Microsoft’s Surface Hub large-screen collaboration device will be available for businesses to order in 24 markets across the world from 1 July. TDMaverick is one of two main European distributors: “We will cover a large majority of the major territories in Europe,” said Jon Sidwick, European director of TDMaverick.
Previewed at ISE 2015, Microsoft Surface Hub combines Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office, OneNote and Universal Windows apps to deliver “a new kind of productivity experience optimised for groups”, according to Microsoft. It is available in two main configurations, 55in and 84in. US list prices for these are $6,999 and $19,999 respectively: Sidwick commented that the European pricing would be a pure currency conversion into euros or sterling once the product is added to Maverick’s stockist.
“With Surface Hub you get a full collaboration and communication product covering everything from basic peer-to-peer presentation all the way through to multi-site, multi-room videoconferencing and data collaboration,” said Sidwick.
Based around the Windows 10 interface, the device is designed to be easy to use straight away – whiteboarding, initiating a videoconference or sharing content. Additionally, users can use a wide variety of Windows apps to put real-time data and business tools at the centre of meetings.
“While there are a number of devices designed to improve our productivity as individuals, there has yet to be a device that is truly optimised for a group of people to use together — designed not just for what we need to do, but how we want to work. Until now,” said Mike Angiulo, corporate vice president, Microsoft Devices. “Just as the PC revolutionised productivity for individuals, Surface Hub will transform the way groups of people work together.”
The Surface Hub experience is designed around a highly responsive screen built for ink and touch. Both versions of Surface Hub are integrated with optically bonded displays capable of detecting 100 points of multitouch and up to three simultaneous pen inputs, dual 1080p front-facing video cameras, and a four-element microphone array that detects and follows voice to eliminate background noise during videoconferencing sessions. Surface Hub also features built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and a variety of ports for easy wired and wireless connectivity options, allowing devices to share content to the screen.
Microsoft is also partnering with control, automation and conferencing system specialists such as Crestron and AMX to provide holistic collaboration spaces that put Surface Hub at the centre of workspace transformation initiatives.
Surface Hub and related accessories will be available to order starting 1 July and will begin shipping worldwide in September in 24 markets: the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
