The Morning After: Microsoft's Surface all-in-one, MS Paint goes 3D and the power of gaming

It's Thursday, October 27, 2016. Hey, good morning! So much to read … Microsoft's big Surface showcase was aimed at creators and those of us interested in getting some new Redmond-made Windows 10 hardware. It was less about Office and more about 3D photography and, well, crazy physical "Dials" you can attach to your PC screen. Read on for a closer look at that and everything else from the past 24 hours. Remember, Apple's big MacBook event kicks off today as well -- check our liveblog here at 1 PM Eastern. It's gorgeous. Microsoft made its own all-in-one PC The crown jewel of today's Microsoft event was the Surface Studio, an all-in-one with a slender display and a silky-smooth hinge. That's not to mention Microsoft's Surface Dial, a puck that you can attach to the screen to dial through functions and shades, depending on which program you're using. It's going to take a lot more time and testing to say whether Microsoft's AIO will fit with how people want to use it, but it's looking pretty dreamy. Preorders started yesterday, priced at $2,999, with delivery expected in mid-December. Oh and here's how it stacks up against the competition. Ugh, that word. Microsoft's play for Apple's base of creatives One clear takeaway from Microsoft's event yesterday was its new sales pitch to creators and artists -- one that the Surface Studio was a very clear part of. Before now: "Microsoft was about work. Apple was about art. Art is cool, work is not." Microsoft wants to get cool. Yes, Windows Phone still exists. T-Mobile accidentally leaked a new Windows 10 Phone with a VR headset It might not be the fanciest phone, but Alcatel's Idol 4S comes with a companion VR headset ready for viewing a 60-day Hulu trial subscription -- and future Paint 3D creations. Time for a speaker upgrade Dolby Atmos audio is coming to the Xbox One S The Xbox One S is getting next-gen audio support to match its Ultra HD Blu-ray drive. No upgrade release date just yet, but it's a testament to the thinking that games consoles often make better media players than standalone units. Updates and new features are always good. Gaming has the power to humanize social issues. Video games are more important than ever Jess Conditt reports on the many titles at IndieCade 2016 that looked to illustrate or add commentary on social issues. One game, "1979 Revolution," will be featured as a case study in a UN-commissioned paper on conflict resolution in digital experiences. But wait, there's more... 1. Microsoft's Surface event by the numbers 2. "Stranger Things" director will helm the "Uncharted" live-action movie 3. Audi switches from Le Mans to Formula E 4. Trump quashes the idea of a TV channel based around him The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't subscribe. Craving even more? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? Send us a note. Copyright © 2016 Aol Inc. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: AOL 770 Broadway #4 New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you opted in at engadget.com. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe from this newsletter.