Microsoft announces big media event for May 2 likely focusing on push in education and 'Cloud'

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On May 2, Microsoft will announce a new chapter in its hardware and education initiative.

Microsoft has some new hardware in the pipeline to reveal to the public. The company has just announced that on Tuesday, May 2 in New York and they will be giving details on a new product likely in the category of Surface. Media invites were sent to cover the event ensuring that this is not a small announcement.

Considering the release of the Windows 10 Creators Update this week and the recent press regarding Joe Belfiore's return to focus on education we may be seeing some connection between the two. Belfiore was cagey on Twitter last night about his return noting it wasn't just random timing.

Rumors about what can be announced seem to focus on Windows 10 Cloud. Microsoft likes to create new hardware to demonstrate the power of Windows 10 making it likely new hardware will match the announcement.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is also expected to be at the May 2 event signaling that whatever is announced is a significant shift for the company.

Windows 10 Cloud can only run Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps is more manageable for the education market. Likewise, we have seen internal documents comparing hardware goals for Windows 10 being compared directly to Google Chromebooks e.g. boot and resume times. Microsoft has been working very hard to make Windows 10 a full competitor to Chromebooks, and they could be ready to show that to the world.

Windows 10 Cloud hands on: An edition of Windows for Store apps only

Not the Surface Pro 5 (or phone) you are looking for

What is not expected, however, is any mainstream consumer products including any Surface Pro refreshes or anything related to phones. While Microsoft is likely working on such a product, we do not hear anything like that for this event.

Windows Central will be in NYC on May 2 to cover the announcement live as it happens including any hands-on and interviews. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

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Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.