48 TECH ADVISOR • JANUARY 2020MICROSOFT SURFACE EVENT
time, however, Microsoft is partnering with Google
to run the phone on a special version of Android,
guaranteeing no app gap.
The Android world already has Samsung’s Galaxy
Fold, and the Surface Duo works similarly, opening
like a book. Microsoft’s version reveals not a bendable
OLED display, however, but rather two 5.6in displays
mounted side by side. Like its newborn cousin
the Surface Neo, there’s a very visible hinge in the
middle of the Surface Duo. Considering the torrent of
troubles Samsung’s had with its Galaxy Fold screen,
that’s probably the wisest choice. The use of two
discrete displays also allows the device to be used in
‘adaptable postures’ depending on the situation.
Most notably, the Surface Duo doesn’t run Windows
like Microsoft’s previous handset – it runs Android.
Microsoft executive Panos Panay didn’t get into
specifics as to how skinned the version of Android will
be, but from the looks of it, it’s quite different from
the current Android 10. He said the company was
working closely with Google on the device, and that
it will marry “the absolute best of Microsoft with the
absolute best of Android”.Surface outside, Android inside
It starts with the design, which is basically a smaller
version of the Surface Neo tablet. When closed, it
looks like a tiny laptop that may, of course, open into
clamshell mode or fold flat to be used as a tablet. While
the Surface Duo doesn’t technically have a separate
outside screen as the Galaxy Fold does, the 360-degree
hinge lets you flip the two inside screens to the outside.48 TECH ADVISOR • JANUARY 2020MICROSOFT SURFACE EVENT
time, however, Microsoft is partnering with Google
to run the phone on a special version of Android,
guaranteeing no app gap.
The Android world already has Samsung’s Galaxy
Fold, and the Surface Duo works similarly, opening
like a book. Microsoft’s version reveals not a bendable
OLED display, however, but rather two 5.6in displays
mounted side by side. Like its newborn cousin
the Surface Neo, there’s a very visible hinge in the
middle of the Surface Duo. Considering the torrent of
troubles Samsung’s had with its Galaxy Fold screen,
that’s probably the wisest choice. The use of two
discretedisplaysalsoallowsthedevicetobeusedin
‘adaptablepostures’ depending on the situation.
Most notably, the Surface Duo doesn’t run Windows
like Microsoft’s previous handset – it runs Android.
Microsoft executive Panos Panay didn’t get into
specifics as to how skinned the version of Android will
be,butfromthelooksofit,it’squitedifferentfrom
thecurrent Android 10. He said the company was
working closely with Google on the device, and that
it will marry “the absolute best of Microsoft with the
absolute best of Android”.Surface outside, Android inside
It starts with the design, which is basically a smaller
version of the Surface Neo tablet. When closed, it
looks like a tiny laptop that may, of course, open into
clamshell mode or fold flat to be used as a tablet. While
the Surface Duo doesn’t technically have a separate
outside screen as the Galaxy Fold does, the 360-degree
hinge lets you flip the two inside screens to the outside.