Software delays, lack of purpose means Microsoft’s “Andromeda” may never arrive

Microsoft has developed a dual-screen device before: Courier was cancelled in 2010. (credit: Gizmodo)

We've seen over the past few months a growing number of signs that Microsoft is developing some kind of dual-screen pocketable device, codenamed "Andromeda." There are all sorts of patents, and new Windows APIs include telephony support and support for dual-screen devices with a hinge between them. There's even a rough release schedule, with the hardware due to come later this year.

But throughout it all, I've had a consistent question: why? What value will such a device bring, and why would anyone buy one?

It appears I'm not the only one to ask such a question. Mary Jo Foley, as well-connected as anyone writing about Microsoft could hope to be, has some bad news about Andromeda. At the very least, the device is probably delayed: software features that it requires apparently aren't ready for release in the next major Windows 10 update, version 1809, due in about October this year.

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