Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#51

Post by cptskippy » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:21 PM UTC

worg wrote: post #45

cptskippy wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google introduced project Treble in Android O and P to allow Android to work against a HAL to basically decouple the underlying Linux Kernel and drivers from the over arching Android Framework. There was speculation that this would enable Google to swap out the Linux Kernel for Fuschia when it becomes available. The Windows NT Kernel has had a HAL and the ability to do this since it's inception in the 90s. Microsoft…

IIRC WSL1 used a kernel compatibility layer, WSL2 uses a virtual machine [with the albeit minimal but very real overhead] so I find difficult to imagine they running android on top of NT [whatever they're calling the kernel nowadays]

> [whatever they're calling the kernel nowadays]

I think they renamed the NT Kernel to Windows Kernel to simplify things but in usual Microsoft fashion it just complicates comparing or discussing Today with Yesterday.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#52

Post by whalesalad » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:25 PM UTC

dao- wrote: post #48

whalesalad wrote: post #41

Ah, looks like Microsoft finally got around to producing some more gimmicks. The catastrophe that is the Samsung folding phone didn’t send a strong enough message to the industry I guess.

The MS device is a foldable phone with two screens, not a foldable screen. Samsung's (initial?) failure is irrelevant here.

It won't sell. It's a gimmick.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#53

Post by canada_dry » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:26 PM UTC

IMHO, the hinged - but separate - displays are a much better idea than the Samsung foldable display. At least for now.

I don't think the reliability of a truly foldable display (e.g. Samsung's Galaxy Fold) will be very good until another couple versions of generational improvements.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#54

Post by dao- » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:30 PM UTC

whalesalad wrote: post #52

dao- wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The MS device is a foldable phone with two screens, not a foldable screen. Samsung's (initial?) failure is irrelevant here.

It won't sell. It's a gimmick.

How is this a reply to what I wrote?

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#55

Post by danielovichdk » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:30 PM UTC

I miss Windows Phone everyday.

The best designed UI imo, and a great alternative to Ios and android.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#56

Post by eduren » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:30 PM UTC

pier25 wrote: post #47

Personally I don't see the attractive in dual screen devices unless we reach Westworld-like devices that are super thin and can go from phone to large tablet that can potentially replace a laptop. Otherwise it's just a thick phone that converts to 2 phones... In case anyone hasn't seen Westworld: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3dD7jOLaes

Agree. I love the design behind the Westworld folding tablets. I don't see myself jumping aboard the train until we get at least a little bit closer to that form factor.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#57

Post by ThrowawayR2 » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

pdimitar wrote: post #24

Not buying unless it runs [fixed and improved] Windows 10 mobile. I'm still dreaming of a Lumia 950 XL with a good app store...

Amen to this; I want another Windows Phone. If I'd wanted an Android phone, there are plenty of options already.

Microsoft would've done better by making a x86 Surface Go running full-sized Windows that happened to make phone calls. There were a few models of Android tablets that could make phone calls, so it's not as if it were a outrageous idea.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#58

Post by saulrh » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

I've been missing my Nexus 7 since it finished dying and have been wishing for a device with this form factor for years... but with a heavily-skinned custom android distro I'm not touching it with a ten-foot pole. MS isn't awful about release cadence and bugfix latency, certainly not as bad as cell network providers or traditional phone OEMs, but there's a reason I run stock android on Droid/Nexus/Pixel devices. Maybe if I can install a stock android ROM on the thing.

(Disclaimer: work at Google, totally unrelated product, not the opinion of my employer, etc.)

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#59

Post by numbsafari » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:34 PM UTC

bhauer wrote: post #6

I'm going to pick one up regardless, but if they can bring Windows 10 X to this device, and provide a docking experience that expands to approximate a full PC, the result would be fantastic.

Good luck. It's not shipping until "Holiday 2020"... if ever.

Announcing products like this should be reported on as an embarrassment for the companies that do it.

Re: Microsoft announces new Surface Duo phone

#60

Post by mattferderer » Wed, Oct 02, 2019, 4:36 PM UTC

belltaco wrote: post #46

joombaga wrote: post #36

> The Surface Duo features two 5.6-inch displays that can rotate 360 degrees, allowing it to be fully unfolded as a miniature unfold to 8.3-inch tablet. Unless I'm misunderstanding, it seems like you wouldn't ever need more than 270 degrees.

Needs 360 degrees to get to this. https://andro4all.com/files/2019/10/Microsoft-Surface-Duo.jp... From this: https://livecenterimages.azureedge.net/livecenter-images/lci...

Seems like a nice way to protect the screen. I wonder how hard it would be to place a small tiny notification screen on the 2nd image. I guess that would make 3 screens then. I recall some similar prototypes that used a small e-ink screen for notifications & a clock.