During the Surface Studio reveal, Microsoft showed off a very interesting peripheral in the form of the Surface Dial. This little control wheel is able to manipullate the Surface Studio once placed on the screen, and when it is not on the screen, pressing it will bring up a wheel menu that gives the user access to certain functions. Understandably, many assumed that this peripheral will be a Surface Studio-exclusive. Fortunately, that isn’t the case as Microsoft has announced that the Surface Dial will work on both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book as well.
Speaking to The Verge, Microsoft’s Vice President Terry Myerson has confirmed that both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book will be getting firmware updates that will allow it to utilise the Surface Dial’s on-screen functions. No solid release date was given as to when the firmware would be available, but Myerson mentions that it will be available early next year.
Once the firmware is available, both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book will support the Surface Dial’s contextual radial menu when the peripheral is placed on the screen of the devices. Of course, seeing as the screen on both devices are considerably smaller than the one found on the Surface Studio, it remains to be seen if using the Surface Dial on said devices will be worth your time.
Source: The Verge