In a fascinating turn of events, recent images have shed light on the Surface Duo’s origins, revealing its initial conception as a Windows Phone. Codenamed Andromeda, this dual-screen device was envisioned to usher in a new era for Windows phones, featuring a custom-built operating system tailored for its unique form factor. Unfortunately, the project faced numerous challenges and was ultimately shelved in 2018, paving the way for the Surface Duo we recognize today.
Insights from the Andromeda Prototype
The newly surfaced images, discovered on the Chinese commerce platform GooFish, provide an unprecedented glimpse into the Andromeda hardware and its intended software. Among the various prototypes from 2017 and 2018, some devices remain operational and showcase the specialized version of Windows that Microsoft ultimately abandoned.
These visuals highlight several notable differences between Andromeda and the Surface Duo that eventually reached consumers. For instance, Andromeda boasted a back camera system, integrated wireless charging for the Surface Slim Pen, and a premium metal frame that lent it a more sophisticated feel—features that were conspicuously absent in the original Surface Duo. The decision to forgo these elements in favor of a lighter device resulted in a plastic frame, which, while reducing weight, compromised durability and led to issues such as cracking around the USB-C port over time.
Additionally, Andromeda’s design included smaller hinges, which were later enlarged in the Surface Duo to enhance stiffness. Some prototypes even featured a secondary monochrome camera sensor, intended for scanning 3D objects, aligning with Microsoft’s broader ambitions during that period, particularly with HoloLens and the Windows 10 Creators Update.
A Glimpse into the Operating System
The operating system developed for Andromeda was equally intriguing. Built on the then-nascent Windows Core OS, it featured a universal shell specifically designed for dual-screen use. The home screen resembled a digital journal, always ready for note-taking, reminders, and sticky notes. Apps were accessible above this journal, with a Start menu that could be revealed by swiping from the left display. Cortana served as both a digital assistant and notification center, available through a swipe from the right side of the right display. Notably, the lock screen was designed as an inking canvas, inviting users to draw or write directly on it with the Surface Pen.
While the Andromeda OS project never reached completion, the insights gleaned from these images offer a tantalizing look at what might have been. The journey of Andromeda is one of the most captivating narratives in the evolution of Surface devices, and its legacy continues to resonate within the tech community.
As we reflect on this glimpse into Microsoft’s ambitious yet unrealized vision, it raises the question: could Andromeda have succeeded in its original form? The discussion remains open, inviting speculation and commentary from enthusiasts and industry observers alike.
This is Microsoft’s canceled Windows-based Surface Duo — the dual-screen Windows Phone from 2018 that we never got
In a fascinating turn of events, recent images have shed light on the Surface Duo’s origins, revealing its initial conception as a Windows Phone. Codenamed Andromeda, this dual-screen device was envisioned to usher in a new era for Windows phones, featuring a custom-built operating system tailored for its unique form factor. Unfortunately, the project faced numerous challenges and was ultimately shelved in 2018, paving the way for the Surface Duo we recognize today.
Insights from the Andromeda Prototype
The newly surfaced images, discovered on the Chinese commerce platform GooFish, provide an unprecedented glimpse into the Andromeda hardware and its intended software. Among the various prototypes from 2017 and 2018, some devices remain operational and showcase the specialized version of Windows that Microsoft ultimately abandoned.
These visuals highlight several notable differences between Andromeda and the Surface Duo that eventually reached consumers. For instance, Andromeda boasted a back camera system, integrated wireless charging for the Surface Slim Pen, and a premium metal frame that lent it a more sophisticated feel—features that were conspicuously absent in the original Surface Duo. The decision to forgo these elements in favor of a lighter device resulted in a plastic frame, which, while reducing weight, compromised durability and led to issues such as cracking around the USB-C port over time.
Additionally, Andromeda’s design included smaller hinges, which were later enlarged in the Surface Duo to enhance stiffness. Some prototypes even featured a secondary monochrome camera sensor, intended for scanning 3D objects, aligning with Microsoft’s broader ambitions during that period, particularly with HoloLens and the Windows 10 Creators Update.
A Glimpse into the Operating System
The operating system developed for Andromeda was equally intriguing. Built on the then-nascent Windows Core OS, it featured a universal shell specifically designed for dual-screen use. The home screen resembled a digital journal, always ready for note-taking, reminders, and sticky notes. Apps were accessible above this journal, with a Start menu that could be revealed by swiping from the left display. Cortana served as both a digital assistant and notification center, available through a swipe from the right side of the right display. Notably, the lock screen was designed as an inking canvas, inviting users to draw or write directly on it with the Surface Pen.
While the Andromeda OS project never reached completion, the insights gleaned from these images offer a tantalizing look at what might have been. The journey of Andromeda is one of the most captivating narratives in the evolution of Surface devices, and its legacy continues to resonate within the tech community.
As we reflect on this glimpse into Microsoft’s ambitious yet unrealized vision, it raises the question: could Andromeda have succeeded in its original form? The discussion remains open, inviting speculation and commentary from enthusiasts and industry observers alike.