14 DAY TRIAL // The April 2018 firmware update for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 finally brings support for the Surface Dial, a feature that was originally expected to go live nearly a year ago.
The Surface Dial is a Bluetooth accessory that launched with the Surface Studio all-in-one PC and which enables a contextual radial menu on the screen that provides touch controls for various activities, like drawing. Announced in late 2016, the Surface Dial was scheduled to get support for other devices, including the Surface Pro 4, in early 2017, but work on this particular feature took more than a year.
The new firmware version for the Surface Pro 4 release this month comes with Surface System version 2.0.2.0 and includes Surface Dial detection to “enable on-screen support for Surface Dial,” as Microsoft says in the release notes.
Limited app support
The Surface Dial can be purchased separately from Microsoft for $99.99 and it supports a growing set of apps, though support for the time being is rather limited. Some of the apps that can be used with the Surface Dial include CorelDraw, Djay Pro, Complete Anatomy, Spotify, and Adobe Premiere.
Obviously, Microsoft has also added support for its very own apps, like the Microsoft Office productivity suite and the Windows Maps app to tilt in 3D.
“Surface Dial is a completely new way to interact with technology. Store, customize, access, navigate, and reimagine physical tools in the digital world—from concept to creation. We draw, scribble, and sketch to organize our thoughts and communicate with others. With Surface Dial in one hand and Surface Pen in the other, you can unlock your creativity with easy access to shortcuts, controls, drawing tools, and more,” Microsoft explains.
It remains to be seen how many Surface Pro 4 owners will purchase the Surface Dial, but making this little accessory compatible with more devices can only help increase its adoption.