14 DAY TRIAL // When Microsoft announces its new flagship smartphones in September, the company plans to introduce some interesting accessories that will add great functionality to these high-end devices.
Since the Redmond-based company doesn't plan to launch any additional Lumia smartphones other than the Cityman and Talkman, it might as well beef up these devices will extra features and many, many accessories.
In this regard, the folks over at WindowsCentral have learned that Microsoft plans to announce a Surface Pen and a smartphone cover. These accessories will be available for Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, but it will not come bundled in the sales package.
Instead, customers will have the option to purchase them separately. There's no word on their availability and pricing options yet, but we assume they will go on sale along with the new flagship smartphones.
According to the cited source, the pen looks very much like the silver Surface pen that's now available for the Surface Pro 3.
On the other hand, the smart cover will feature a circular area in the upper part where users will be able to view notifications and calls.
Also, the Surface Pen can be clipped to the smart cover. It is said to be available in black, silver/white and brown.
Windows Hello and Continuum might not be enabled at launch
Microsoft will also launch another accessory codenamed Munchkin, which we already reported on earlier this month. This is a docking station that allows users to connect the new flagship smartphones via USB Type-C port.
In addition, this particular accessory will be responsible for the use of Continuum feature. Rumor has it that Munchkin docking station will be launched sometime in early 2016, which means Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL users won't be able to enable Continuum until then. The docking station will cost $100.
Last but not least, both Lumia high-end smartphones are expected to arrive with iris scanner (infrared) for Windows Hello, but this feature will not be usable at launch.
However, Microsoft plans to enable Windows Hello in a month or two after the smartphones' release through a software update.