Surface Duo

[Lobwedgephil]

Microsoft just announced a new dual screen phone coming out next year. Likely powered by Android, and appears pretty interesting.

Microsoft surprises with new foldable Surface Duo phone running Android

It runs Android and will release holiday 2020.

www.theverge.com

 

[thejadedmonkey]

The one question I have related to this is the OS. Figure they're not going to want developers to need to support two apps, one for the Duo and one for the Neo, so... Are they bringing the Android app store to Windows, or bringing the .net runtime to Android?

My gut says the latter, although I'd prefer the former as it would include the win32 APIs in case you want to plug the Duo into a dock and use it as a PC (which was mentioned, kinda sorta).

 

[sunapple]

Smart to not go with a folding screen and stick with tech that is proven reliable. Downside; it does look rather dated next to a Galaxy Fold.

Is it a phone though? It looks kinda huge still.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Smart to not go with a folding screen and stick with tech that is proven reliable. Downside; it does look rather dated next to a Galaxy Fold.

Is it a phone though? It looks kinda huge still.

I think it is 2 5.6 inch screens that fold together. No screen on the outside when closed, just shows the time I believe. So not sure how that will work as a phone, but an interesting concept.

 

[sunapple]

I think it is 2 5.6 inch screens that fold together. No screen on the outside when closed, just shows the time I believe. So not sure how that will work as a phone, but an interesting concept.

Ah, it does fold to the outside. It looks like a big square though, not 5.6" size at all. Maybe because of the bezels. Looking forward to more pictures...

 

[Falhófnir]

Ah, it does fold to the outside. It looks like a big square though, not 5.6" size at all. Maybe because of the bezels. Looking forward to more pictures...
View attachment 865780

Think it looks bigger because it's probably using the Surface's usual 3:2 aspect ratio, squarer screens tend to have significantly larger surface areas than tall and narrow ones.

Visual TV Size Comparison : 5.8 inch 9x19.5 display vs 5.6 inch 2x3 display

Visual size comparison of a 5.8 inch 9x19.5 display vs 5.6 inch 2x3 display

www.displaywars.com

 

[AustinIllini]

The proportions of this thing are way off.

MSFT should be getting back into the mobile market as an Android OEM with MSFT apps as default. Only, I would have started with a normal device, not a foldable. That would make for an extremely compelling Android phone, particularly for the Enterprise market.

Heck, they could probably even use skype as their version of iMessage.

 

[NT1440]

Honest to god, I just can’t understand these form factors. I don’t get why we all “know” this is the future but none of the content that we interact with is formatted for these screen ratios.

 

[willzyx]

This isn't a final design. It's a developer prototype, he clearly said the devices will be perfected over the year. The reason they show them now is to drum up excitement with the developers, so it doesn't hit the same wall Windows Mobile did

 

[drinkingtea]

That was a damn good keynote. I wish Microsoft developed a non-folding phone instead. That would have drummed up more excitement, I think. The bezels alone on the Duo are off-putting.

My 3-year-old MacBook died recently (the logic board failed twice—I’m really unhappy with Apple right now) and I haven’t been able to replace it because of cost. I’m a student and I can’t afford a new MacBook; Apple is too expensive for me now. I loved what I saw in the keynote ad I’m highly impressed with Microsoft today. I think I’ll be selling my iPad and buying the Surface Pro X. I’ll be essentially paying only $500 for a new computer that has iPad-like functionality. Good job, Microsoft!

 

[sunapple]

Honest to god, I just can’t understand these form factors. I don’t get why we all “know” this is the future but none of the content that we interact with is formatted for these screen ratios.

If you mean apps, the reason they didn’t launch the phone today is to give developers the time to adapt. The hardware isn’t the difficult part here, it’s the software.

Yes, video is 16:9, but most other things can be viewed on those two screens just fine, right? Sometimes you may only use the left or right, in either portrait or landscape in one of the folded ways. It seems rather flexible.

 

[NT1440]

If you mean apps, the reason they didn’t launch the phone today is to give developers the time to adapt. The hardware isn’t the difficult part here, it’s the software.

Yes, video is 16:9, but most other things can be viewed on those two screens just fine, right? Sometimes you may only use the left or right, in either portrait or landscape in one of the folded ways. It seems rather flexible.

I’m mainly talking about video and reading. There’s no way in hell I’d ever read off ANY of the dual screen phones on the market.

That’s just me though, I still think the iPad mini is the *perfect* device for my needs which is why I’ll be getting one this holiday season.

I’m also someone who thinks phones are far and away too large these days. I’m on a 6s and I wish that there was something the same size. This is juuuust small enough to use one handed.

 

[sunapple]

I’m mainly talking about video and reading. There’s no way in hell I’d ever read off ANY of the dual screen phones on the market.

That’s just me though, I still think the iPad mini is the *perfect* device for my needs which is why I’ll be getting one this holiday season.

I’m also someone who thinks phones are far and away too large these days. I’m on a 6s and I wish that there was something the same size. This is juuuust small enough to use one handed.

If you fold one of the screens to the back, you’re left with a single 5.6” 3:2 (?) screen. Should be OK the read on right?

DUO vs iPad Mini: http://www.displaywars.com/5,6-inch-3x2-vs-7,9-inch-4x3

 

[kazmac]

That was a damn good keynote. I wish Microsoft developed a non-folding phone instead. That would have drummed up more excitement, I think. The bezels alone on the Duo are off-putting.

My 3-year-old MacBook died recently (the RAM failed twice—I’m really unhappy with Apple right now) and I haven’t been able to replace it because of cost. I’m a student and I can’t afford a new MacBook; Apple is too expensive for me now. I loved what I saw in the keynote ad I’m highly impressed with Microsoft today. I think I’ll be selling my iPad and buying the Surface Pro X. I’ll be essentially paying only $500 for a new computer that has iPad-like functionality. Good job, Microsoft!

MS offers student discounts too and if you go to a brick and mortar Microsoft store you might find a sales agent willing to give you great discounts.

I hope the very nice rep I worked with in the past is still at the MS 5th Avenue store come November 5th. I am most likely getting a Surface Pro X on day of launch. So glad I can once and for all forget about iPads for art etc.

Possibly the 15" Ryzen laptop too if the graphics are capable if video conversion and maybe running a Wacom tablet.

As far as the Surface Duo, I'll wait and see when that is released. This could still be in the prototype stages so...

 

[NT1440]

If you fold one of the screens to the back, you’re left with a single 5.6” 3:2 (?) screen. Should be OK the read on right?

DUO vs iPad Mini: http://www.displaywars.com/5,6-inch-3x2-vs-7,9-inch-4x3

How exactly would that NOT be unwieldy in the hand?

Again, I’m giving my personal take on the device. Others may be rightfully excited by these things, but to me they seem like a step back. That’s just my opinion of course.

 

[Awesomesince86]

I like their take on making a foldable screen. They want it to make sense from a functionality and productivity standpoint rather than just doing it because its different. I like that the OS is tweaked slightly depending on whether youre attempting to use it as a phone, tablet, mini-pc, etc. But this will fail for the same reason that Windows phone failed and that is because 3rd party devs wont spend any time making their apps compatible. You would have figured Microsoft learned that by now but I guess not. Maybe they think just by making it run Android that it will instantly get all the developer support.

 

[mi7chy]

MS offers student discounts too and if you go to a brick and mortar Microsoft store you might find a sales agent willing to give you great discounts.

Microsoft student discount is available online and possibly with option to pick up in-store.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/education

Also interested in the Surface Pro X. Clever how they store the pen between keyboard and device so it doesn't fall off and get lost.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Exciting times from MS other than no mention of the SB, Studio or GO

 

[sunapple]

How exactly would that NOT be unwieldy in the hand?

Again, I’m giving my personal take on the device. Others may be rightfully excited by these things, but to me they seem like a step back. That’s just my opinion of course.

I guess you shouldn’t compare folding phones to smartphones, but why would an iPad be fine to read on, but this smaller screen not?

 

[jamezr]

Wow...all the reviews and hands on say it screams quality and craftsmanship.
Really want to see one in person.

 

[sracer]

Wow...all the reviews and hands on say it screams quality and craftsmanship.
Really want to see one in person.

Me too... even though I'm not interested in the Duo at all...? I've got my eye on the Neo. ?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

 

[sunapple]

Also fresh:

 

[mi7chy]

If the Duo is to be primarily a phone replacement first then tablet replacement second then it needs to have a third, even e-ink, display otherwise it'll get old having to unfold it all the time for basic calling/messaging/calendar functions and doesn't look to be single-hand operation friendly. Interesting to see how this Microsoft/Google collaboration stacks up productivity wise to the Galaxy Note.

 

[sunapple]

If the Duo is to be primarily a phone replacement first then tablet replacement second then it needs to have a third, even e-ink, display otherwise it'll get old having to unfold it all the time for basic calling/messaging/calendar functions and doesn't look to be single-hand operation friendly. Interesting to see how this Microsoft/Google collaboration stacks up productivity wise to the Galaxy Note.

For quick tasks, it may be best to have the screen always folded outward. Durability-wise though...