Microsoft is gearing up to host a special Windows Mixed Reality event on October 3 instead of its annual hardware launch event. According to a report from Engadget, the Redmond-based company has sent out invites to media outlets to cover the upcoming event. The invite teases with the caption an “opportunity to hear where Microsoft is headed next.” Alex Kipman, the inventor of HoloLens and Kinect, will apparently give the Keynote address at the event.
Microsoft’s MR event drawing closer
For the last couple of years, Microsoft has hosted its events in New York City in late October.
In these events, the company unveiled its new Surface laptops and other hardware products. However, in 2017, in a break from tradition, Microsoft would be hosting a mixed reality event instead of a product launch. According to publication Business Insider, Microsoft will be spreading the news of its upcoming products all through October without arranging for a massive glitzy party.
The announcement also revealed that Microsoft would not be launching any new products till the end of 2017. The MR event will be held in San Francisco and will mainly focus on virtual and augmented reality. Although the event will see both AR and VR, it is rumored that Microsoft will be concentrating more on the virtual reality aspect of the program.
It is believed that the Fall Creators Update, which will be released on October 17, will bring VR features for Windows 10.
No new product launches for Microsoft in 2017?
Apart from the MR event, tech enthusiasts are looking forward to the Microsoft Future Decoded event. This is scheduled to take place in London on October 31.
People are waiting eagerly for the commencement of the event because it is rumored that Panos Panay would be addressing the event. For the unfamiliar, Panay is the company’s hardware chief. With the rumors of Panay’s appearance, tech enthusiasts are hopeful that a new Microsoft product launch will take place. However, going through the latest reports, that is highly unlikely.
Business Insider states that Panay will be present at the event only to create hype pertaining to the upcoming Surface product, but not launch any new hardware. Thus, based on this assertion, Microsoft will not be bringing out any new hardware for the rest of 2017.
Earlier in 2017, the company unveiled the new Surface Pro, as well as a refreshed Surface laptop. Rumors are rife that in line with the Fall Creators Update, Microsoft would be introducing a new line of VR headsets for those on a budget. These headsets are expected to sport a price tag of below $300. In November, the gaming community will also be getting the new Xbox One X gaming console.
