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Microsoft Details Secret 'Pocketable' Surface Device (theverge.com)
Microsoft's mysterious new Surface device, codenamed Andromeda, that's been in development for the past two years is going to be pocketable, reports The Verge. The company says it will create a "new and disruptive" device category to influence the overall Surface roadmap and blur the lines between what's considered PC and mobile. From the report: "It's a new pocketable Surface device form factor that brings together innovative new hardware and software experiences to create a truly personal and versatile computing experience," is exactly how Microsoft describes the device internally. The Andromeda device is still being developed in secrecy inside Microsoft, with a wraparound display that bridges the gap of the hinge when it's fully opened. We understand current engineering samples of the pocketable Surface look identical to the 3D concept created by David Breyer.
Microsoft has also been experimenting with stylus input for Andromeda, so that the device can fold over like a book and a pen can be used to capture digital ink. Microsoft is also experimenting with ARM processors inside prototype Andromeda devices. Microsoft views Andromeda as a unique response to its failures with Windows Phone devices. "It will blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing," reads one internal document describing the device. Microsoft is tentatively planning to release Andromeda in 2018, with similar devices from some of Microsoft's top OEMs to "follow afterwards."
Microsoft has also been experimenting with stylus input for Andromeda, so that the device can fold over like a book and a pen can be used to capture digital ink. Microsoft is also experimenting with ARM processors inside prototype Andromeda devices. Microsoft views Andromeda as a unique response to its failures with Windows Phone devices. "It will blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing," reads one internal document describing the device. Microsoft is tentatively planning to release Andromeda in 2018, with similar devices from some of Microsoft's top OEMs to "follow afterwards."
my dilzzzzzzzzzz
IMO it'll only blur the lines if it has a 400W power brick that you're supposed to carry around in your other pocket, and a 24" IPS monitor that you lug around on your back.
"Surface" is what used to be IE for a long time, that eventually became "edge". Surface? They better chose a different name if that device is really going to be "new and disruptive".
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
Make it able to run Linux.
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
With copyright patents going back to 1955. Next up... Massive copyright lawsuits.
It sounds like a phone without a phone in it. A flip not-a-phone! This could easily be as big as Zune.
I just want something that is otherwise like a smartphone but runs Linux instead of Android.
If Microsoft hadn't shown such total contempt for their customers in the last few years, I'd have wanted it to run Windows instead.
Surface Phone? Perhaps?
copied
Like the Zune?
"I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it." : Dogbert
i hate it when Slashdot editors fall into marketing BS. Innovative new hardware and software experiences? Wow, buy a Mac.
They still don't get it, which is frankly quite the feat.
We don't want mobiles-like desktops. We don't want desktop-like mobiles. We want mobiles that are mobiles, and desktops that are desktops. They're two distinctly different devices, and should be treated as such.
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
Comment removed based on user account deletion
or... they could put phone circuitry into it and call it a flip-phone.
Speak for yourself. I would like a pocket-sized laptop to be able to do work on. I don't care about "apps" or games or TV or whatever most people do with their phones today. A pocket-sized computer would be very cool because it would be very useful.
I don't respond to AC's.
Tri-fold, all screen. That's what I want.
I'm going to guess that what is your pocket is a pocket-sized tablet. So, a phone. Except it can't make calls. Also, the OS is 20 GB, leaving 4 GB for the user. Oh, and it's based on Windows, so the battery runs out in three hours.
Other than those minor nitpicks, it's almost as good as a smartphone. Just a lot more expensive.
Does it have a notch? Might be important one way or the other.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
I aint clickin no verge links punk! Here's some non-verge links:
https://twitter.com/D_Breyer
https://bgr.com/2018/06/29/microsoft-andromeda-foldable-tablet-leak-details/
Nintendo's lawyers are probably thinking about what size boat to get with all the billable hours they're going to have over this.
> Actually my phone can make calls because I have a nice iPhone
Ah, so it can make calls. Unless your thumb is in a comfortable position. That's okay, though, it's innovative - it has rounded corners.
So, if I got this right, we will finally be able to have a laptop with an unusable keyboard and a way too small screen coupled with the usefulness of Windows on a smartphone?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
I have no idea what to expect. Courier was meant to be a distraction-free workflow aid. Gates killed it before it got off the ground internally—because it didn't run Outlook. That was a thing I wanted, but today's market doesn't want anything that fits in your pocket and isn't also a phone.
I'm afraid the thing is going to end up in some kind of Win10S situation. Basically, all the disadvantages of a phone, none of the advantages of a not-phone. And a winphone at that. So basically, Zune 2018 edition.
Whatever it is, it will surely run Outlook. Honestly, I'll buy one if it truly is a work-aid, and isn't too adversarial to side-loaded applications. If it's a distraction device or is ultimately yet another contrivance to get me into the windows store, I will take a pass. I already have a phone, it does all that (except that the store, while still a cesspit of garbage, is much, much better.)
"Chloe, send the schematics to my pocketable Surface. Well, at least when I get to a Starbucks or MacDonalds and can get some WiFi. Let's hope the terrorists haven't blown up the ocean liner with The Dalai Lama, The Archbishop of Caterbury, The Pope, and Bono on before then".
The "pocketable" device is likely a supercomputer.
Surface uses wifi. Its like getting the Microsoft Store all the time. But at a closer reach. Surface RT
With the size I had my window, the end of the line was: "the device can fold over like a book and a pen." I was really confused as to why it could fold like a pen.
Why doesn't Microsoft just focus on a comparable mobile device to others out there? It always has to be different and tends to fail at different. Just like mobile arena with smartphones, it could have been much more relevant if it just knew how to make a premium phone. No doubt the Surface line is certainly a success albeit not without some issues. But then you see things like a small folding phablet device leak that really screams niche or failure. If your trying to succeed in mobile Microsoft, you have to get back to a popular and basic approach.
'An ethical crisis in the digital forensics industry came to a head last week with the release of new details on Microsoft’s undocumented “Activities” API. A previously unknown trove of access and activity logs held by Microsoft allows investigators to track Office 365 mailbox activity in minute detail. Following a long period of mystery and rumors about the existence of such a tool, the details finally emerged, thanks to a video by Anonymous and follow-up research by CrowdStrike.'