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Custom Xbox Elite Series 2 gamepads start at $149 in Canada

Following the ‘Core in white‘ Elite Series 2 gamepad, Microsoft has revealed more details about its custom Elite Series 2 Xbox Design Lab option.

According to Microsoft, “nearly all” of the external parts of the Series 2 can be customized, including its body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks and buttons. In an Xbox Design Lab first, you can also select between a cross-shaped or faceted D-pad and customize the colour of the thumbstick and base ring. Like other Xbox Design Lab controllers, you can add a 16-character message to the gamepad.

Microsoft’s new custom Elite Series 2 starts at $149 for the base controller that doesn’t include back paddles or additional sets of thumbsticks. That said, ‘Elite Accessory Packs‘ with various thumbsticks, paddles and case options will be sold separately. On the other hand, a custom Elite Series 2 gamepad that includes paddles, extra thumbsticks, D-pad option and a carrying case/charging pack, starts at $209.99. If you don’t already own an Elite Series 2, this is likely the gamepad most people will be interested in.

The Elite Series 2 Xbox Design Lab option is coming to Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, most Western European countries, and select Southeast Asian countries.

While I once really liked Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 gamepad, the high-end controller has been plagued by hardware issues, and I’m on roughly my eighth gamepad currently (I keep getting it replaced under warranty). If it’s not the ‘A’ or ‘Y’ button only working 75 percent of the time, the right bumper or the joystick button stops working properly. I’ve even encountered problems with the Series 2’s back paddles and the gamepad constantly disconnecting.

With the release of this new Series 2 custom option, I’m hoping that Microsoft has finally ironed out the Xbox Elite Series 2’s several issues because if this gamepad features the same hardware as the current version of the gamepad, it’s not worth buying.

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Microsoft might be working on a Windows 11 floating taskbar

At Microsoft’s Ignite annual conference for developers and IT professionals, Satya Nadela, the tech giant’s CEO, showed off a concept Windows 11 UI that garnered a lot of attention.

During his keynote, Nadela showed off the UI working on a Surface Studio 2+, and people were quick to point out that the taskbar shown was a floating one, something not available currently with Windows 11.

It’s worth noting that Windows Insiders have previously tested a build of Windows 11 that featured a rounded floating taskbar, however, Microsoft brushed it off as a bug. “This looks like a bug. There are a few bugs like this that change the UI in various ways. It’s not something we’re doing any A/B testing on,” said Brandon LeBlanc, senior program manager for the Windows Insider Program team, back in August.

Current Windows 11 taskbar customizations include the ability to hide the taskbar, taskbar app badges, taskbar for multiple displays and more, as seen below:

It is currently unknown if the floating taskbar is something Microsoft wishes to add to all Windows 11 devices, specific devices like the Surface Studio 2+ or if the company doesn’t intend to roll out the feature any time soon.

Image credit: @thebookisclosed

Source: @FireCubeStudios Via: The Verge

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Microsoft reveals new Surface Laptop 5 with 12th Gen Intel processor

Microsoft has announced the latest addition to the Surface Laptop family. The new Surface Laptop 5 is the successor to the 2021-released Surface Laptop 4. The Laptop 5 once again comes in two PixelSense display sizes: 13.5-inch and 15-inch.

The 13.5-inch laptop has a 2256 x 1504 pixel screen resolution, while the larger version boasts a 2496 x 1664 pixel resolution display. Both feature Dolby Vision IQ support, alongside 10-point multi-touch.

Both laptops run on 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U processor, while the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 also comes in an optional 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor variant. Interestingly, it seems there’s no AMD-powered option this year. Microsoft says that the “Surface Laptop 5 is over 50 percent more powerful than its predecessor.”

Intel Iris Xe architecture power the graphics, alongside removable 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options. Customers can also pick between 8GB, 16GB and 32GB LPDDR5X RAM for their laptop.

Both, the 13.5-inch and 15-inch Surface Laptop 5 have 17-18 hours of battery life on average and come with a 60W power supply. The laptop has one USB-C  with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB-A 3.1 port, one 3.5mm headphone jack and one Surface Connect port.

The Surface Laptop 5 supports Microsoft Pen Protocol and is designed to work with the Surface Pen. Notably, it also features two Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos 6 for immersive audio alongside dual far-field Studio Mics for video calls and audio recording.

The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 is available in ‘Platinum with Alcantara,’ ‘Sage,’ ‘Matte Black,’ and ‘Sandstone’ colourways, whereas the 15-inch Surface Laptop 5 is available in ‘Platinum’ and ‘Matte Black’ colourways.

MobileSyrup has reached out to Microsoft for more information about Surface Pro 9 Canadian pricing and availability.

Keep an eye out on MobileSyrup next month for more coverage of the Surface Laptop 5.

Microsoft also announced the Surface Pro 9, Surface Studio 2+ and several new accessories.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Microsoft unveils new Surface Pro 9 with 5G connectivity

At its fall Surface event, Microsoft unveiled new Surface products, including the Surface Pro 9, the Surface Laptop 5, the Surface Studio 2+, an Audio Dock, Presenter+ remote and more.

The Surface Pro 9 2-in-1 uses high-grade aluminum casing for the machine’s body and is available in ‘Platinum,’ ‘Graphite,’ ‘Sapphire’ and ‘Forest’ colourways.

It features an edge-to-edge 2880 x 1920 pixel resolution display with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, alongside sRGB and Vivid colour profiles. The display supports 10-point multi-touch and is made of Gorilla Glass 5 for added durability.

The device offers a choice between the 12th Gen Intel Core processor built on the Intel Evo platform and a Microsoft SQ 3 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon with 5G connectivity. This marks a major shift for the Surface Pro line, which was previously

The regular Intel device is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB LPDDR5 RAM variants, whereas the 5G model is available in 8GB and 16GB LPDDR4X RAM models. On the storage side of things, the Surace Pro 9 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage models, while the Surace Pro 9 5G is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage units.

Similarly, the Surface Pro 9 runs on an Intel Iris Xe graphics card, whereas the Surface Pro 9 with 5G uses the Microsoft SQ 3 Adreno 8CX Gen 3 for graphics.

Both devices feature a front-facing HD camera with Windows Hello face authentication, alongside Omnisonic speakers and directional microphones, with two USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4, one Surface Connect port and one Surface Keyboard port on the Surface Pro 9. The Surface Pro 9 5G sports one nano SIM, two USB-C 3.2 ports, one Surface Connect port and one Surface Keyboard port on. Both variants feature a 10-megapixel autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4K video recording on the rear.

Both the Surface Pro 9 and Pro 9 5G are compatible with the Surface Slim Pen 2 with integrated storage and wireless charging for the pen with the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.

Both devices offer up to 17.5 hours of average battery life, with the Surface Pro 9 offering roughly 15.5 hours of typical usage and the Surface Pro 9 offering roughly 19 hours of typical usage.

MobileSyrup has reached out to Microsoft for more information about Surface Pro 9 Canadian pricing and availability.

Keep an eye out on MobileSyrup for more coverage of the Surface Pro 9.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Microsoft reveals new Surface Studio 2+ with updated CPU and GPU

Microsoft’s upgraded Surface Studio 2, the aptly named Surface Studio 2+, features a more powerful CPU and GPU, but otherwise is nearly identical to its predecessor.

New features include Intel’s 11th Gen H35 processor, offering 50 percent faster CPU speed and performance than the Surface Studio 2 and 5x more power than the original Surface Studio.

On the GPU side, the new Studio+ features Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, offering double the graphics performance of the Surface Studio 2. Other changes include three USB-C ports with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 and two USB-A 3.1 ports, compared to the Surface Studio 2’s 1 USB-C port and four USB 3 ports.

Of course, the excellent-looking 28-inch PixelSense touchscreen, stylus and very maneuverable ‘Gravity Hinge’ return as well. Storage comes in at 1TB (SSD), alongside 32GB of DDR4 RAM.

Overall, this seems like a relatively expected update to Microsoft’s creativity-focused Studio line, though one that might be of interest to those looking to get more power out of the unique desktop.

MobileSyrup has reached out to Microsoft for more information regarding the Surface Studio 2+ Canadian pricing and availability.

During its recent hardware keynote, Microsoft also revealed its new Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Pro 9.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Xbox reveals new ‘Lunar Shift Special Edition’ wireless controller

Microsoft has unveiled a new Xbox Wireless Controller, and it’s all about the moon.

The special edition gamepad, dubbed ‘Lunar Shift,’ has a silver-gold shimmer and rubberized gray and black swirl grips. It’s also got a textured grip on the triggers, bumpers and back-case. All in all, it looks like Marvel’s Moon Knight.

Like all of Xbox’s other modern wireless controllers, the Lunar Shift can be connected to Xbox consoles, PC and mobile devices. It’s priced at $79.99 on the Microsoft Store.

Xbox has also teamed up with Razer to offer a matching Lunar Shift Universal Quick Charging Stand for $50.99. You can order that from Razer’s website.

Source: Xbox

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Xbox Series X/S expansion cards on sale at Canadian retailers

The Xbox Series X/S Storage Expansion Cards are currently on sale at a couple of Canadian retailers.

Officially licensed by Seagate, the cards are the primary way to expand the storage on Series X/S. While you can use regular external hard drives, Seagate’s SSD-powered cards are required to download and play the current-gen versions of games.

That said, they can be pretty pricey, given their SSD nature. With that in mind, here are some of the current offers on the cards in Canada:

Amazon

  • 512GB — $149.99 (regularly $179.99)
  • 1TB — $269.99 (regularly $289.99)

Note that those two are sold and shipped by Amazon. The 2TB option is only available on the site through third-party sellers with no discount.

Best Buy

  • 512GB — $149.99 (regularly $179.99)
  • 1TB — $269.99 (regularly $289.99)
  • 2TB — $479.99 (regularly $519.99)

Image credit: Xbox

Via: Lbabinz (@Lbabinz)

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Xbox unveils ‘Mineral Camo Special Edition’ controller

A new camo-themed Xbox Wireless Controller has been announced.

The gamepad, dubbed the ‘Xbox Wireless Controller – Mineral Camo Special Edition,’ is Xbox’s fourth in its ‘Camo’ lineup, after ‘Night Ops Camo,’ ‘Arctic Camo’ and ‘Daystrike Camo.’

The Mineral Camo blends mineral blue, bright and dark purple and aqua into a camouflage pattern. Xbox says its unique ocean-themed tones were inspired by geode crystals.

Like all other modern Xbox controllers, the Mineral Camo can be used on Xbox consoles, PC and mobile devices. It’s available now via the Microsoft Store for $79.99 CAD. Razer is also selling a matching charging stand for $49.99 USD (about $68.50 CAD).

Source: Xbox

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Microsoft plans to ‘update and innovate’ Surface Duo form factor

Following rumours that the Surface Duo 2 might have been discontinued, Microsoft says it’s not and that it plans to “update and innovate” the form factor — Surface Duo 3, anyone?

Here’s how it all went down. Windows Central reported that the Surface Duo 2 was out of stock basically everywhere, from Best Buy to Microsoft’s own store in the U.S. (As an aside, currently ‘Obsidian’ variant is out of stock at Microsoft Canada, but the ‘Glacier’ variant is in stock and $600 off right now.) Anyway, Microsoft responded to the Windows Central report with the following statement:

“We are experiencing supply constraints that are impacting stock of Surface Duo 2 units. The product is not being discontinued. We continue to update and to innovate on this form factor and are excited by customer interest.”

So, if you want to buy a Surface Duo 2 but can’t, it’s because Microsoft is dealing with supply issues, not because it discontinued the product. But that second line in the statement is far more intriguing. Updates and innovations? How exciting.

Let’s start with updates. Google released Android 12L with a bunch of improvements for tablets and foldables. Last year, Windows Central said Microsoft was working on bringing 12L to the Surface Duo 2. That likely falls under the “update” category Microsoft mentioned in its statement, and hopefully will mean using the Surface Duo 2 will be smoother with official Android support for dual-screen devices.

As for the “innovate” part, it’s less clear what this could mean. Likely, it’ll be a Surface Duo 3 (or some other take on a foldable smartphone). Again, Windows Central previously reported Microsoft considered going to a single-screen foldable design, like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, rather than the current two-screen Duo design.

Whether we’ll see any of these changes from Microsoft in the future remains to be seen. The company does have a hardware event happening in October — perhaps we’ll learn about a new Duo device there.

Source: Windows Central

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Microsoft announces October 12 Surface event following leaks

Microsoft officially announced plans to host an event on October 12th to “talk about devices,” according to an invite sent out to media.

As noted by The Verge, the “Microsoft Fall 2022 Event” kicks off at 10am ET on October 12th just before the company’s Ignite conference starts. Moreover, the invite includes an image that looks a lot like the default Windows 11 wallpaper with an extra splash of colour. “Save the date” appears in what looks like handwriting — perhaps with a Surface Pen? — over the image.

Microsoft’s event invite | Via: The Verge

The official invitation comes just hours after details about upcoming Microsoft hardware emerged online. Per the rumours, Microsoft will likely unveil a Surface Pro 9 and a Surface Laptop 5 at the event with new colour options (including a ‘Forest’ green).

Interestingly, rumours suggest the Surface Pro 9 will sport an ARM processor, possibly a Microsoft SQ3 chip based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 platform. That could mean the Pro 9 will sport a redesign and that Microsoft could end the Surface Pro X, but it remains to be seen.

For those not interested in ARM-based Surfaces, the Pro 9, as well as the rumoured Surface Laptop 5, will reportedly sport 12th Gen Intel i5 and i7 chip options. There haven’t been any rumours about an AMD-powered Surface Laptop 5, but considering Surface chief Panos Panay recently tweeted a selfie with AMD CEO Lisa Su, I’d say it’s a safe bet that there’s some Surface with AMD device in the works.

Moreover, it seems this Surface event will be an online event, while the upcoming Ignite conference will be the company’s first big in-person event since the pandemic started.

For the latest on Microsoft’s new devices, keep your eyes on MobileSyrup.

Source: The Verge