Microsoft’s foldable Surface device has been talked about for a long while. The device, codenamed Centaurus, was reportedly shown off to employees inside the company earlier this month. We already know quite a lot about the device, including the new lightweight version of Windows called Windows Core OS that powers the device.
And now, Forbes is reporting some new details on the device. The publication received some interesting tidbits on the product from IHS Markit, based on supply chain info. We are not quite sure how credible the reports are, so take them with a grain of salt.
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Forbes reports that Microsoft’s foldable Surface will be able to run Android apps. There isn’t a lot of information as to how Microsoft will achieve this, but the device will apparently be able to run Android apps. That would require Microsoft to build its own store for Android apps, which may require Android developers to manually put their apps from the Google Play Store on Microsoft’s own Android store.
Microsoft tried putting Android apps on Windows Phones in the past, and that didn’t work too well. And if history is anything to go by, I have a good feeling this won’t be executed well, either.
Forbes also reports that the new device will be based on a 10nm Lakefield chip from Intel, and have two separate 9-inch displays with an aspect ratio of 4:3 (so it won’t be a single, foldable display). It will also come with always-on-connectivity.
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#437081">In reply to Salvador Romero:</a></em></blockquote><p>Sounds like a battle of speculations. Anyone who hasn't used it has no real knowledge of how well or badly it worked.</p>
dontbe evil
<p>just add a real phone (call/text) support to windows on arm</p>
Bats
<p>Finally! The promise made by Paul Thurrott that Android would be operable on the Windows platform will hopefully soon be kept….hopefully. Albeit, the functionality isn't Windows 10 as Thurrott gleefully stated, a couple of years, but it will be in some form of Windows.</p>
Stooks
<p>Exactly who wants this? Fail day 1.</p>
PeterC
<p>That size. I’m not entirely sure about that size. I was hoping more “pocketable” when folded. I guess it depends on the new UI it comes with….. </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#437142">In reply to Pungkuss:</a></em></blockquote><p>Naturally Google is going to say positive things about their products, but I wouldn't draw any definitive conclusions from that. Was there a surge in Chomebook purchases when the ability to run Android apps was made available? It's one thing to take advantage of an added capability to a device you already own, it's quite another to make a buying decision based on that added feature.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#437165">In reply to kennyb:</a></em></blockquote><p>But does there really need to be a Windows tablet OS in the future, particularly if it's just another Android device? Aren't sales of tablets in general and Android tablets in particular on the decline? </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#437172">In reply to kennyb:</a></em></blockquote><p>IMO a Windows 2-in-1 is basically a full Windows cake with a thin tablet frosting. But as the failure of the RT devices and UWP proved, the tablet frosting isn't viable on it's own. </p><p><br></p><p>Unless there were some as yet unknown killer feature that was unique to a Lite Windows, the result would just be another run-of-the-mill Android tablet. </p>
skane2600
<p>I'd have to agree with gardner on the premium side: If one wants to run Android apps, the best way to do it is on an Android device. What value is added by just slapping the word "Microsoft" or "Surface" on such a device? For the most part Android devices are a commodity and does Microsoft really want to dive into that market?</p>