Back in July, photographs from inside a building on Microsoft's Redmond campus gave hints at four new Surface devices on the way, including one reserved for launch this year. In the weeks from that point, speculations have emerged about what those devices may be, fueled by the rumor that the company has been working on a new member of all-in-one PCs under its premium hardware brand.
Recently, Mary Jo Foley revealed fresh details about Microsoft's plans - and it seems we may not have to wait too long to find out some of what it has in store.
Project Rio
According to Mary Jo, Microsoft will hold a hardware launch event in late October, just over a year after it's New York City event at which it revealed the Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 and 950 XL, and Band 2. Curiously, the event itself is said to have a codename, alluded to as 'Project Rio'.
Delay of Release
Those seeking after the Surface Book 2 and Surface Pro 5 to be announced next month look set to be frustrated, as Mary Jo's sources tell that the new-generation devices won't arrive until around Spring 2017, when the Windows 10 Redstone 2 update is expected to be released. But it would seem that Microsoft might be preparing to "refresh" its current Surface Book and Pro 4 devices, with upgraded processors and possibly some other small changes.
Additional delays
It additionally appears that a replacement for the Surface 3 won't be revealed next month either. Microsoft said in June that production of that device would stop by the end of the year, and a few retailers have been offering clearance discounts to shift remaining stocks.
However, it would appear that Windows fans might be waiting quite a while longer for the arrival of the much awaited 'Surface phone'. While Microsoft is likely to unveil a range of new gadgets with its Redstone 2 discharge next spring, Mary Jo says her sources have suggested that the Surface phone's launch "could be considerably later". Mary Jo also reported in July that the Surface phone may not arrive until later in 2017, and it seems those plans haven't changed.
