Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Surface Dial during the launch of the Microsoft Surface Studio Device in New York City last October 26, 2016. The Surface Dial is a new peripheral device which will allow users to control functionality of a computer using their off-hand. According to Microsoft's press material, the input device is "a completely new way to interact with technology and create in the most natural, immersive way."
The Surface Dial comes as a peripheral device for the new Surface Studio computer, but it can also be used as a standalone device which can be programmed to perform a host of functions, including but not limited to: adjusting screen brightness, turning up and down system volume, providing easy access to shortcuts, controls, and drawing tools, or scroll through documents.
The Surface Dial, when placed on the screen, brings up a contextual radial menu that enables users to select colors and to do other chores with one hand, and allows the user to sketch using a Surface Pen with the other. In an interview with Wired, product manager Avi Negrin stated that users could work in their flow since they do not need to shift their attention from searching for tools to using them. Negrin added, "People don't have to be clicking different icons or task bars within apps."
The Surface Dial, powered by two AAA batteries, uses Bluetooth for communication and according to Microsoft, it is compatible with Surface Studio, Surface Book and Surface 4. The Surface Dial is also compatible with other third-party apps such as Revu, Drawboard PDF, Mental Canvas Player, Sketchable, Moho 12, Spotify, Staffpad, Word, PowerPoint, Excel (Office Win32), Microsoft Photos, and Adobe Photoshop, among others.
The Surface Dial can be used with any Windows 10 PC. In an interview with The Verge, Terry Myerson, Microsoft's head of devices and Windows revealed that there is a planned firmware update to let Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 owners attach the Surface Dial to their Display and have the same functionality as the Surface Studio.
The Surface Dial is available to pre-order only on the US Windows Store and will be available to the public on November 11, 2016, for $US 99.99.
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