Available in 24 markets including Japan, to start shipping in September

Large-screen collaboration device available in US$6,999 and US$19,999 versions

MICROSOFT Corp said that its new large-screen collaboration device the Surface Hub will be available for businesses to order in 24 markets beginning July 1, with only two Asian countries on the list.



Singapore will be the only South-East Asian country getting it, joining Japan.



The device is available in two main configurations: Surface Hub 55-inch for US$6,999, and Surface Hub 84-inch for a whopping US$19,999.



Hardware innovations in touch and ink allow Surface Hub to harness the power of Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office, OneNote and Universal Windows apps to deliver a new kind of productivity experience optimised for groups, Microsoft said in a statement.



The device is designed for anyone to walk up and use, providing an engaging way to share ideas and information, the company said.



Right from the welcome screen it’s easy to start white-boarding, initiate a videoconference or share content.

Businesses will also be able to draw from a wide variety of Universal Windows apps to put real-time data and business tools at the centre of meetings, helping them gain insights and reach decisions faster, the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant said.



As a Windows 10 device, the Surface Hub benefits from Windows Update for Business, providing access to the latest innovation and security updates on an ongoing basis, it added.



“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,” said Microsoft Devices corporate vice president Mike Angiulo.



“Until now. … Just as the PC revolutionised productivity for individuals, Surface Hub will transform the way groups of people work together,” he declared.



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 voices to eliminate background noise during videoconferencing sessions.



It also features built-in WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC (near-field communications) and a variety of ports for easy wired and wireless connectivity options, allowing devices to share content to the screen.



Microsoft said it is working closely with a set of strategic partners to make it easy for businesses to deploy Surface Hub in their organisations.

Surface Hub and related accessories will be available to order starting July 1 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.



Customers interested in Surface Hub should work with an authorised reseller in their region, Microsoft said.

Related Stories:



Inside Microsoft: A peek into the heart of an empire



Microsoft making the right moves, but is it enough?



Dear Microsoft … Y U NO Xbox?





For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.