It has been just over two months since Microsoft unveiled a number of new devices at its Windows 10 device event in October. Now Microsoft South Africa has launched a few of these devices locally at a media event earlier today.

New flagships in town

Aiding on the mobile front. The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will have the honour to be the first Windows Mobile 10 devices to land in the country. They are also Microsoft's respective smartphone and phablet flagships, touting the Continuum functionality amid a range of highly specced components. More importantly, both devices are available to purchase from local carriers now, with the 5.2 " Lumia 950 carrying a RRP of R10 549 and the larger 5.7" Lumia 950XL listed at R11 499.

The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are the first Lumia phones to come pre-loaded with the Windows 10 OS, as well as access to key apps like Office and OneDrive. Such applications will form an integral part of Continuum, which allows users to plug their smartphone into a display and keyboard. As such, Microsoft is hoping that Continuum will change the way users think about and conduct productivity.   

Creating the entertainment hub

Beyond productivity on every device and screen size, Microsoft also wants Windows 10 to unlock more entertainment for Xbox gamers, specifically the Xbox One. Powered by Windows 10, the new Xbox One experience (nXOe) has become available for local gaming consoles. According to Microsoft, this free update (review) is a complete redesign that integrates TV, movies and PC content together in a more intuitive way. “With Windows 10 and these new Microsoft devices, you are at the centre of magical new experiences,” says Anthony Doherty, Operating Systems group lead of Microsoft South Africa.

Additionally, Xbox One's backward compatibility will allow Xbox One gamers to play Xbox 360 games, with 100 games already available and more titles in the release pipeline for upcoming months. Backward compatible Xbox 360 games will also be playable on Windows 10 PCs or notebooks through game streaming from the console, according to Microsoft.

In other news

Unfortunately, there is no news on the Microsoft Band or Surface front. When asked about whether there have been any discussions to bring either the Microsoft Band wearable, Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 to South Africa, Microsoft says there are no developments that can be disclosed at this stage. Whether or not Microsoft South Sfrica know more about a future release than this official line remains to be seen, but we for one would love to see Microsoft-built tablets, notebooks and smartbands enter the country.