Microsoft is reportedly working on a new foldable device that runs on Windows 10, and it’s supposedly codenamed ‘Andromeda’.
We’ve hearing about a mysterious Microsoft project called Andromeda for a while now, but details have been thin on the ground. The good news is that some new information has emerged, giving us unprecedented insight into what Microsoft might be cooking up behind closed doors.
Specialist blog Windows Central has published a detailed report that suggests Andromeda is actually a new foldable device “with an emphasis on pen and digital-ink functionality”. The report notes that this device will run on Windows 10 and “could be here as soon as next year”.
It’s technically a tablet device, but sources say it’s “designed to be pocketable when folded”, bringing it down to the size of a phone. It’s also tipped to feature telephony capabilities – like making calls and sending texts – so you could technically replace your actual smartphone with it.
But the report notes: “My sources make it clear, however, that this is not supposed to be a smartphone replacement, but rather a device similar to the cancelled ‘Microsoft Courier’. In short, Andromeda is a digital pocket notebook.”
The writer goes on: “I’m told the device puts pen and inking at the very forefront of its experience, with some prototypes opening up into a notebook app that’s tied to OneNote,” adding: “The notebook app itself is designed in a way that mimics writing in a real notebook, with virtual pages that spread across the foldable device.”
This Andromeda folding tablet is tipped to become one of the new wave of upcoming devices running on Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon processors. The first of these Snapdragon laptops are expected to debut in September.
A folding phone-cum-tablet is an interesting move from Microsoft, given that the firm has resolutely culled its mobile business only this year. However, the company still appears to be all-in on hybrids, and this is arguably just another take on the 2-in-1s we’ve seen rising in popularity amongst consumers.
Still, Microsoft hasn’t announced anything officially, so take all of this with due caution for now.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
