Microsoft: Just bite the bullet, release Surface Andromeda

Source: Concept artist David Breyer.

Expectations revolving around Microsoft's unannounced Surface Andromeda are reaching particularly ridiculous levels, I say ridiculous because this thing hasn't even been announced.

Owing to leaks, patent filings, code snippets from the Fast Ring, and other rumors, we have a fairly complete picture show of what Andromeda may look like. A folding tablet, with telephony, inking, powered by a new Windows variant Os, running apps from the Microsoft Store. Andromeda would be a versatile powerhouse that, sure, might non replace the average consumer's smartphone, only I've seen enough people carrying iPads around in tandem with their laptops and smartphones, all at in one case, to know that this thing has a market place, admitting niche.

I have zilch doubts about the technology prowess of Panos Panay's Surface team. Like with the Microsoft Courier, what could prevent Andromeda's release is visitor politics and the cowardice of upper management. I say grow a spine, Microsoft.

Rumors of a delay, even cancelation

Andromeda was a featured a fleck in the news last calendar week, after The Verge leaked an internal email detailing how they're aiming to build a disruptive product. Before long after, ZDNet reported that Andromeda had been delayed, or fifty-fifty canceled, as Microsoft struggled to discover a real reason to release this thing.

The fact ZDNet received negative intel nearly Andromeda, not fifty-fifty a couple of days later The Verge leaked, what appeared to be, a positive email, seems to point to internal strife surrounding the product. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley noted that sometimes leaks occur to try to pulsate up public back up for a production facing counterfoil. I certainly saw this myself with the Xbox Career system, where a flurry of leaks in a short infinite of time, along with some continued insistence that it was still on the way, was quickly undermined when Xbox CVP Mike Ybarra said that the organisation was no longer in development. Could Andromeda face the same fate?

Disruptive products, niche products

Microsoft doubtlessly shelves projects all the time, but Andromeda is something the world has never seen earlier, at least not from a big mainstream tech company. Sure, there have been tech demos, and hacked-together Android concepts, only there hasn't been a company to come forward yet and say "this" is a new form factor we're going to support within our ecosystem. Windows, and Surface, are uniquely positioned to power a tablet of this type.

Windows Ink, while niche, certainly has its fans and users. If it was a truthful failure, Microsoft would have stopped releasing endless updates to its Surface Pen line. The Surface Studio, widely rumoured to get a second outing, is the ultimate expression of the inking apply-case, with an absolutely stunning screen focused effectually digital art production. Yous could say the Surface Studio is a niche inside a niche, still Microsoft still decided to not only release information technology, only likely support it with a sequel. Why is a truly pocketable mobile sketchbook and so taboo for Microsoft?

Unintelligent edge

Concept creative person David Breyer's reportedly accurate Andromeda renders.

The tech printing is already railing confronting Andromeda, seeing it as another reboot of Microsoft'due south doomed mobile aspirations. Windows Telephone seven failed, 8 failed, 10 failed, hard. We all know the story. Rather than soldier on with Windows x Mobile and Lumia, Microsoft shelved information technology, depriving UWP of a small screen endpoint, which I'd fence has killed the unabridged platform. In response, Microsoft changed the way it'south thinking almost mobile and devices in general, which they telephone call the "intelligent edge."

The over-reliance on the third-party "intelligent edge" is harming Microsoft's operating systems, and by extension, OEM, app developer, and consumer confidence.

Microsoft is the king of "missing the boat." Rather than invest in some kind of smart speaker, or double downwards on Kinect for Xbox Ane, Microsoft immune Amazon to move in and begin dominating the smart dwelling speaker market, and by extension, IoT devices. Now information technology has to rely on Amazon playing nice to deliver Cortana to Windows users, which, in plow, allows Amazon'south Alexa to encroach on Windows PCs. The over-reliance on the third-party "intelligent edge" is harming Microsoft's operating systems, and by extension, OEM, app developer, and consumer confidence.

Microsoft'southward "intelligent edge" mantra seems like a scrap of an excuse to avert taking risks on Microsoft's part. Redmond hopes that information technology can rely on third-political party platforms to play nice when information technology releases its software and services on their mobile platforms, shirking the responsibility of providing UWP devs or Windows users the pick of not having to buy into the Apple, Amazon, or Google ecosystem for a pocket computing device.

Intelligent edge excuses.

This reliance on the goodwill of companies and ecosystems that have been openly hostile to Microsoft in the past, I'd argue, is far riskier than merely attempting to provide endpoints for its own ecosystem. Apple recently slapped Valve from the iOS app shop, blocking Steam Link from its entire platform. Both companies are currently working to get Steam Link on iOS, simply information technology sounds as though Apple volition expect some form of cutting for assuasive Valve essentially have engagement abroad from the App Store. This could bode ill for Xbox cloud streaming, or at to the lowest degree its profitability.

That'south just ane example of a way Microsoft'southward reliance on external ecosystems tin can hinder the company'due south potential. I'm by no means suggesting that Microsoft has any hazard of catching up at this point when information technology comes to mobile ecosystems. That send has non only sailed, but violently sunk to the lesser of the ocean. I am maxim, however, that at that place should at the very to the lowest degree be an option. A presence. The lack of a modest screen endpoint for the Windows ecosystem is a glaring missing link.

Andromeda opportunity

Microsoft's "future productivity" concept vision may be realized by Redmond'due south competitors commencement, due to cowardice.

If Microsoft has the opportunity to prove it can take risks, and not only build unique devices, but support them, I believe that information technology would have a cascading effect on Windows and the PC market in full general. The dual-screen form factor has all sorts of exciting utilise cases. Microsoft needs something to showcase Windows' versatility as a platform, as it seeks to embed eSim technology, LTE, progressive web apps, to create more nimble always-continued mobile-like PCs. The rumored smaller Surface device volition already brainstorm blurring these lines, the logical adjacent step is something that truly can fit in your pocket.

Release Surface Andromeda, y'all cowards.

Sure, there are many moving parts that demand to align to make this work. If it launched today, a Surface "telephone" tablet would take no WhatsApp, essentially killing it as a master mobile device in Europe. Information technology would have no existent loftier-quality music service, since Spotify isn't UWP-based, and Groove Music was killed.

It requires all new technology to work properly, new Windows features, and a new developer SDK. It needs every department at Microsoft pulling in one direction, backing information technology, investing in it, and believing in information technology.

These days, I'm simply non sure Microsoft is capable of taking real risks anymore (I actually have a bet with Senior Editor Zac Bowden that Andromeda volition never come out). This disfavor to danger is what has led to Microsoft missing the boat on so many damn things it hands had the ability to have a leadership role in. If Microsoft doesn't kickoff caring well-nigh pocketable small-screen calculating soon, not just does Windows itself runs the risk of becoming obsolete, developer and consumer confidence in Microsoft to launch and properly back new products will continue to run on empty.

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Oh Honey

New report reveals Microsoft'south future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-upwardly written report with more details almost Microsoft'southward canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a set of screens within, powered by a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft's commencement foray into affordable laptops for the education market is a winner. With a gorgeous blueprint, splendid thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do right to sell this directly to consumers as well. Let'southward only hope Intel can make a ameliorate CPU.