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Surface Dial

Touch Cover
Microsoft Surface with Touch Cover 2.jpg
Manufacturer Microsoft
Type pressure-sensitive keyboard
Type Cover
Surface Pro Signature Type Cover.jpg
Manufacturer Microsoft
Type initially, flat scissor switch
later, island Chiclet keyboard
Backward
compatibility
Surface Pro 2
Surface Pro 3
Surface Pro 4
Surface Pro (5th generation)
Surface Dock
Surface Pro 3 with Docking Station.jpg
Surface Pro 3 with Surface Dock
Manufacturer Microsoft
Type Docking Station
Backward
compatibility
Surface Pro 3
Surface Pro 4
Surface Dial
Manufacturer Microsoft
Power 2 AAA Alkaline batteries
Dimensions 2.32 inches (5.9 cm) (w)
1.18 inches (3.0 cm) (h)
Weight 5.11 ounces (145 g)
Backward
compatibility
Surface Pro 4
Surface Book
Surface Studio

The Microsoft Surface touchscreen Windows personal computers and interactive whiteboards designed and developed by Microsoft. Since its release in 2012, there have been various Surface accessories over the years. Most prominently, are the Surface keyboard covers and the Surface Pen, which were both introduced at launch. While the keyboard covers have all been sold independently of the Surface devices, the initial release of the Surface and Surface Pro had bundle options, which bundled the black Touch Cover. The Surface Pen has been included with all Surface line and Surface Pro line devices up until the release of the fifth-generation Surface Pro, where Microsoft decided to unbundle the Surface Pen.

With the release of the first generation Surface, Microsoft showcased two covers: a Touch Cover and a Type Cover. These covers attach to the Surface device using a magnetic strip that positions itself against a magnetic strip at the bottom of the Surface called an "accessory spine". When closed, the cover functions to protect the Surface's screen and when opened, the cover features a keyboard, a multi-touch touchpad, and a gyroscope and accelerometer sensor to know when the cover has been flipped around which will, in turn, disable the keys and enable tablet mode.

The original touch cover came with 80 touch sensors and was pressure sensitive. With the release of the Surface 2 a Touch Cover 2 was announced which increased the number of sensors to 1,092 and added backlit keys while being thinner than the original Touch Cover. In addition, the Touch Cover 2 also supported key gestures and was backwards compatible with the first generation Surface devices. Microsoft never made another Touch Cover after the release of the Surface Pro 3.

With the release of the first generation Surface Pro, Microsoft launched the Type Cover which has tactile keys. It was upgraded along with the second generation Surfaces to the Type Cover 2 which substituted the plastic material for the felt-like material found on the Type Covers. The Type Cover 2 is thinner and features back-lit keys.

With the release of the Surface Pro 3, a newer cover called the Surface Pro 3 Type Cover was released to fit the bigger screen. The Surface Pro 3 Type Cover features a second magnetized strip that can be rested against the screen to prop the keyboard up at an angle. The Surface Pro 3 Type Cover has a trackpad with glass beads replacing the felt-like material used in previous generations. When the Surface 3 was announced, a smaller version, the Surface 3 Type Cover was released. Both Surface 3 and Pro 3 Type Covers have a loop to house the Surface Pen.


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Wikipedia

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