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Microsoft Developing Dual-Screen 'Pocketable' Surface Device
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Pretty exciting! I'm a huge fan of the Surface line of products. I think Microsoft has honestly done an amazing job.
The whole 'Andromeda' rumor is circulating for one or two years now. Microsoft has never confirmed or denied it. All the renders (as far as I know) are not made by Microsoft. Nobody knows how the final product (if it exists) will look like. This article of The Verge is one speculation of many.
I am not eve sure why it made it into the MacRumors headlines.
I am not eve sure why it made it into the MacRumors headlines.
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I'm just wondering why get a tablet at all if you need mouse support?
[doublepost=1530305662][/doublepost]The concept as presented doesn't make a lot of practical sense. What good does detaching a device do? Is each side completely independent? Just making hardware that 'does stuff' is NOT a step forward or actual competition. You OCULD add a toaster to your iPhone so you could always make toast when you need it. But I don't think that's a design step forward. Having a phone-like-tabelt that break in two -- what exactly is the benefit?
It's certainly an interesting concept, but the piece nobody seems to recognize is that to make the screen foldable, we'll need to either ditch glass as a screen cover altogether, or make the spine where the fold happens to be a foldable plastic. If it's some glass and plastic combination, there will need to be some separation or binding mechanism between the two materials, which then makes it not exactly a seamless screen.
So then we're back to an all-plastic screen covering - and who doesn't love plastic screen covers? Especially when you factor in some type of stylus. I absolutely LOVED my Compaq iPaq with its plastic screen cover that kept getting scratched by the stylus.
So tell me again, who really wants a foldable screen device?
Oh, sure, I'm going to hear from a bunch of people who say that there will be some development of a foldable glass, or better and more scratch resistant plastic in the future. And that may be true, but it's far more difficult to come up with materials that alter physics as we know it, compared to making the OLED or LCD screen itself bendable.
I think the solution is going to be something altogether different - maybe moving past handheld devices.
So then we're back to an all-plastic screen covering - and who doesn't love plastic screen covers? Especially when you factor in some type of stylus. I absolutely LOVED my Compaq iPaq with its plastic screen cover that kept getting scratched by the stylus.
So tell me again, who really wants a foldable screen device?
Oh, sure, I'm going to hear from a bunch of people who say that there will be some development of a foldable glass, or better and more scratch resistant plastic in the future. And that may be true, but it's far more difficult to come up with materials that alter physics as we know it, compared to making the OLED or LCD screen itself bendable.
I think the solution is going to be something altogether different - maybe moving past handheld devices.
What does folding and separating get you exactly? And Apple would never put out a piece of hardware with no purpose. Adding a toaster to your phone, or a fold out table really doesn't move anything forward. You must realize that just being able to do something doesn't make it a good idea, right?
The renders and the designs you see are NOT made by Microsoft. They are all speculations mocked up by others (like David Breyer), based on gossip or some 'patents'. They are all guessing. Maybe this device does not even exist yet and if it exists it might be a completely different design.
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These renders are by some random guy, not even Microsoft. It is mentioned clearly enough for readability's sake.
Here is a screenshot of the tweet pointed to by 'shared by David Breyer' in that quoted part, since you just couldnt open it yourself.
Would you now let us know how you were so sure this was by Microsoft?
Someone has already dealt with your assumption that this was even an announcement by Microsoft.
Seems there is never enough imagination even when reading explicit information.
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Literally, what a time to be alive. This feels very futuristic (like Westworld).
The ability to have a phone (out in public), tablet (home leisure time), and desktop (laptop style docking station w/external display, keyboard & mouse) all in one is very enticing.
The ability to have a phone (out in public), tablet (home leisure time), and desktop (laptop style docking station w/external display, keyboard & mouse) all in one is very enticing.
As an old windows phone hold out,even bought a 950xl, the mythical Surface Phone has been a long time coming. Rumors on win central over the yrs is that it will be able to run android as well as win10 so android apps will work on it. I believe it was called Andromeda
Or equivalent Apple announcing power mat. Oh wait, they already did that how long ago??
You're funny. I have a Surface Pro 4. Never had BSOD. Windows 10 is pretty solid. I'm a previous Macbook user but I am not beholden to any particular platform, I go with what I like.
The device as pictured is way too thick. A foldable will need to be razor thin. Apple will get that right with their foldable or they won’t build it.
Yes I’m sure they haven’t thought of these things and designed it to cope with them....
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A better example would be the vapourware new Mac Pro... announced last year and apparently not out till next year, maybe.
Foldable displays have been in development for years! They will be out in the next couple of years I think. Cost a fortune like OLED did at first and take a while to become mainstream.
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The device as pictured is only a guesswork render, made up by people who have nothing to do with Microsoft, based on rumours. It is very premature to draw any conclusion based on that.
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Microsoft is working on a pocket-sized dual-screen Surface device according to information sourced from Microsoft internal documents and shared by The Verge.
Called Andromeda, Microsoft's dual-screen Surface project has been in development for at least two years and it's designed to "blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing," according to an internal document.
Microsoft's device will feature a wraparound display that bridges the gap of the hinge when it is fully opened, and according to The Verge, December renderings shared by David Breyer are "identical" to the current prototype versions of the upcoming Surface. The pocketable Surface can be folded in either direction or laid flat, as can be seen in the renderings.
Andromeda rendering via David Breyer
Microsoft is said to be experimenting with stylus input for the pocket Surface, with prototype devices equipped with styluses and notepad-like apps for note taking.
Andromeda rendering via David Breyer
The Verge's sources warn that work on Andromeda could be ceased at anytime, but Microsoft is said to have tentative 2018 release date plans, which would mean development on the device is nearing completion.
Some nebulous rumors have suggested Apple too is exploring some similar concepts, working with LG to develop an iPhone with a foldable display. Apple explores many concepts and designs for its devices, so there is likely to be some truth to the rumor.
The folding display technology being developed by LG is still a few years off, so if Apple moves forward with some sort of design that's similar to what Microsoft is working on, we won't be seeing it for several years.
At the current time, Apple is focusing on edge-to-edge displays and making a transition to OLED technology. In fall 2018, Apple is expected to introduce a second-generation 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X, a 6.5-inch OLED device that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus," and a 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD display that will be available at a more affordable price point.
All three devices will feature edge-to-edge displays and no Home button, instead adopting Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system.
Article Link: Microsoft Developing Dual-Screen 'Pocketable' Surface Device
Microsoft is working on a pocket-sized dual-screen Surface device according to information sourced from Microsoft internal documents and shared by The Verge.
Called Andromeda, Microsoft's dual-screen Surface project has been in development for at least two years and it's designed to "blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing," according to an internal document.
Microsoft's device will feature a wraparound display that bridges the gap of the hinge when it is fully opened, and according to The Verge, December renderings shared by David Breyer are "identical" to the current prototype versions of the upcoming Surface. The pocketable Surface can be folded in either direction or laid flat, as can be seen in the renderings.
Andromeda rendering via David Breyer
Microsoft is said to be experimenting with stylus input for the pocket Surface, with prototype devices equipped with styluses and notepad-like apps for note taking.
Andromeda rendering via David Breyer
The Verge's sources warn that work on Andromeda could be ceased at anytime, but Microsoft is said to have tentative 2018 release date plans, which would mean development on the device is nearing completion.
Some nebulous rumors have suggested Apple too is exploring some similar concepts, working with LG to develop an iPhone with a foldable display. Apple explores many concepts and designs for its devices, so there is likely to be some truth to the rumor.
The folding display technology being developed by LG is still a few years off, so if Apple moves forward with some sort of design that's similar to what Microsoft is working on, we won't be seeing it for several years.
At the current time, Apple is focusing on edge-to-edge displays and making a transition to OLED technology. In fall 2018, Apple is expected to introduce a second-generation 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X, a 6.5-inch OLED device that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus," and a 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD display that will be available at a more affordable price point.
All three devices will feature edge-to-edge displays and no Home button, instead adopting Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system.
Article Link: Microsoft Developing Dual-Screen 'Pocketable' Surface Device
I'm pretty sure Nintendo hold all the patents for this!
Its just concept art. Is it possible Apple _will_venture onto something like this? Maybe (But I have my doubts). But I see tech like this being a very niche category regardless, but I always welcome new ideas and *this* is something that would be of interest to me, rather it be from Apple, Microsoft or another competitor.
I get the feeling this is something bored tech writers will drool over but everyone else will wonder why they would want it. It looks incredibly bulky and not something I’d want to carry around. Seems incredibly niche, just like the Courier concept was.
You can tell who didn’t read the article. Probably posting because they were riled up since it’s not an Apple product. I bet the tune would be different if it were an apple internal document.
I’m hit and miss with Microsoft products. While I love my surface, the fingerprint keyboards have given me issues. I’ve had it exchanged a couple of times now because of sudden unresponsive ness of the mouse cursor.
I’m hit and miss with Microsoft products. While I love my surface, the fingerprint keyboards have given me issues. I’ve had it exchanged a couple of times now because of sudden unresponsive ness of the mouse cursor.