Looking ahead: What to expect from Surface and Windows in 2022

Surface Studio 2 Source: Windows Central

Yesterday, we published our predictions and expectations for what could be in store for Xbox in the year ahead, and now nosotros're doing the aforementioned for Windows and Surface! 2022 was a surprisingly big year for Microsoft, with the introduction of a new version of Windows, the unveiling of a new flagship Surface laptop and major redesign of the Surface Pro, and the 20th ceremony of Xbox. Tin nosotros expect 2022 to be on a like level in regard to huge announcements, changes, and milestones?

10 years of Surface

2022 will marking the tenth ceremony of Surface, which first launched with the Surface RT in October 2022. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft will proceed to churn out new Surface hardware next year, though I doubtable the chip shortage has pushed dorsum a number of planned product releases until the second half of the year. I hear the offset half of 2022 volition only run across i new Surface product launch, that existence the Surface Laptop Become 2 with an 11th-generation Intel chip within.

The first half of the twelvemonth should see existing products like the Surface Laptop Studio and Surface Pro X Wi-Fi models made available in more markets, and we're also expecting to see the launch of Surface Go 3 with LTE and Surface Pro 8 with LTE as well.

In the 2nd half of 2022, I'g hearing that Microsoft intends to send a handful of new Surface products, including refreshes of the Surface Pro and Surface Pro X with twelfth-gen Intel and Microsoft "SQ3" chips respectively. I also await to see an updated Surface Laptop with Intel 12th-gen and AMD Rembrandt series fries.

Surprisingly, I'thou too expecting Microsoft to finally ship a successor to the Surface Studio 2 in the second half of 2022. Microsoft had originally intended to ship a Surface Studio iii in 2022, just the pandemic and chip shortage postponed that plan until a after date. Sources tell me it's finally on the docket for 2022, so let's hope there are no further delays.

What I'grand not expecting to run into from Surface in 2022 include a new Surface Laptop Studio and Surface Go, as those were just just released or refreshed, and those products are on an eighteen-month or 24-month refresh cycle. I'm also not expecting to see the Surface Neo.

Surface Duo 2 Hero Source: Windows Central

That brings us to Surface Duo, which may likewise miss out on a hardware release in 2022. My sources tell me this programme could still change, but as it currently stands Microsoft does not intend to ship Surface Duo 3 next year and is targeting a 2023 release instead. Perhaps this volition requite Microsoft a chance to apply 2022 to focus on fixing upwards the software and OS problems that take plagued the Duo line so far.

Finishing upward Windows 11

Regarding Windows, Microsoft has already said that the next version of Windows 11 will begin shipping in the second half of 2022, which lines up with Microsoft's new release cadence for Windows in general. I'thou told the current engineering schedule has mainline evolution on version 22H2 scheduled for completion in May 2022, with a terminal build expected one-time in the summer and general availability in the autumn.

Version 22H2 is said to serve a similar purpose to that of Windows 10's version 1511, which focused on "finishing off" the Os with features and changes that simply didn't arrive in time for the initial release. This will include features such as a true arrangement wide dark mode that touches legacy UI in improver to modern interfaces, and the return of missing functionality, specially around the Taskbar.

Microsoft is also expected to expand the Widgets console with new features and support for third-party widgets. I'1000 told some developers have already been briefed on how third-party widgets volition work. Users volition be able to download new Widgets from the Microsoft Store, though unpackaged apps from exterior the Store volition exist able to provide their ain widgets as well. Android app support is also fix to transport with version 22H2.

Version 22H2 is codenamed "Sun Valley 2" internally, which lends further credence to the 1511 comparison, every bit that was codenamed Threshold ii after the initial release. A number of in-box apps are too expected to get updates, including Notepad and Groove Music, both of which are already in preview.

Outlook Web App Source: Windows Fundamental

I'm besides expecting the Mail service & Calendar apps to exist replaced with Microsoft's "Project Monarch" Outlook customer in 2022. Microsoft had originally planned to transport previews of the Monarch client this twelvemonth, but wasn't able to exercise so for unknown reasons. I'm told the client is however on track to ship in 2022, so possibly we'll hear more than about this new client in the coming months.

I've heard Windows on ARM will be a focal point for Microsoft in 2022. In the spring, I'm told that Microsoft is planning to send its own ARM devkit with a flagship processor based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen3. Non much else is known about the hardware, but sources say Microsoft is serious nigh Windows on ARM and is excited about the platform going into 2023.

That brings us to HoloLens, which I'thou torn about whether or not we'll see a third generation in 2022. Given that HoloLens 1 was released in 2022, and HoloLens two in 2022, a HoloLens iii in 2022 would make sense. Microsoft'south head of Mixed Reality experiences, Alex Kipman, has already said that a HoloLens 3 is in development and will focus on three central areas, those beingness improved immersion, comfort, and acceptability. And then nosotros'll have to run across virtually seeing it launch in 2023.