Microsoft Surface Pro 3 receives new firmware update

Microsoft has released new a firmware update for the Surface Pro 3, along with updates for the Surface Pro 2 and original Surface Pro. While the updates to the older Surface tablets are minor, the newer Surface Pro 3 has received a comprehensive list of changes.

The firmware update released on 1/15/2015 for the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has the following new features and improvements.

• Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.450.0) adds support for updated HD Graphics Family driver.
• HD Graphics Family driver update (v10.18.14.4029) enhances display stability and performance, improves user experience when using Miracast adapters. Improves compatibility with DisplayPort monitors and daisy chaining.
• Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3073.151) addresses connectivity issues while Hyper-V is enabled. Adds an advanced feature to control the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band preference.
• Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1179.0) ensures compatibility with the Surface Hub app.
• Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device driver update (v1.31.35.7) improves the user experience while using the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station so that sound is available when a speaker is not connected to the docking station.

Probably the biggest change for users will be the new HD Graphics Family driver, which is not quite the same as the one people were manually installing months ago (this is newer) but it is not quite as new as the latest ones from Intel, version 4080 (not approved by Microsoft). Still, users should see a boost for Miracast and DisplayPort usages.

The other tweaks and fixes are also quite larger, with new Docking Station Audio Device drivers, fixes for Hyper-V connectivity problems and a new Surface Home Button Driver update.

To get the latest firmware, head into Settings > Change PC Settings > Update and Recovery. The download and installation of the firmware is surprisingly light in terms of size and time.

source - WindowsCentral

[UPDATE] [1/18/2015] Now more details have surfaced regarding to the firmware update to the Surface Pro 3. There's also more information on the new Marvell Wireless Network Controller drivers for the tablet:

Intel(R) HD Graphics Family driver update (v10.18.14.4029)

• Adds support for the Autodesk Mudbox 2015 paintbrush tool.
• Ensures that unreadable text does not appear in the Microsoft Outlook calendar pane.
• Improves performance of video display and zoom features in DirectX applications
• Adds support for the fast cursor feature when using Miracast adapters, including the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.
• Ensures there is no flickering/blank display on externally connected monitors, especially when connecting multiple monitors in a daisy-chain configuration
• Improves compatibility with Samsung U28D590D and Dell 2713Hb monitors. Some customers reported they saw a change in screen resolution when the device is docked and connected to Dell monitor. This has been addressed in the update.
• Adds additional support to enable better compatibility with Panasonic and Actiontec Miracast adapters
• Ensures there is no unexpected battery drain while the Surface device is in Connected Standby mode.
• Resolves KMODE_Exception_Not_Handled system crash when using Excel PowerMap
• Resolves some instances of Stop 0x9F and Stop 0x133 system crashes.
• Resolves system hang that could occur if f.lux was enabled by an application.
• Resolves system crash that could occur when attaching to external monitors immediately after waking the device from sleep or removing it from the docking station.

Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3073.151)

• As part of ongoing improvements to Wi-Fi experience on Surface Pro 3 device, customers now have the ability to manually select a preference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections for their device. We will publish a separate blog to describe this functionality further so more customers can take advantage of this capability.
• Modifies power management logic to allow the wireless adapter to function properly when the Hyper-V feature is enabled in Windows.
• For European Union customers, there are specific requirements outlined in EN 300 328 v1.8.1. This update includes capabilities to stay current on these requirements, including an LE switch to better control energy detection and Bluetooth Power setting.
• Resolves a low throughput scenario when using Cisco 3702 access points in 11ac mode.

Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1179.0)

• Improves compatibility with Surface Hub application.

Surface Integration driver update (v2.0.1182.0)

• Improves compatibility of Surface Pro 3 with Windows 10.

Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device driver update (v1.31.35.7)

• Addresses scenario where no sound would play while the device was docked without an external speaker connected.

source - TechNet | Paul Thurrott