Report: Microsoft Pushes Andromeda to 2019, May Cancel Project
- Mehedi Hassan
- Jul 02, 2018
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69
Microsoft has been expected to release its foldable mobile device, codenamed Andromeda, this year. But that may not be the case anymore.
According to a new report from Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft has essentially delayed the software for Andromeda. The company is building a different version of Windows 10 specifically for Andromeda to support the dual-screen nature of the device. Microsoft was originally planning to merge the software work for Andromeda with Windows 10 Redstone 5, but that’s not going to happen anymore.
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There isn’t an exact reason behind the delay, however. Microsoft never discussed Andromeda publicly, though it detailed the device in an internal email obtained by Thurrott last week. Of course, the email doesn’t add anything new to what we already know about the device, but it did create a lot of hype around the device — and the latest report is here to destroy that all.
Here is the thing: it’s unlikely we will see Andromeda this year, and there’s a possibility the device could be cancelled. I think it is safe to say that Andromeda has been unnecessarily hyped by Windows Phone fans and Microsoft blogs, and there really isn’t a mass market appeal for a foldable mobile device. Even if Andromeda turned out to be like all the concepts we have seen, would it really be capable of competing with the iPhone? Yes, Microsoft is focusing more on its commercial customers with Andromeda, but even they may not be appealed by a foldable mobile device that will likely lack a lot of the enterprise applications.
And that’s one of the reasons behind Andromeda’s delay, combined with scheduling and quality problems, reports Mary Jo Foley. From what I have seen before, Andromeda’s software is in a rough stage at this point. Microsoft has a ton of work to be done to perfect this device, and even then the project may end up being more of a prototype product than a polished product. Will it get completely cancelled? Who knows.
But yes, even if Microsoft does completely cancel Andromeda, the company could use some of the tech for the product to build a foldable small PC that’s capable of running desktop apps, notes MJF.
Conversation 69 comments
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jean
<blockquote><a href="#287705"><em>In reply to legend:</em></a></blockquote><p>early bug bash – removing unstable (unsatisfactory) components at this point in time – points to a: we need more time to be (really) ready for this holiday season for a wealth of new devices</p><p><br></p><p>I have no ideas how you'd link Andromeda to sets : sets is certainly not anything you'd use on a small form factor device </p>
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BrianEricFord
<p>I’d root for this if I had confidence that it could be delivered but if MS can’t bridge the app gap on a standard form factor what makes anyone think they can get developers on board for an entirely new form factor that would require specialized attention?</p>
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PeterC
<p>Seems to me “everyone’s playing for 2019/20”. No one wants to shoot too soon ( and visibly fail aka win rt) and apple/google/ MS are all waiting on the chips, screens, cameras, software. Whoever gets it right controls a big influence on the direction of what the industry feels is the future of computing. I’m not sure there’s and our views concur.</p><p><br></p><p>Someones going to have to invest hugely here to win, but MS can choose to dev for the other competing platforms, but in doing so can only be an also ran in terms of hardware sales unless they’re going to invest “ all in” and go for everything. I reckon there’s 18 months of waiting around yet at least. In my opinion.</p><p><br></p><p>maybe I need to go install win 10 ARM onto my old 950 to while away the time ?</p><p><br></p>
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skane2600
<p>I guess the one great thing about these speculative products is that people can enjoy pretending that they will solve all of Microsoft's problems. It's only when products are actually released that reality sets in. I believe Windows will survive for a long time unless Microsoft foolishly kills it, but the mobile market is dead to them (not counting 2-in-1s here).</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#287942"><em>In reply to montyfowler:</em></a></blockquote><p>So we are just going to have all these screens and input devices just lying around everywhere just in case somebody wants to use them? I don't buy it.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#287942"><em>In reply to montyfowler:</em></a></blockquote><p>https://insidetowers.com/why-mobile-carriers-love-5g-hype-and-the-rest-of-us-shouldnt/</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#287946"><em>In reply to SYNERDATA:</em></a></blockquote><p>Every desktop with an Internet connection and sound capabilities can make Voice over IP calls (pretty much every PC). I think most people wouldn't want to pay extra for cell hardware on their PCs that they'll never use.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#287962"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>Not sure what you mean by "Skype to become a mobile platform". I think adding features beyond simple voice calls is the root of most of Skype's problems. IMO, if 90% of message apps disappeared tomorrow the only loss would be to branding and advertising. </p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#288005"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>I don't know. Since PCs don't typically have the ability to make calls via the cell network and smartphones do, it seems Skype adds more value to the former than the latter.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#287989"><em>In reply to Geoff:</em></a></blockquote><p>IMO, there's a kind of interesting symmetry between a 6 inch phone with the wrong ergonomics to run productivity programs and an emulation system that runs those productivity programs inefficiently. </p><p><br></p><p>There's no compelling reason to run Windows on a phone and there's no compelling reason to run Windows on ARM. The optimal device to run productivity programs on the go already exists and it's called a laptop. The other approaches are essentially plans B, C, and D.</p>