Microsoft 'Andromeda' and 'Centaurus:' Does size really matter for a new Surface?

Over the last couple of weeks, talk of a larger "Andromeda" device has been making the rounds on the spider web. I learned rather chop-chop that this larger device wasn't actually Andromeda at all, simply another device codenamed "Centaurus" that Microsoft is prioritizing over Andromeda for the time existence. Centaurus features the same two-screen setup that Microsoft is working on with Andromeda, except it's larger and non a phone. This raises the question, does size actually matter for a new Surface?

While many of us want Microsoft to make another phone, perhaps information technology's not a wise idea for the visitor to do so before it has an ecosystem in place to support information technology. Windows Telephone failed because of a lack of apps, and that hasn't changed since Microsoft laid information technology to rest. If Microsoft were to come up back with a new telephone, regardless of if it introduced a new form factor, it would fail for the same reasons. Nobody wants a device they tin can't exercise anything with.

However, people have a different set of expectations when it comes to ownership a PC over a telephone. With a telephone, nosotros rely immensely on app availability, considering that's the only existent way to do anything on those devices. On a PC, however, app availability is not a chief concern for nigh people, as a lot of what a user needs to do on a PC can exist done through a browser. Sure, some people need specific PC apps, mainly power users, but well-nigh people aren't primarily deciding between Windows or Mac based on the apps bachelor.

When I offset learned about Centaurus, I wasn't sure how doing a "bigger version" of Andromeda would change anything. A larger dual-screen tablet would suffer from the same problems Andromeda does, but then I remembered, Surface is pretty skilful with mixing things up, and Centaurus isn't going to simply be a tablet. It's very likely going to be a laptop too — a PC.

Thinking about form factors

To many, this new form cistron will feel gimmicky and unnecessary, only it'south a new mode of working. If Centaurus is modular in that it tin swap out one of the displays for say a keyboard accompaniment or an e-ink display, Microsoft could detect a unique market for it. Even if that isn't a matter, the idea of dual-screen foldable device something many people have been obsessed with since rumors of the Courier back in 2022. A digital periodical that can comport your digital life is still a unique idea, and one that could work.

Since Centaurus will be larger, it tin can be treated as a PC, meaning people will have different expectations for it. Sure, the Os will likely exist very different, only if it's Windows Core Bone, it can — in theory — run Win32 programs. That'south just there to tie people over until UWP apps become the primary app platform on Windows x, nonetheless.

Here's the thing, Microsoft isn't forcing developers to build UWP apps anymore. It'south not offering developers money to do information technology, and it's non offering to information technology themselves, because this organisation doesn't work. Instead, it'south playing the long game. In 10 years, will it brand sense to build a Win32 programme? By then, all the old versions of Windows that don't support UWP won't be in support anymore. Windows seven will hopefully have little to no market share.

And while in ten years there volition nonetheless be legacy apps in utilise, new app makers will very likely opt to build a UWP app, considering that'southward the app platform on Windows that's still existence updated. If the revolution of PWA turns out to be a huge deal, then Windows is already ready for that every bit well. UWP apps and PWA are one of the same on Windows 10.

So, doing Centaurus start gives Microsoft more time to build out an ecosystem for a phone it desperately wants to build. Size does matter here, and it merely ways we have to await longer for Microsoft to do a pocketable version. I'm not saying we'll accept to wait x years, but I am proverb we volition take to look a piddling while longer until Microsoft can figure out whether or not this form factor makes sense.

It tells a good story

Releasing Centaurus first makes for an excellent chronological story too. Let'due south say this form cistron proves popular, other OEMs spring onboard and build their own versions, and app developers starting time making apps that have advantage of the dual-screen setup. If that happens, Microsoft can in a few years come up out with Andromeda and market the shrunken technology, which makes for a more "personal" and connected digital journaling feel.

At that point, people start looking at Andromeda as the outset "true PC" that fits in your pocket. It runs Windows, it uses the aforementioned form-gene that's constitute in other devices that are successful, and at present it can make calls. It's the full bundle and makes Andromeda much more highly-seasoned. In addition, if PWAs take off similar we're hoping they will, it will take a selection of apps from that alone.

This could exist enhanced with Android apps too, running in an emulation layer for when a user needs information technology. At that indicate, Andromeda is the full bundle. A Surface Windows PC that fits in your pocket, runs however apps as your PC does, and can fifty-fifty run some Android apps when required.

And then, yes, I call up size does matter, as it changes how nosotros view these devices. Centaurus as a PC launching kickoff makes sense here, every bit it lays the foundations for Andromeda as a phone. Information technology would be the offset telephone that looks and behaves like a PC, that can also fit in your pocket. I think in that location's a marketplace for a device like that.