It will probably be several days before I fully catch up from my recent vacation, but here's one story I didn't want to put off any longer: As part of Patch Tuesday this past week, Microsoft issued firmware updates for Surface RT, Surface Pro, and Surface Pro 3. So if you own one of those devices, be sure to get updated.
Note: Put another way, all Surface models except Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 received firmware updates this month.
Here's what's new this month:
Surface RT
The following update in "System Firmware Update – 8/12/2014" applies to Surface RT.
Surface RT UEFI (v3.31.500) enhances overall system stability.
Surface Pro (first-generation)
The following update in "System Firmware Update – 8/12/2014" (which could be identified as "System Hardware Update – 8/12/2014") applies to Surface Pro.
Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth (v14.69.24054.176) improves network connection stability and enables functionality on Wi-Fi networks using a hidden SSID.
Surface Pro 3
The following updates in "System Firmware Update – 8/12/2014" apply to Surface Pro 3.
Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware (v38.4.50.0) improves support for Surface Power Cover.
Surface Pro System Aggregator Firmware (v3.9.250.0) improves support for Surface Power Cover and enhances overall system stability.
Microsoft LifeCam Front (v5.20.1034.0) significantly improves power consumption during video chat such as Skype, supports Flash camera streaming in Internet Explorer, and improves overall functionality and stability.
Surface Ethernet Adapter (v8.14.0704.2014) improved support for the gigabit Surface Ethernet Adapter.
I'm particularly interested in those two Power Cover-related fixes, as Surface Pro 3 doesn't/didn't support the additional battery in Power Cover at all when I first tested it. I'm away from home until the end of the month, so I'll check out this out when I get back. I do know that you'll want to install this firmware update before you use a Surface Pro 3 with the new Docking Station.
You can find a complete list of all Surface device firmware updates on the Surface web site.
