Hands-on with the slick new Surface Hub 2 and its version of Windows Core OS

This week at Microsoft Ignite, I had the hazard to go hands-on with the new Surface Hub 2S and Surface Hub 2X. I was able to bear on them, ask questions, and find out a little more almost the upcoming collaborative display from Microsoft. Surface Hub 2S and Surface Hub 2X are 2 very interesting devices, if only considering they're well-nigh the same device — the only real departure between them is software.

Before we dive into the software, however, let's talk a fleck more nearly that hardware. This was the first time I had seen a Surface Hub 2 up close, and unfortunately, nosotros were not immune to take photos or video of the devices. I can describe them to you, though: they are fantastic. You'll find a USB-C port on all iv sides of the Surface Hub 2 and so that you can plug in Surface Hub ii peripherals like a webcam, fingerprint reader, and possibly other accessories in the future, no thing the orientation.

They both also feature the same 4K display, and four loud and clear speakers which are placed at the top and bottom of the left and right sides of the display, Unfortunately, Microsoft was not ready to talk about specifications such as processor, RAM, etc. so, for at present, we don't know what those are going to be.

Surface Hub 2S

Starting with the Surface Hub 2S, this is the device that will brainstorm aircraft to customers in Q2 2022. It looks and feels exactly like the Surface Hub 2X, only with a couple of minor differences. Showtime, it doesn't come with a fingerprint reader. Surface Hub 2S doesn't support the fingerprint module due to the Bone being the old Surface Hub one Bone. There's also no way to tile the Surface Hub 2S either, meaning you lot can't utilise multiple Hub 2'southward side-by-side as one giant screen.

The other notable difference near this hardware is that the Surface Hub 2S is configured in the landscape orientation, which cannot be inverse. The Surface Hub 2S cannot rotate into portrait mode like in the videos we've seen, likely because the old Hub OS doesn't back up this functionality. The rotation mechanism is locked out of box and will unlock when you lot switch out the upgradable figurer in the dorsum to the Surface Hub 2X module.

Surface Hub 2X

Surface Hub 2X is the device Microsoft announced earlier this yr and won't be available until sometime in 2022. It is the jaw-dropping, smooth rotating, fluid, and beautiful Surface Hub 2 feel we've seen in the videos, and it is real. Differences in hardware include the upgraded estimator module in the dorsum, fingerprint reader back up, and the power to rotate the screen.

Microsoft was unable to show u.s. the tiling feature, which lets you stack multiple Surface Hub two's together to make one giant screen, equally the hardware still isn't final. The demo nosotros received included the cool rotation trick, opening a file in Part, and joining a video phone call in Microsoft Teams. When in portrait manner, video calls brand the person on the other cease feel almost life-sized.

I had the chance to use the rotation mechanism on the Surface Hub 2X, and it works really well. It doesn't feel heavy, and it locks into the horizontal or vertical positions so that you don't accidentally crash-land it out of orientation. The software effect that keeps text and windows stock-still in place when rotating looks cool, but equally the software is nevertheless very early, it was a little jaggier than what we've seen in the official promo video, but still awesome nonetheless.

Windows Core Os

So, I was personally very excited to get my hands on the Surface Hub two because I was very interested in poking around in the Os. As we've written near in the past, Microsoft is working on a new, modern and universal version of Windows ten chosen Windows Core OS, which will run on all kinds of devices, including Andromeda, HoloLens, and of grade, the Surface Hub 2X. The version of Windows Core Bone that runs on Surface Hub 2X is known as Aruba, or Hub OS, and features an experience tailored to the large, collaborative display form-factor.

This is the first time Microsoft has allow press play around with a version of Windows Core Os, only the company still isn't gear up to talk officially almost what Windows Core OS is all about. Nonetheless, I had a brief few minutes to tap effectually the Bone to encounter if I could discover anything interesting. Microsoft was watching over my shoulder closely, however, and so I couldn't swoop in too much without someone telling me "NO!"

I could tell that the shell is CShell based, which is rocking the new, updated, and simplified System Tray design. The clock in the bottom right at present only shows the time, omitting the date which makes the whole thing expect much cleaner. Information technology likewise featured Command Centre, which something I wrote about dorsum in 2022. Control Eye looks very unlike in today's builds of Windows Core OS compared to what was leaked back in 2022, featuring Acrylic Mistiness furnishings and access to quick actions, a effulgence slider, and more.

The Start Button, Timeline, and People buttons are placed in the center of the taskbar, which does differ across the different Windows Core OS experiences. For case, on Polaris, the Start push is in its usual place. Placing the First and Task View buttons in the eye of the taskbar is much better on a device like Surface Hub 2X however, as it ways those using it tin can touch those buttons regardless of what side of the screen they're standing on.

Microsoft besides showed off multi-user support, which I believe is a Windows Core OS specific thing. This allows multiple users to be logged into the same desktop at the same fourth dimension, allowing documents and files to be shared across apps from two split accounts. This is the development of the "family desktop" idea that was originally put forward with Home Hub, at present being used on Surface Hub 2X.

The Surface Hub 2X lock screen is besides very beautiful. I believe you can ink straight onto the lock screen for quick annotation taking that remain there until wiped away. Microsoft is also working on live wallpapers for Windows Core OS devices, although that feature wasn't being demoed to us in our cursory session with the device. I also noticed that apps at present characteristic a slightly heavier drib-shadow effect, which looks really nice.

I did ask Microsoft most whether or non Surface Hub 2X volition run Win32 programs, but they were non willing to comment on that subject. I know from sources however that, at to the lowest degree as of right at present, Surface Hub 2X cannot run Win32 programs. Since it's running Windows Core OS, information technology doesn't have any of the legacy guts to be able to run those programs. It's a UWP-only feel.

Overall, Windows Cadre Os is yet absolutely happening. Information technology's the future of Windows beyond all these modern devices, which is super of import to stress. Information technology's unclear which devices will exist the showtime to ship with Windows Core OS all the same; nosotros know Surface Hub 2X is shipping in 2022, but HoloLens 2 is supposed to be appear next yr, and that volition run Windows Core Os as well. I have heard that Windows Core Os for HoloLens 2 is further backside than it is on Surface Hub 2X however, so we'll take to come across.

For now, I am very excited most Surface Hub 2 and Windows Cadre OS. What are your thoughts on the Surface Hub 2 so far? Permit us know in the comments.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/hands-surface-hub-2

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