MARCH 2020 PCWorld 21book, tablet, dual tablet,
and tent. The three most
interesting include tablet
mode, where the rear
display folds back out of
sight and shuts off, to save
on power and mistaken
input. Tent mode, as with
currently available
360-degree convertible
laptops, is optimized for
presentations. Last but not
least, the Surface Neo’s keyboard flops up to
cover part of the screen, creating what
Microsoft calls...
THE WONDER BAR:
A TOUCH BAR THAT
MAKES SENSE
When the Surface Neo’s keyboard is
attached to the device, a small strip of
space is left uncovered. That’s what
Microsoft calls the Wonder Bar, a space for
additional content, suggested emoticons
or GIFs, or whatever.
Looks like the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar,
you might sniff. But the Wonder Bar is
inarguably better: bigger, so it can show
more, and it also does more, In this picture,
posted during Microsoft’s Windows 10X
developer presentations, you can see
Microsoft’s keyboard suggestions—a fantastic
use of the technology. Auto-completing text
suggestions are an integral part of
smartphones, but they feel useless in
Windows. (Try them yourself in Settings >
Devices > Typing > Show Text Suggestions As I
Type.) By placing them right above the
keyboard, you can quickly reach out and tap
them, then return to typing.SMART SOFTWARE
SPREADS CONTENT
ACROSS SCREENS
Anyone who’s worked with multiple displays
understands the benefits of seeing more
information at any given time. Windows 10X
does this in three ways: allowing apps to
open in what’s known as “expansive
workspaces,” spanning apps across dual
screens; “focused screens,” which puts
separate apps on each individual screen,
and “connected apps,” which puts separate
apps on either screen but lets them talk with
one another.
There already appear to be pluses andMicrosoft’s Wonder Bar and Windows 10X makes good use of the extra
space when the Surface Neo’s keyboard is folded over.