Microsoft retakes the innovation crown with its new focus on creativity

There are three main highlights I want to focus on here:

1. 3D is now a focus of simplicity in Windows: Make no mistake, Microsoft Paint now including 3D drawing might seem insignificant, but this is going have a huge impact 5 – 10 years down the line. Why? Because the main limiting factor preventing adoption of 3D design and 3D printing technologies at the moment is the lack of skills associated with designing 3D objects. And those skills are best developed by introducing people to the concepts early in life, like in childhood. I remember clearly being the first generation to use MS Paint in Windows 3.1, and being excited to fill a shape with a different colour. While that itself is a simple (and somewhat worthless) skill, it starts the interest and learning journey which means I can now use more advanced image software like Photoshop. And in addition to designing objects in 3D in Paint, Microsoft is also producing smartphone camera technology to produce 3D renderings of real objects, and enabling 3D objects from Minecraft to be imported. All of these creations can then be printed using a 3D printer. Hear my prediction now: This is going to be the introduction to 3D design for millions of people which will make the skill mainstream in the next decade.
2. The new Surface Studio hardware: Shown in the image at the top of the page was the major hardware announcement from the event: a new all-in-one PC called Surface Studio, built specifically for professional creatives like designers, architects, writers and artists. The machine sports a 28-inch screen with incredible resolution and which is apparently the thinnest screen on the market, touch sensitivity so it can be drawn on like paper, and an integrated hardware box which houses pretty powerful components. But the real differentiator is the special hinges which allow the touch screen to effortlessly be moved from upright down to a 20° sketching angle, to directly replace the paper-based drafting table so many of these creatives use every day with a superior digital alternative. Just like the Surface Book of last year, the industry is now starting to agree that Microsoft is at the forefront of designing the most powerful, innovative and (most importantly) beautiful hardware in the world. This is important, because not only does Microsoft make billions selling their Surface hardware, they are showing the highest-end design-conscious consumers that Apple is no longer the king of innovation. Which couldn’t have come at a worse time for Apple, because…
3. Apple are starting to lag behind when it comes to innovation: Tim Cook has had a hard time replicating the innovation success of Steve Jobs. During his reign so far, the only truly new product offering they have come out with has been the Apple Watch, which so far has been a bit of a gimmick.

The MacBook Pro’s new Touch Bar

The critical consensus of the new MacBook is that once again the hardware is wonderful, but that the new Touch Bar isn’t exactly bold new innovation. In fact, compared to the Microsoft event the day before, many critics are agreeing that Microsoft may have actually overtaken Apple as the most innovative maker of computers out there right now, with bolder new ideas which actually add value at the high-end.

It is no surprise that Microsoft is finally putting investment and effort to ignite not only the creativity of the people using their products, but the people behind the scenes making them as well. Satya Nadella has openly talked about how innovation and creativity will be vital to grow and compete in the coming years, and is now enabling that attitude amongst his people as well. It is no wonder that the upcoming update to Windows 10 is being called the “Creator’s Edition”.