14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has rolled out firmware updates for the newest Surface models in its lineup in order to improve performance and fix some of the bugs reported by users in the last 30 days.
First of all, let’s see what is new in the Surface Pro 4 January 2016 update.
According to Microsoft, this firmware version comes with Surface Embedded Controller Firmware version 103.899.256.0 (that’s a weird version for sure!), which adds battery charging enhancement and thermal tuning, but also with Surface Fingerprint Sensor driver update version 2.2.10.6, which is supposed to improve accuracy.
This means that, if you’re using fingerprint authentication to protect Windows 10, the sensor should now detect every finger swipe faster and reduce the percentage of errors when reading the print.
And last but not least, the Surface Pro 4 has received Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update version 15.68.9037.59, which improves access point compatibility and throughput on 5GHz networks.
Surface Book firmware update
The Surface Book has also received a new firmware version, and in the case of models with an NVIDIA graphics card, there’s also a new driver update that improves stability and fixes bugs experienced with a number of new games.
In addition, you get the Surface Embedded Controller Firmware version 88.899.256.0, which comes with battery charging enhancement and thermal tuning, just like its Surface Pro 4 sibling, but also the aforementioned Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update.
Additionally, the ultimate laptop has also received an exclusive improvement that comes with Surface DTX driver update version 1.3.202.0, which enhances detection of the Surface keyboard to the clipboard.
The new Surface firmware updates are shipped via Windows Update, but make sure you charge your device fully before starting the install process. We’re not aware of any bugs that might be experienced following the install of these new versions, so it appears that Microsoft got them right this time.