Microsoft has launched a next generation Wireless Display Adapter. This new device improves upon the Miracast accessory it released back in 2014 with a new form factor and improved performance. In other Microsoft device news the firm has just released a BIOS update for its Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book computers, to address the previously reported battery sapping power management issues.
New Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
A new Miracast dongle has been launched by Microsoft. The updated device is available for pre-order now, costing $49.99, and will ship at the beginning of March. Like the previous model it allows users to wirelessly send what is displayed upon their compatible phone, tablet (such as the Surface range) or laptop to a big screen TV, projector or monitor, for example. You can switch back to working on other tasks on your device while the content keeps streaming on the second screen.
Microsoft talks up the new dongle on its device blog claiming that "It brings the best features and functionality of the first generation while reducing the latency and packing it into a new form factor".
Unlike some other wireless screen streaming devices Miracast doesn't limit you to use within certain apps or to certain content. It is Intel Wireless Display (Wi-Di) certified so can function with those devices too.
Surface Pro 4, Surface Book firmware updates
Users of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book have been rather annoyed about the devices' power management issues. While in 'sleep' these premium device have been merrily munching through batteries, having a big impact on their convenient utility value as portables.
Now Microsoft has released firmware updates to fix these, and other issues, with the newest Surface devices. The particular parts of the update, addressing power management (Surface Pro 4) are; "Surface System Aggregator Firmware update (v103.1081.260.0) improves accuracy of battery status and battery life during sleep." There is also a fix listed as "Surface UEFI update (v104.1085.768.0) improves battery life and improves stability during power state transition changes into and out of sleep states." And the "Intel HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4364) improves display stability, system stability and battery life," could be an important update to address the headlining issue.
If you own one of the affected devices and haven't received the above firmware and software updates as yet, you should be notified/updated shortly.
