The Surface Duo: Top Five Reasons It Will Be Fantastic

Microsoft has announced its brand-new folding tablet, dubbed the Surface Duo, and the company is eager to clarify that it's not actually a phone. Despite its name, the device will be able to make and take calls while running Android, which sounds like a phone to many users. But what makes this device so exciting?

Number Five: Lead Time Advantage

One of the most impressive aspects of the Surface Duo is that Microsoft announced it over a year ago, with a scheduled release date for holiday 2020. How often do companies get to unveil such revolutionary products with this much lead time? Not often, that's for sure. With so much time to develop and refine its design, Microsoft has had ample opportunity to iron out any kinks and ensure that the Surface Duo is a polished product.

However, one potential drawback of this long development cycle is that developers may not have had enough time to fully take advantage of the device's two-screen capabilities. While it's easy to put one app on each screen or span an app across both screens, there may be more complex uses for the Surface Duo's dual displays that haven't been explored yet. Despite this, Microsoft has shown off the device in various scenarios, including using one screen as a notification screen and having a giant keyboard. These demonstrations suggest that developers will have plenty of opportunities to create innovative apps that take full advantage of the Surface Duo's unique design.

Number Four: Not Running Windows

It may seem counterintuitive for Microsoft to release a product that runs Android instead of its own Windows operating system, but this is actually a deliberate design choice. The company wants to tap into the vast ecosystem of Android apps and provide users with a familiar experience on their new device. By not running Windows, Microsoft can also avoid some of the compatibility issues that may arise when developing for multiple platforms.

This decision also highlights the growing importance of Android in the world of mobile devices. Android has long been the dominant force in the market, with Google's own Pixel series being a popular choice among enthusiasts. By embracing Android, Microsoft is able to join forces with this established ecosystem and tap into its wealth of apps and resources.

Number Three: Android Support

One of the key benefits of running Android on the Surface Duo is that it provides access to a vast library of apps. Android has a massive selection of software available, from games and social media platforms to productivity tools and creative apps. This means that users will have plenty of options for entertainment, communication, and work.

Microsoft already makes many great mobile apps, with its own suite of Office products being a particular highlight. But by partnering with Google to provide real Android experience, Microsoft is able to tap into this existing ecosystem and offer users even more choices. The Surface Duo's ability to connect with any Android device via the Your Phone app also provides a seamless way for users to access their Windows PC apps on the go.

Number Two: Partnership with Google

In a surprising move, Microsoft announced that it will be partnering with Google to bring together the "absolute best" of both companies' technologies. This partnership is set to provide users with an unparalleled mobile experience, combining the benefits of Android with the power and flexibility of Windows. By working together, Microsoft and Google can pool their resources and expertise to create a truly revolutionary device.

This partnership also speaks volumes about the future of mobile devices. As technology continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more and more companies collaborating on product development. By joining forces with Google, Microsoft is able to tap into this trend and offer users an experience that goes beyond what's currently available on the market.

Number One: The World is Ready for the Surface Duo

Finally, there's one aspect of the Surface Duo that may seem almost obvious: the world is ready for a device like this. We've seen dual-screen Android devices in the past, including the Kyocera Echo from 2011 and the ZTE Axon M, which both featured two screens held together by a hinge.

However, these devices were often bulky and cumbersome, with the Axon M being particularly notable for its weight and size. The Surface Duo changes all that, thanks to Microsoft's emphasis on creating a device that feels sleek and modern in the hand. With its dual displays and Android operating system, this device is set to appeal to anyone who wants a powerful and versatile mobile experience.

Overall, the Surface Duo has a lot going for it. From its lead time advantage and Android support to its partnership with Google and promise of seamless integration with Windows PCs, there's no doubt that this device will be a hit with users. Whether you're an Android fan or just looking for a new mobile experience, the Surface Duo is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthese are the top five reasons the surface duo will be fantastic and in case you're wondering Microsoft is not sponsoring this video because that's not how this show works anyway Microsoft has a brand-new folding tablet coming out called the surface duo the company really does not want people calling it a phone but that's gonna happen the duo will be able to make and take calls while running Android sounds like a phone to a lot of us so let's get to why it'll be great at number five Microsoft announced this thing around a year in advance the surface duo is scheduled for a holiday 2020 release date how often do we get to see a company show off a totally different style of product with this much of a lead time not very developers have time to figure out how to take full advantage of the two screens on the duo sure you can put one app on each screen or just span one app on both but that's obvious Microsoft showed off using the device as a phone using one screen as a notification screen having a giant keyboard and even using one of the screens as a gamepad while the top displayed the game expect to see some creative ideas by developers at number four it's not running Windows this is not a knock on Windows 10 or Windows 10 X the new OS for dual screen devices the duo is running on a Qualcomm 850 which is an ARM chip Microsoft makes a version of Windows 10 that runs on arm like the one that's on the new surface pro X so it could have been really easy for Microsoft to slap Windows into its new folding device but no this is Microsoft thinking about the consumer Android has tons of apps and is quite mature people already know how to use it if you're using a pocket device that you may make calls on you might be expecting a familiar experience like with Android which brings us to number three the surface Deal is running Android the operating system already has built-in support for foldable devices like the Galaxy fold and the huawei mate X Motorola is also working on its own foldable all have different approaches as to how their screens unfold Microsoft will benefit from the trial era developers making apps for those other devices plus Microsoft already makes lots of great mobile apps for Android no seriously look it up look at the Play Store lots of Microsoft apps at around four and a half stars let's talk a bit about the your phone companion app and links your Android to your PC that means that the duo and pretty much any Android device can have the best of both worlds you get Android and Windows playing together if you're using Microsoft apps between the duo and a PC it should feel pretty consistent at number two Google listen to this clip from Microsoft's live event this product brings together the absolute best of Microsoft and we're partnering with Google to bring together the absolute best of Android into one product he said Microsoft is partnering with Google that means that Microsoft is going to be privy to all kinds of good stuff this is not like an Amazon fire device that runs a version of Android this is real Android with Microsoft working together with Google that sounds insane I very much want that to mean that the surface duo will be getting Android updates as quickly as pixel devices but who knows a man can dream and a number one the world is ready for the duo we've seen dual screen Android devices in the past a colleague of mine tweeted out the duo / neo are dinosaurs remember the Kyocera echo that came out in 2011 now the echo had two screens that when unfolded gave you a massive 4.7 inch screen there was also another two screen Android called the ZTE axon M it had two 5.2 inch screens held together by a hinge now I answer that tweet by saying duo / neo are more like birds lighter more evolved and can probably survive in the current environment the hardware Microsoft put together looks sleek and modern compared that to the axon M which was heavy and cumbersome Microsoft has put a huge emphasis on how surface devices feel in the hand we are likely not going to get a cumbersome device as for modern folding phones they are still using a plastic layer on the flexible displays that's nice because you can have one continuous screen however there are durability concerns with that kind of display Microsoft is going with glass on each of its screens which is pretty dang durable if there's going to be any points of weaknesses it's probably going to be in those hinges but we'll have to see when this thing comes out one bonus thing by the way Microsoft has a whole bunch of time to see how the market and developers respond the company could just pull the plug on the device before the holiday season however I think we're going to get a lot of multi screen devices in the future are you excited about the duo let me know in the comments am i as akhtar I'll see you onlinethese are the top five reasons the surface duo will be fantastic and in case you're wondering Microsoft is not sponsoring this video because that's not how this show works anyway Microsoft has a brand-new folding tablet coming out called the surface duo the company really does not want people calling it a phone but that's gonna happen the duo will be able to make and take calls while running Android sounds like a phone to a lot of us so let's get to why it'll be great at number five Microsoft announced this thing around a year in advance the surface duo is scheduled for a holiday 2020 release date how often do we get to see a company show off a totally different style of product with this much of a lead time not very developers have time to figure out how to take full advantage of the two screens on the duo sure you can put one app on each screen or just span one app on both but that's obvious Microsoft showed off using the device as a phone using one screen as a notification screen having a giant keyboard and even using one of the screens as a gamepad while the top displayed the game expect to see some creative ideas by developers at number four it's not running Windows this is not a knock on Windows 10 or Windows 10 X the new OS for dual screen devices the duo is running on a Qualcomm 850 which is an ARM chip Microsoft makes a version of Windows 10 that runs on arm like the one that's on the new surface pro X so it could have been really easy for Microsoft to slap Windows into its new folding device but no this is Microsoft thinking about the consumer Android has tons of apps and is quite mature people already know how to use it if you're using a pocket device that you may make calls on you might be expecting a familiar experience like with Android which brings us to number three the surface Deal is running Android the operating system already has built-in support for foldable devices like the Galaxy fold and the huawei mate X Motorola is also working on its own foldable all have different approaches as to how their screens unfold Microsoft will benefit from the trial era developers making apps for those other devices plus Microsoft already makes lots of great mobile apps for Android no seriously look it up look at the Play Store lots of Microsoft apps at around four and a half stars let's talk a bit about the your phone companion app and links your Android to your PC that means that the duo and pretty much any Android device can have the best of both worlds you get Android and Windows playing together if you're using Microsoft apps between the duo and a PC it should feel pretty consistent at number two Google listen to this clip from Microsoft's live event this product brings together the absolute best of Microsoft and we're partnering with Google to bring together the absolute best of Android into one product he said Microsoft is partnering with Google that means that Microsoft is going to be privy to all kinds of good stuff this is not like an Amazon fire device that runs a version of Android this is real Android with Microsoft working together with Google that sounds insane I very much want that to mean that the surface duo will be getting Android updates as quickly as pixel devices but who knows a man can dream and a number one the world is ready for the duo we've seen dual screen Android devices in the past a colleague of mine tweeted out the duo / neo are dinosaurs remember the Kyocera echo that came out in 2011 now the echo had two screens that when unfolded gave you a massive 4.7 inch screen there was also another two screen Android called the ZTE axon M it had two 5.2 inch screens held together by a hinge now I answer that tweet by saying duo / neo are more like birds lighter more evolved and can probably survive in the current environment the hardware Microsoft put together looks sleek and modern compared that to the axon M which was heavy and cumbersome Microsoft has put a huge emphasis on how surface devices feel in the hand we are likely not going to get a cumbersome device as for modern folding phones they are still using a plastic layer on the flexible displays that's nice because you can have one continuous screen however there are durability concerns with that kind of display Microsoft is going with glass on each of its screens which is pretty dang durable if there's going to be any points of weaknesses it's probably going to be in those hinges but we'll have to see when this thing comes out one bonus thing by the way Microsoft has a whole bunch of time to see how the market and developers respond the company could just pull the plug on the device before the holiday season however I think we're going to get a lot of multi screen devices in the future are you excited about the duo let me know in the comments am i as akhtar I'll see you online\n"