News

Microsoft Reveals New Products At Surface 2022 Event

It’s that time of year when big tech announces new releases, and it’s currently Microsoft’s turn in the limelight.

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2022

Nour Nasir

Microsoft

Microsoft unveiled a raft of new Surface-branded products at its Surface 2022 event held yesterday (Wednesday, 12th October). The lineup comprises several Windows-based devices, though a few low-key Xbox reveals also happened, along with a new app. Here’s everything you need to know:

Surface Pro 9

microsoft surface pro 9

The Surface Pro 9 edition was unveiled at the event, featuring a 13-inch display with a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Processors come in several flavors, with either an i5 or i7 version of Intel’s 12th gen Core processor installed, or a (possibly Qualcomm-based) Microsoft SQ3 chip. The Wi-Fi models come with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM, while the 5G version ships with 8GB or 32GB.

In terms of storage, the Intel Surface Pros come with removable SSD drives in sizes up to 1TB, while the SQ3 version maxes out at 512GB — though the lower specced device will achieve 19 hours of battery life, compared to the Intel unit’s 15.5.

When it comes to ports, the Surface Pro 9 comes with a pair of USB-C ports offering Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, with the SQ3 version only getting regular USB-C, along with a SIM slot.

Surface Laptop 5

microsoft surface laptop 5

If you’re in the market for a more conventional laptop, Microsoft also has you covered with their new Surface Laptop 5. Resolution is slightly lower for the 13.5 screen than on the Surface Pro, coming in at 2,256 x 1,504, though you’ll get similar configurations of storage and Intel Core processors.

Interestingly, the 13.5-inch laptop seems to beat the 15-inch model when it comes to battery life. Microsoft rates the smaller portable at 18 hours, while the 15-inch version is only good for 17. Buyers will get one USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4, one USB type-A port, and the faithful 3.5mm headphone jack will also be present.

Surface Studio 2+

microsoft surface studio 2+

Last but not least, desktop PC enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Microsoft has also announced a new all-in-one computer in the form of the 28-inch Surface Studio 2+. The big-screen device is aimed at creative users who need large amounts of processing power for art projects or complex 3D rendering.

The Surface Studio comes with a massive 4,500 x 3,000 resolution, powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of fast storage.

Everything Else

microsoft surface accessibility for all

Although the surface computers stole the show at Microsoft’s 2022 event, the tech giant also made several small announcements about a range of adaptive accessories, including the Xbox Adaptive Controller, and a new Microsoft 365 app called Microsoft Designer, powered by AI.

While we’d love to give release dates and prices for everything announced at the show, no details have emerged just yet, but we’ll hopefully see shipments begin well before the new year.

News

Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform

Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.

Published

4 days ago

May 5, 2026

Joanna Melki

lebanon ministers meet visa over national digital payment platform

Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.

The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.

Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.

Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.

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Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.

“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.

Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.