Microsoft’s Andromeda Device Release Not Likely This Year

There have been many reports that Microsoft is developing a dual-screen device powered by Windows. It’s believed to be codenamed Andromeda and Microsoft already has many published patents that detail such a device. A seemingly unrelated tweet by Microsoft’s Chief Product Officer Panos Panay has also led to speculation that the company may launch this device later this year but according to a new report, that’s unlikely.

It merits mentioning here that Microsoft has never said that it intends to launch a dual-screen Windows mobile device. It hasn’t even said anything about the software for it. The rumor mill came to this conclusion on its own based on purported leaked memos and published patents.

ZDNet reports that the software bits for Andromeda device which were initially believed to be destined for the next major Windows 10 update won’t be added to it after all. The scribe mentions that this partly due to scheduling and quality aside from there being no compelling reason for Microsoft to bring a small, dual-screen mobile device to market.

The software components of Andromeda aren’t going to be included in Windows 10 Redstone 5 which is due in October 2018 and they may not even be added to the next feature update to Windows 10, whenever that arrives.

The scribe also hears from sources that Andromeda or its successor may eventually come out but it may not be a phone-sized device, it would instead have a small PC type form factor with the ability to run Win32 apps.

As always, Microsoft has opted to remain tightlipped on Andromeda-related news.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Gadgets
Tags: Andromeda, Microsoft