14 DAY TRIAL // The mythical Surface Phone, which is unlikely to be a phone per se but more of a mobile device boasting a multi-form factor approach, is still a thing, according to findings in the latest Windows 10 SDK.
Codenamed Andromeda, this device is currently in the works and might be slated for a late 2018 release, according to previous information on this front.
Windows 10 build 17672 SDK includes several references to projects called Andromeda OS and Andromeda Device, with evidence that the tablet/laptop/Courier-like model is currently being developed behind the closed doors at Microsoft.
By the looks of things, Microsoft is building Andromeda OS to support ARM and x86, though the device itself is likely to run on ARM anyway. Twitter user @h0x0d has also discovered references to Windows Core and Polaris, with the latter previously said to be ready later this year.
Launch rumors
And while Andromeda might still be on the table, very little has been said on when exactly it could see daylight for customers worldwide.
The original version of Surface Phone, which in the meantime has probably been canceled given its exclusive phone approach, was projected to launch in 2016 and was then delayed to 2017. The project was presumably rebooted when Microsoft decided to build Andromeda with a completely new approach that would be based on multiple form factors, foldable displays, and special software.
The debut of Andromeda could take place as soon as this year, though once again, these are nothing more than rumors based on information coming from more or less reliable sources.
Microsoft has remained completely tight-lipped on such a project, despite the company hinting at a possible “ultimate mobile device” on several occasions. It remains to be seen if Andromeda eventually gets the go-ahead, but for the time being, it’s better not to hold your breath on it.