Expectations for Microsoft Build 2024: The Surface event, Windows 11 and AI

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and Microsoft, one of the giants in the industry, is preparing to impress once again with its annual Microsoft Build 2024 event. This highly anticipated event, to be held in Seattle, promises to be one of the most important events ever organized by the Redmond-based company.

The focus will undoubtedly be on the new Surface devices, which promise to offer cutting-edge performance thanks to the adoption of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip. But it is not only the hardware that will catalyze the interest of enthusiasts and industry insiders. Artificial intelligence, now ubiquitous in the tech world, will play a prominent role, with the expected debut of AI capabilities within Windows 11.

So, what should we expect from Microsoft Build 2024? Let’s find out together in this article, which explores in detail what’s coming, from the latest developments in Redmond’s operating system to the innovations that will characterize the new Surface devices.

The new Surface devices: revamped design and AI performance

One of the central elements of Microsoft Build 2024 will undoubtedly be the announcement of the new Surface devices, the company’s line of premium computers and tablets. According to rumors, the main updates will concern the Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10 models.

The new Surface Laptop 6 is expected to feature thinner bezels, larger trackpads, and an improved port selection. In addition, versions powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip are expected to arrive, which will provide high-end all-in-one AI performance.

As for the Surface Pro 10, Microsoft is likely to unveil an Arm architecture-based variant, which will share the design of the enterprise model launched in March, but with revamped accessories, including a Type Cover with a dedicated button for the Copilot virtual assistant.

According to rumors, these new Surface systems could even surpass the performance of Apple’s MacBook Air with M3 chip, both in terms of speed and AI processing capabilities.

Improvements in x86 emulation on Arm systems.

A crucial aspect for the success of the new Surface Arms will undoubtedly be the improvement of x86 emulation, an Achilles’ heel of the previous Surface Pro 9 5G model.

Poor x86 software emulation had been a major criticism of the Surface Pro 9 5G, powered by Microsoft’s SQ3 chip based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. This configuration had proved disappointing and frustrating in daily use, to the point that Microsoft was accused of marketing the device as a “Pro” product despite its obvious limitations.

Now, however, it appears that the Redmond company has been working to significantly improve x86 emulation on its Arm systems. This should ensure better compatibility with legacy applications, overcoming one of the obstacles that had previously held back the adoption of Surface devices based on alternative architecture to x86.

The arrival of the AI Explorer on Windows 11.

In addition to the hardware improvements, one of the main items of interest for Microsoft Build 2024 will undoubtedly be the introduction of new AI features within Windows 11. Central to these new features will be the AI Explorer, a suite of artificial intelligence tools that will enhance the user experience of the operating system.

According to rumors, theAI Explorer will include a number of innovative features, such as an AI-powered search engine that can understand natural language queries and return more relevant results. In addition, a new timeline is expected to be added that will allow users to easily review recent activities on their computer.

Another key element will be the introduction of contextual suggestions, which will appear based on the user’s current context. These features will be made possible thanks to the high computing power of the Snapdragon X Elite chip, which will ensure high-level local AI performance.

Copilot AI increasingly integrated and intelligent

Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly be one of the key players at Microsoft Build 2024, and this will be reflected in the further development and integration of the Copilot system in several areas.

Originally launched as an assistant for programmers on GitHub, Copilot has now become an umbrella brand that identifies Microsoft’s entire suite of AI tools, including Bing Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot for productivity applications.

With the arrival of Copilot Pro, a paid offering that gives access to OpenAI’s most advanced GPT models, Microsoft is clearly aiming to make its AI assistants increasingly sophisticated and versatile.

But the main goal for Microsoft Build 2024 will be to make Copilot increasingly “local”-that is, capable of performing basic tasks directly on the device, without the need for an Internet connection. This should enable faster and more responsive responses, overcoming one of the main limitations of current Copilot tools.

New Copilot integrations in Edge and Microsoft 365

In addition to making Copilot more locally autonomous and performant, Microsoft aims to further expand its integration into other key products and services.

According to previews, during Microsoft Build 2024 we will see the arrival of Copilot directly into the Edge browser, with enhanced assistance features for online navigation, search, and productivity.

In addition, there is expected to be an in-depth look at how Copilot will be integrated within Microsoft 365 applications , such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This could result in new automation tools, content generation, and contextual support for users of these productivity programs.

These integrations will further strengthen Copilot’s role as a ubiquitous virtual assistant in the Microsoft ecosystem, capable of supporting users in a wide range of daily tasks.

Other hardware and software innovations expected at Microsoft Build 2024

In addition to new Surface devices and artificial intelligence-related innovations, tech enthusiasts can expect other exciting news from the Microsoft Build 2024 event.

On the hardware front, there will not only be new Surface models, but also a number of laptops from other manufacturers that will integrate Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip. This processor is expected to deliver top-notch AI performance, positioning these systems as viable alternatives to Apple devices powered by M-series chips.

On the software side, in addition to theAI Explorer and Copilot evolutions, Microsoft is expected to present further developments and improvements for Windows 11. These could relate to the user interface, integration of new applications and services, and optimizations to provide an even smoother and more productive user experience.

In short, Microsoft Build 2024 promises to be a pivotal event for technology enthusiasts and all those who follow the evolution of the Windows ecosystem and Surface devices with interest.

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