A closer look at the Microsoft Surface Hub: An infinite canvas, Minecraft, and more
At a Microsoft event last Friday on reinventing productivity, we managed to get a closer look at a working prototype of the Surface Hub, a huge display for group collaboration. Apparently, you can also run Minecraft on this thing.
Shown here is the 84-inch Surface Hub beside the Surface Pro 3.
Microsoft unveiled the Surface Hub back in January as a device to facilitate collaboration in the workplace. The giant display (available in either 55- or 84-inch versions) was really a huge all-in-one PC that would allow multiple people to draw on it, interact with presentations, and work together on ideas. At Microsoft’s event last Friday on reinventing productivity for businesses, we were able to get a closer look at the device and its various functions. And from what we’ve seen so far, it actually looks pretty exciting.
With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft is solidifying its push to enable a more seamless experience across multiple device types. The Surface Hub is part of that push, and Microsoft representatives took care to highlight the fact that apps on the Surface Pro 3 would work the same on the larger Surface Hub, allowing both devices to be used in tandem with each other.
This maps app will work exactly the same on a smaller device.
Other features include an infinite canvas within the OneNote whiteboard, which means that it’s virtually impossible to run out of space for your ideas. Like the smaller Surface, the Surface Hub also features palm detection technology, so there’s no danger of smudging someone else’s work, or your own, if you’re left-handed. Microsoft also showed off the ability to fluidly resize and reposition content on the canvas, allowing for even more flexibility when brainstorming.
The infinite canvas allows virtually unlimited space to collaborate and brainstorm. Individual elements can also be dragged around and resized.
Two pens sit on either side of the Hub. Power, brightness, and volume controls are located on the right edge, along with a USB 3.0 port for plugging in external hard drives or USB sticks.
Physical controls are found on the right edge of the display, alongside a USB 3.0 port.
Another interesting feature is the ability of the two 1080p webcams to automatically switch between each other depending on where you are standing. According to Microsoft, a four-element array of microphones at the top of the screen can detect your position based on where your voice is coming from, thus allowing the webcams to know when to make a switch.
The Surface Hub comes with two 1080p webcams that can switch between each other.
But it’s not all work and no play, and the Surface Hub is also capable of running Minecraft like any other regular PC.
The Surface Hub will even run Minecraft like any other Windows 10 PC.
The 55-inch Surface Hub will cost US$6,999, while the 84-inch model is far more expensive at US$19,999. It is slated for launch in 24 markets later this year, including Singapore. Upon launch, it will be available from select Microsoft partners and distributors, and the Microsoft online store. It ships with two Surface Hub pens, a Microsoft all-in-one media keyboard, and Microsoft Office.
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