Earlier today, Microsoft held its keynote at IT Trade show Computex 2016 to showcase a range of new Windows 10 devices from various OEM partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and MSI. While all these OEMs may already be familiar to PC owners, the Redmond giant also teased a new 2-in-1 Porsche Design made in partnership with a “local OEM”. More details from the official blog post below:
Porsche Design and a local OEM have collaborated to develop an exciting new 2-in-1 device. The device will support Windows 10 features like Windows Hello 2.0, Cortana and new Inking Features coming with the Windows Anniversary Update due later this summer. The device will come with a pen, 13.3”screen, Intel processor, and hardware components. It will be available this Winter.
While this 2-in-1 device definitely looks pretty, the hardware specs are still quite a mystery. However, the most interesting part from Microsoft’s blog post may be the mention of “Windows Hello 2.0” as it seems it’s the first time that the company has been talking about it. If you’re not familiar with it, Windows Hello is a is a more personal way to sign in to your Windows 10 devices (either PCs or phones) with just your face or a fingerprint. Microsoft already implemented the feature on the latest Surface Pro devices as well as its 5th generation Lumia handsets Surface Pro 4 through iris scanners, and third-party OEMs have also started to ship new laptops supporting the feature over the last few months.
At Computex, Microsoft also highlighted a demo of a wearable fingerprint scanner using Windows Hello technology.
Windows Hello 2.0 may well bring support for new authentification methods beyond iris scanners, infrared cameras and fingerprint readers. Earlier in March, we reported that Microsoft was working on a new app called “Phone Sign-In” that could let users sign into their Windows 10 PC by using their phone’s Bluetooth connection. Microsoft could also well allow wearables such as the Microsoft Band 2 to be Windows Hello-enabled. Stay tuned on WinBeta as we’re going to dive in all Computex 2016 announcements today.
