Microsoft launches Lumia phones, new Surface Book, Bank 2 at NY event

Its Windows 10 OS is notable for its embrace of biometric security via Windows Hello, a user authentication system relying primarily on facial recognition, but also capable of fingerprint and iris scanning. The new Lumia 950 and 950 XL are said to be released with built-in Windows 10. The leading company also unveiled three phone devices at an event in New York.

The Lumia 950 and 950 XL will be available in November in the United States, but a release date for the UK has not been confirmed. The only thing missing was the mobile version of Windows 10; with no word on how soon will it be available for all mobile devices.

Windows 10 Mobile is Microsoft’s latest play to make a significant mark in the smartphone market, where it now holds less than a 3 percent share, with IDC predicting that figure to remain unchanged for the next 12 months.

As noted by the Sydney Morning Herald, executive Panos Pranay shared that the new Surface Book is twice as fast when compared to the MacBook Pro. Also, the keyboard has back lit keys and the laptop has a glass trackpad that features five points of touch that activates different Windows 10 actions.

The only non-Lumia device included in the list is the HTC One M8 for Windows.

“The Lumia 950 XL has a powerful octa-core processor and a 5.7” Quad HD display.

Microsoft reiterated that only Lumia handsets running Windows Phone 8.1 with the Denim update will get upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile.

The feature allows users to scan their face iris or fingerprints to verify their identity and give them access to Windows phones laptops and personal computers. The phones give support in creation of impressive photographs, thanks to a 20MP sensor and a new, triple-LED flash which allows its camera to create a few colorful photos.

While it’s good to know that the above Lumia devices have been confirmed for the update we should note the wording of the Facebook reply says that the upgrade will begin rolling out in December.