jimenez, Customer Service & Park Manager at SuperPark Vantaa, where ValoArena was originally installed in February.

In its premier locations, ValoArena has proven to be in heavy daily use, and it enables a lot of people to enjoy the games every day. The unit can accommodate up to six players at once which leads to shorter queueing times at busy parks as well as more interactive and social gaming experiences for players.

“ValoArena was designed for up to six people to have active fun together, and we wanted to learn together with owners of premier installations how ValoArena will be received by players. We have received highly positive feedback and several locations had over 4,000 players per week! Park owners tell us that the ValoArena units are in heavy use and enjoyed by the players. I’m glad that ValoArena is turning out to be as popular as our previous products ValoClimb and ValoJump which total over 46 million active and fun games over the past six years,” says Dr. Raine Kajastila, CEO of Valo Motion.

Attendees of the IAAPA Expo trade show are welcome to come and visit Valo Motion to try out ValoArena.

The post Valo Motion Launches ValoArena appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

HTC Vive has announced to us here at STG that the HTC Vive Pro Head Mounted Display (HMD) will be available for $1199 with global pre-orders staring now.

The company also announced a $120 price reduction for the current Vive full kit, bringing it down to $879 AUD in Australia. All Vive Pro HMDs purchased by the 3rd of June, 2018, which will begin shipping on April the the 5th, 2018, will come with a free six-month trial to Viveport Subscription, where consumers can choose up to 5 titles per month from the more than 400 titles available.

“With the Vive Pro we are delivering the best quality display and visual experience to the most discerning VR enthusiasts. Our goal has always been to offer the most premium VR platform available and to drive adoption for VR,” said Daniel O’Brien, HTC Vive General Manager, US.  “By lowering the price of the current Vive, we are making VR more accessible while expanding the potential market for developers. Whether you’re a VR enthusiast or new to the platform, there’s never been a better time to join the most complete VR platform available.”

Vive Pro HMD pre-orders begin today on Vive.com and other Vive retailers with units shipping globally on April the 5th, 2018. Current Vive owners can upgrade their headset to Vive Pro for the best display, audio, and comfort in the industry. The Vive Pro comes with dual-OLED displays, making for a crisper image resolution of 2880 x 1600 combined, a 78% increase in resolution over the current Vive HMD. In addition to visuals, Vive Pro also features integrated, high-performance headphones with a built-in amplifier that creates a heightened sense of presence and sound through noise cancellation capabilities. These improved graphics and audio allow for users to experience VR with enhanced clarity, making it the most realistic and immersive VR experience on the market today.

In addition, the Vive Pro has been rebuilt to maximize comfort for the most demanding VR users. The Vive Pro features a redesigned head-strap that balances the weight of the headset more evenly and features easy simple adjustment buttons for Vive users with glasses.

The Vive Pro works with both SteamVR Tracking 1.0 and 2.0, meaning existing Vive customers can upgrade the headset only and continue to use current generation controllers and base stations.

With more than 3,000 titles available, Vive continues to be the platform of choice for developers and consumers alike. Operating in over 60 countries, HTC’s content platform Viveport brings premium experiences in entertainment, education, arcade, arts & culture, and enterprise to a global audience. In addition, Viveport Subscription allows consumers to choose from over 400 pieces of content from a highly-curated offering, giving consumers the opportunity to discover the best VR content available.

Vive Pro purchases made before June the 3rd, 2018 come with a free six-month trial of Viveport Subscription where owners will get the chance to play 30 titles with their new HMD. Pro purchases made after the first 60 days of orders will come with a free two-month trial.

The price of Viveport Subscription will increase to $11.99 AUD on March the 22nd, 2018. Current Subscribers and those who sign up before the increase takes effect, will be locked in at the $9.99 AUD price point through at least the end of the year.

The post HTC Vive Announces Price Of Vive Pro HMD appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

ASUS has announced to us here at STG of their epic wins of 18 prestigious 2018 iF Product Design Awards.

Spanning three product categories — Gaming Hardware/VR, Computer, and Telecommunications — the award-winning products represent the ASUS commitment to design innovation and engineering excellence. The awarded products were selected from a competitive field of 6,400 entries from 54 countries.

The winners in the Gaming Hardware/VR category are the ASUS FX503, ROG G703, ROG Zephyrus, ROG Strix SCAR Edition and ROG Strix Hero Edition gaming laptops; ROG Poseidon GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards; ASUS Windows Mixed Reality headset; ASUS SBW-06D3X-U UHD Blu-Ray optical drive; ROG Strix Fusion gaming headset series; ASUS Cerberus Fortus mouse; and ROG Ranger 2-in-1 backpack.

In the Computer category, the award-winning products are the ASUS TUF X299 Mark 1 motherboard, ASUS Zen AiO ZN242 all-in-one desktop, ZenBook Flip S (UX370) convertible laptop, ASUS Designo MZ27 monitor, ASUS Zenbo smart home robot, and ASUSPRO B9440 business laptop. The ZenFone 4 Series won an award in the Telecommunications category.

Each year, the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, organizes the iF Design Awards. These awards are recognized worldwide as a seal of quality for products that excel in specific criteria, including design quality, degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and more. An independent jury of 63 experts from countries around the world assesses products and selects winners.

ASUS FX503

ASUS FX503

ASUS FX503 is a compact and powerful Windows 10 laptop that packs the latest 7th Generation Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-Series graphics. A high-capacity battery ensures that users stay productive or entertained throughout the day, while an intelligent cooling system enables graphically intense gaming sessions without throttling. FX503 is the first in the series to feature an ultrafast 120Hz, 15.6-inch Full HD display for cinematic experiences and smoothest gameplay. While offering power and performance, its lightweight design allows for easy portability.

ROG G703

ROG G703 is the world’s first gaming laptop with an ultrasmooth 17.3-inch Full HD IPS-level display with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology for a 144Hz refresh rate. Powered by the factory-overclocked Intel Core i7-7820HK processor that reaches incredible speeds of up to 4.3GHz out of the box, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics with a maximum boost clock of up to 1974MHz, and Windows 10, ROG G703 is an unmatched gaming powerhouse.

ROG Zephyrus

ROG Zephyrus

ROG Zephyrus is the world’s slimmest gaming laptop powered by a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Max-Q) graphics. It features the Windows 10 Creators Update, which improves the performance of PC games via the all-new Windows Game Mode while also making it easier to perform native game-streaming with Beam, Microsoft’s streaming service. The 15.6-inch ROG Zephyrus features an ultraslim profile and incorporates the ROG-exclusive Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) — a specially designed cooling system. It also features customizable ASUS Aura RGB lighting effects and a superfast 120Hz panel with wide-view technology, 100 percent sRGB color gamut and NVIDIA G-SYNC™ for breathtaking gaming visuals.

ROG Strix SCAR Edition and ROG Strix Hero Edition

ROG Strix SCAR and Strix Hero Editions are built for esports gaming titles. Hero Edition is ideal for fearless multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, and features an aggressive design with monster scales, silver Mayan-inspired patterns, and deep blue accents that project heroes’ might. SCAR Edition is ideal for first-person shooters, and features an anodized Gunmetal Grey finish. Engineered with Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-Series graphics, the 15.6-inch GL503 and 17.3-inch Strix GL703 give gamers the tools they need to control the competition — so they can gear up, stake their ground and get ready to win.

ROG Poseidon GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

ROG Poseidon GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

ROG Poseidon GeForce GTX 1080 Ti features the next-generation DirectCU H2O cooler, combining liquid and air in a larger 2.5-slot design. The expanded heatsink boasts 40 percent more area than its predecessor, while the updated plumbing improves the liquid flow rate by 22 percent. Support for standard G1/4 fittings make it easy to add the card to custom loops, and dual FanConnect II headers let the card manage system fans for gaming-optimized cooling. Poseidon GTX 1080 Ti features ASUS Aura Sync lighting and adds a new twist with a ‘mirror-reflection’ design that gives the illusion of a lighting effect that extends to infinity. ROG Poseidon GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is produced using Auto-Extreme technology, the industry’s first and only 100 percent-automated production process, for improved quality and reliability.

ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080 Ti includes a 2.5-slot for 40 percent more surface area for heat dissipation, compared to previous two-slot designs. It is packed with exclusive ASUS technologies, including the all-new MaxContact, an industry-first GPU cooling technology that features an optimized copper heat-spreader that is in direct contact with the GPU for improved thermal transfer. MaxContact, together with three patented wing-blade 0dB fans, delivers cooler, quieter performance. The fans are IP5X dust-resistant for improved reliability and extended lifespan. ASUS FanConnect II provides hybrid-controlled fan headers and a comprehensive set of GPU Tweak II tuning options to optimize system cooling even further. Industry-exclusive Auto-Extreme technology with 10+2-phase Super Alloy Power II components ensures premium quality and reliability.

Strix GeForce GTX 1080 Ti also features synchronized ASUS Aura Sync technology for complete RGB LED customization and personalization. A VR-friendly design with two HDMI ports lets gamers keep a VR headset connected to their system for immersive, virtual-reality gaming any time. 

ASUS Windows Mixed Reality
Headset

ASUS Windows Mixed Reality headset

The ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset features innovative Microsoft technology to bring immersive real-world and virtual experiences to users. It features a beautifully unique design with a pattern of hundreds of 3D polygons and a glossy tone-on-tone effect. Weighing under 400 grams and featuring premium antibacterial cushioned materials and a balanced-crown design that reduces pressure on the nose and face, the ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset is cool and comfortable to wear for extended periods, so users can enjoy amazingly immersive experiences for longer. It features innovative inside-out tracking with two built-in front-facing tracking cameras with six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) position tracking and it doesn’t need external sensors or additional software — so initial setup is simple and users can get up and running in minutes. To ensure the widest range of stunningly immersive virtual experiences, the ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset supports more than 20,000 Windows apps and more than 2,000 Steam VR titles.

ASUS SBW-06D3X-U optical drive

ASUS SBW-06D3X-U is the world’s first external Blu-ray optical drive capable of playing 4K UHD Blu-ray movies. It has a futuristic design with ASUS Aura Sync RGB LEDs, giving it a look that goes well with gaming systems. It has a built-in fold-out stand for space-saving vertical placement. A USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (USB-C) port provides fast file transfer speeds and eliminates the need for a power adapter.

ROG Strix Fusion gaming headset series

ROG Strix Fusion series is a new gaming headset series that offers no-compromise gaming audio quality, comfort and style. Currently available in two models — ROG Fusion 300 and ROG Fusion 500 — ROG Strix Fusion headsets feature exclusive ASUS Essence drivers, airtight chamber technology for top-notch audio, ROG Hybrid cushions for extreme comfort, plus captivating lighting that lets gamers show their personal style. 

ASUS Cerberus Fortus

ASUS Cerberus Fortus

ASUS Cerberus Fortus is an ambidextrous gaming mouse engineered for battlefield-dominating performance. Its magnesium-alloy base evenly distributes weight to provide smooth gliding and pinpoint accuracy. The metal base also improves durability, providing reassurance that Cerberus Fortus is built to last. High-quality Omron mouse switches also ensure the fastest response times and extended durability, with a lifespan of up to 50-million clicks.

ROG Ranger 2-in-1 Backpack

Ranger 2-in-1 Backpack is a unique and stylish travel accessory for gamers. Featuring detachable front and rear compartments, it’s designed for comfortable and easy transport of any gaming gear. The modular design of the Ranger 2-in-1 Backpack lets gamers easily customize its capacity to suit whatever gaming gear they’re transporting — from light to heavy loads, and from small accessories to 17-inch gaming laptops. A full-size front ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) panel with a reflective ROG logo provides total protection, while displaying a gamer’s unique ROG style. With its ergonomic shoulder straps and ventilated back-padding — constructed from memory foam — the Ranger 2-in-1 Backpack is comfortable for all-day use, even when fully loaded.

ASUS TUF X299 Mark 1 Motherboard

ASUS TUF X299 Mark 1 motherboard

TUF X299 Mark 1 comes from the TUF family of motherboards that prioritize reliability and durability for PCs built to go the distance. TUF X299 Mark 1 features a protective cover that streamlines airflow over the board and prevents dust accumulation. Besides the dedicated fan that directs cool air toward the primary M.2 slot, it is also laced with additional temperature sensors to monitor different zones on the motherboard and in your system as a whole. Sensor data is fed into Thermal Radar 3 software that intelligently manages system cooling to keep temperatures and acoustics low. Its updated armor is the strongest yet for TUF motherboards, but its real strength comes from the Fortifier backplate that prevents the board from warping while helping to support massive air coolers that tend to hang a lot of weight off of the socket. The TUF X299 Mark 1 also features a VGA holder that eliminates ugly and potentially damaging graphics card sag by supporting the motherboard to prevent bowing and bending. 

ASUS Zen AiO ZN242

Zen AiO ZN242 is a powerful, compact and elegant all-in-one PC that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible — to deliver the ultimate AiO computing experience. Zen AiO ZN242 features a 23.8-inch NanoEdge frameless display with an industry-leading 90% screen-to-body ratio, 100% sRGB color gamut and 178° wide-view technology for incredibly immersive viewing. As well as stunning looks, Zen AiO ZN242 delivers seriously powerful performance, with a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and gaming-grade NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics. Zen AiO ZN242 offers a clean and uncluttered design with a gorgeous metal-like Icicle Silver finish. It features many thoughtful and practical touches including a pop-up camera and hidden cooling vents in the rear logo. It has a sturdy, diamond-cut stand with an ultraslim metal base adorned with our iconic Zen-inspired spun-metal finish. 

ASUS ZenBook Flip S (UX370)

ASUS ZenBook Flip S (UX370)

ZenBook Flip S is the world’s thinnest convertible laptop and it’s also one of the lightest. A mere 10.9mm thick and weighing only 1.1 kg, it features an Intel Core i7 processor, up to a 1TB SSD, 16 GB of RAM, a 13.3-inch high-resolution display with ASUS Pen support, and two USB-C ports. The new 360° ErgoLift hinge on ZenBook Flip S is smooth and stable, holding the display securely at any angle. The innovative hinge has a dual-action mechanism that lifts and tilts the keyboard into the perfect typing position when the display is opened beyond 135°. The integrated fingerprint scanner in the ZenBook Flip S is one of the slimmest scanners in the world, and it’s positioned on the side of the laptop for easy access in any mode. 

ASUS Designo MZ27AQ monitor

Designo MZ27AQ is a stunning 27-inch monitor that heralds a new generation of frameless, ultraslim monitors. Winner of a 2017 Computex d&i award, Designo MZ27AQ measures just 7mm at its thinnest point, and boasts a sharp, WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel with a 100% sRGB color gamut to deliver incredible visuals for home entertainment. With an integrated 2.1-channel ASUS SonicMaster audio system co-developed with Harman Kardon, Designo MZ27AQ features two 6-watt stereo speakers and an external 5-watt subwoofer. 

ASUS Zenbo

Zenbo is the first commercially available home robot designed to provide assistance, entertainment, and companionship to families. Zenbo is a fun and educational playmate for kids, entertaining them with interactive storytelling and learning games that foster creativity and logical thinking skills. As a hands-free household keeper, Zenbo enriches the home with a broad range of skills that make life easier and more enjoyable. He can control many smart home devices, assist in the kitchen by reading recipes out loud and by functioning as a voice-controlled timer, serve as a family photographer with his built-in camera, and operate as a home security camera to give homeowners peace of mind when they are away. 

ZenFone 4

ASUSPRO B9440

ASUSPRO B9440 is currently the world’s lightest 14-inch business notebook. Designed for discerning on-the-go professionals and weighing just 1.05 kg, B9440 has an ultracompact design with a footprint no larger than many 13-inch notebooks, making it the ultimate take-anywhere notebook for business productivity. Stylish and practical, the sleek B9440 features an all-metal chassis crafted from magnesium alloy — a premium material that is both lighter and more rigid than standard aluminum alloy. Its ergonomic keyboard has an innovative tilting design that positions it perfectly for comfortable typing. B9440 is US MIL-STD 810G military-graded and also passes extra-strict ASUSPRO reliability standards, undergoing a series of extreme tests to ensure dependable operation in any environment.

ZenFone 4 Series

ZenFone 4 Series smartphones are designed to provide the best mobile photography experiences, with dual cameras that enable unlimited creative options and give users the freedom to capture their world from multiple perspectives.

ZenFone 4 is a 5.5-inch smartphone that evolves the ZenFone lineage with luxurious design while delivering an unparalleled mobile photography experience with a dual-lens camera system featuring the flagship Sony IMX362 image sensor, a large f/1.8 aperture lens, and a 120° wide-angle lens. The latest powerful and energy-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 660/630 Mobile Platform provides performance for every scenario, and a high-capacity 3300mAh lithium-polymer battery coupled with ASUS BoostMaster fast-charge technology keeps ZenFone 4 going longer.

Each year, iF International Forum Design organizes one of the world’s most celebrated and valued design competitions: the iF DESIGN AWARD. Recognized as a symbol of design excellence around the world, the iF DESIGN AWARD welcomes over 5,000 submissions from 70 countries every year.

The post ASUS Sweeps UP AWARDS @ iF Design Awards 2018 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Lenovo, known for it’s personal computing products brings us Star Wars as it should be. Up close and in your face. Literally.

Their Star Wars: Jedi Challenges AR unit released late 2017 and showcased the unit to us here at STG in a one-on-one at Armageddon 2017.

While the video gaming industry is going down the Virtual Reality (VR) track, Lenovo opted to utilize AR (Augmented Reality) which is also seeing a surge with the newly released Windows 10 update for Mixed Reality.

Unlike VR, which closes you off completely from the world around you and places you into a virtual 360 Degree interactive environment, AR makes use of your real world environment and most smartphones are equipped with AR technology already built in to their camera software.

The Star Wars: Jedi Challenges is a completely stand along product, not reliant on anything but your phone and places you in to the throes of battle against virtual Star Wars opponents to the likes of Lightsaber battles against the Kylo Ren and even Darth Vader himself.

The light-weight headset has a tinted but clear visor, so you can still see your surroundings and any objects that are likely to be in your way.

There is a bit of a set up though, before you can harness the power of the Force.

You will need to use your iOS or Android smartphone (generally up to a 6.3 inch smart device will fit the internal adjusters) and install the Jedi Challenges App from Disney.

The App does cater for specific Android and Apple smartphones, however, if yours is not on the list (which I am told is being updated regularly) then you just need to find the best match.

Along with the headset there is also a ‘Lightsaber’ controller which will connect to your phone via bluetooth and the headset and Saber need to ‘see’ the floor sensor Beacon, which for optimal play needs to be around 3 meters from where you are standing.

Once you have paired up the Lightsaber, start the Jedi Challenges App and go through the setup tutorial.

Swipe your way through all of this – then slot your phone in to the device bay, which inserts like a cassette in to the AR headset.

Connect the micro or USB-C cable from your smartphone to the headset, and make sure the headset is on (and charged).

Both the headset and the Lightsaber controller are rechargeable, however oddly the floor Beacon sensor is not and runs on AA Batteries.

Phew, set up done and you’re good to go.

It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but after you have played the Jedi Challenges AR a few times, it becomes super quick to connect up and start battle.

Playing the AR Game is so worth the time it may take to get going.

Before you is a set of Lightsaber wielding options, you can train, you can battle, in real time in your own real world as the characters from Star Wars appear before you in an alternate reality.

Your Lightsaber control becomes the real thing in this Star Wars universe that you have awoken and your aim is to survive Saber fights and work your way up to the rank of Jedi among many differing Star Wars planets and environments as you unlock them.

While scoring hits with a Lightsaber on any given day is a satisfactory achievement, the Lenovo Star Wars: Jedi Challenges offers strategic play aswell with HoloChess and super impressive and immersive on-ground army battles.

The fights can be fairly easy through to insane. There will be a learning curve at first as you get used to the AR, but once you’ve mastered it, you will work out your opponents pattern (and they do have one), especially if you replay the same match a few times.

The wow factor of the Lenovo Star Wars: Jedi Challenges is way up there, but after many, many goes on the device the novelty does wane slightly.

Disney (who own the Star Wars / Lucasfilm franchise) and Lenovo are well aware of this and constant updates to the Jedi Challenges App ensure that there will always be more content, keeping the AR kit as relevant and exciting as the day you bought and unboxed it.

Being that the AR headset is actually a very simplistic affair, basically mirroring your smartphones screen through the goggles of the visor with some control functionality and enabling your phone to do the App and AR Processing, the whole set up is on the lower side of the price factor.

Around $399.00 AUD or $349.00 NZD make this a worthy purchase or those that have gotten in to the VR craze and are keen to give a real AR device a go.

Lenovo have managed to bring AR to the masses and within affordability and to say that Jedi Challenges is not an addictive workout is an understatement.

You definitely need to try one of these out and unleash that Jedi within.

The post Lenovo Star Wars: Jedi Challenges AR Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Microsoft Corp shared a few announcements with us here at STG including the introduction of the Surface Book 2, launch of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and Windows Mixed Reality headsets and experiences.

From the initial launch of Windows 10, Microsoft has been on a mission to empower the creator in all of us and believes in the fundamental human need to create to propel the world forward.

Today, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update offers breakthroughs in creativity – from bringing mixed reality and 3D to the masses, to faster broadcasting for gaming, to turning photos and videos into real memories, and so much more. The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update can be experienced on a wide variety of Windows 10 PCs and on a range of Windows Mixed Reality headsets available for the first time today.

Microsoft believes the PC is the ultimate canvas for creativity and can empower people to create like never before. This is why the company is building Surface to be the ultimate laptop, and today introduces the Surface Book 2, the most powerful Surface yet.

Surface Book 2

The PC is the platform to power the next wave of creativity and Surface is the tip of the spear of innovation to help drive this next wave forward.

One of the most powerful ways to experience the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is on the Surface family of devices. We are building Surface to be the ultimate laptop, infusing versatility, performance, and design into every product we make and creating a stage for the best of Windows and Office. More than ever there is a need for a class of high performance devices that don’t compromise the versatility and style laptop customers want.

Today, we’re excited to introduce the latest in the Surface family: Surface Book 2 – a powerhouse laptop with amazing graphics and up to 17 hours of battery life. Now available in a 13.5” and 15” option, Surface Book 2 is the most powerful Surface we’ve ever built. With the latest 8th generation Intel Dual-Core and Quad-Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, Surface Book 2 has up to five times the graphics performance of the original Surface Book and is twice as powerful as the new MacBook Pro.

But more than just raw power, Surface Book 2 is built for the way customers work and create. It gives the power of a laptop, the versatility of a tablet and the freedom of a portable studio all in one beautifully-styled device.

Surface Book 2 is powerful enough to run professional software like Adobe, Autodesk, and Dessault flawlessly and plays popular PC games at 1080p, 60 FPS, including demanding titles like Forza Motorsport 7 and Gears of War 4.

Surface Book 2 joins Surface Laptop and Surface Pro to round out a strong portfolio of laptops that are designed to not only allow people to experience Windows Mixed Reality and gaming, and be productive anywhere, but also to empower the artists, designers, developers, and engineers who are leading the next wave of creative innovation.

The new Surface Book 2 13.5” laptop that starts at $2549.00 (NZD) will be available for pre-order in NZ on November the 9th, 2017.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is packed with new innovations including new Inking experiences such as inking directly on PDFs, a new Find my Pen feature, Continue on your PC with Cortana or your phone’s browser including, Microsoft Edge for seamless Windows experiences across devices, enhanced security and privacy features, and improvements in accessibility, including Eye Control.

Mixed Reality for the Masses

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update introduces mixed reality to the masses. With mixed reality, Microsoft seeks to fundamentally improve the way people create, communicate and play. Customers can transcend time and space and immerse themselves in any environment, helping ideas break free from the boundaries of paper or screens.

Until now, any practical use of mixed reality required the use of a headset and for immersive virtual reality, people had to mount cameras in the corners of their home. And they couldn’t take their headset with them to a friend’s house or their workplace. That changes with the availability of Windows Mixed Reality headsets. Windows Mixed Reality headsets allow customers to take them on the go.

The Fall Creators Update also includes the Mixed Reality Viewer, which brings mixed reality to the PC. By simply using the camera on a PC, customers can see 3D objects mixed into their actual surroundings – people, places, things, or anything they can imagine.

From innovative and affordable new Windows Mixed Reality headset to technology to experience mixed reality on a PC, many components are coming together to introduce the world to mixed reality. Now customers can enjoy travel, sports, live concerts and gaming like never before in their own virtual home with content from over 20,000 apps in the Windows Store.

3D will offer the next major boost to human productivity, enabling a next generation of computing that moves far beyond the 2D world. This is powerful because 3D is truly representative of the world we live in – improving the way people comprehend, retain and learn.

Again with the Fall Creators Update, Microsoft enables anyone to create in 3D. Over 100 million people use Microsoft Paint every single month and now with Paint 3D they can all become 3D creators – easily manipulating objects, creating and sharing in 3D. With the Fall Creators Update, customers can now bring 3D objects into Office files, including PowerPoint presentations and Word documents, to dramatically improve their storytelling and improve comprehension. Objects can rotate and animate within a presentation. And with the Mixed Reality Viewer, 3D creations can easily be dropped into the physical world. 3D is great for students, professionals or anyone who wants to create. 

Gaming becomes even more Interactive

Gaming is the fastest growing form of entertainment because it is incredibly interactive. Gaming has also never been more popular on Windows, with over 200 million monthly active users gaming on Windows 10.

With the explosion of interest in eSports and interactive game streaming, more people watch gameplay than actually play games. Microsoft launched Mixer, the only near real-time, interactive game streaming service, to help everyone broadcast, watch or interact with other gamers.

With the Fall Creators Update, Mixer becomes even better – people can now launch and jump into a game stream faster than before. Game Mode also enables developers to access all the power of the PC and dedicate it to games, delivering a more performant gaming experience on Windows 10.

The next era of gaming is coming with the new improvements in the Fall Creators Update, immersive gaming experiences for Mixed Reality, and the upcoming launch on November the 7th, 2017 of Xbox One X, the world’s most powerful console built for true 4K gaming.

Creating Memories with Photos & Videos

Photos and videos have never been more popular on Windows, with more than 250 million active users of Photos on Windows 10.

In the Fall Creators Update the Photos app is totally reimagined, so people can easily convert photos into memories and stories with personalized 3D effects, Ink, transitions, and video – no editing experience required. Customers can take photos and simply and easily edit them into a collage of photos and videos with a soundtrack, theme, ink and cinematic transitions. For example, with 3D, objects can be made dynamic, like a soccer ball bursting into flames as it passes the goalie and soars into the net.

Microsoft believes the need to create has never been more important. The company believes Surface can continue to inspire and enable creativity and is excited to work with device partners to deliver incredible modern devices this holiday. The Windows ecosystem fosters incredible innovation, and this holiday, there will be a range of beautifully designed, and feature-rich, modern devices. These include new Windows 2-in-1s, laptops, all-in-ones, gaming PCs that feature Intel’s new 8th Generation Intel Core processors, the latest NVIDIA GPUs enabling Windows Mixed Reality experiences, long battery life, and OLED and 4K screens for the most stunning visuals.

From new PCs from Surface and our partners, new Windows Mixed Reality headsets and motion controllers – to the world’s most powerful console in Xbox One X – Windows devices are available to empower the creator in all of us.

The post Announcing Surface Book 2, Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and Mixed Reality Headsets! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.