14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s Surface Duo is one of the most innovative Android devices currently on the market, as its dual-screen form factor essentially transforms it into a super-productive computer that fits any pocket.
Currently at its second generation, the Surface Duo isn’t necessarily a leader in terms of under-the-hood hardware, though its specifications are still more than enough for 99 percent of the potential customers.
And starting in late October, the Surface Duo is offering a completely upgraded experience, all thanks to the arrival of Android 12L.
The new operating system obviously comes with lots of improvements for the Surface Duo, starting with the visual refresh that’s inspired by Windows 11.
That’s right, Microsoft is bringing Windows 11 and Android closer together, as the software giant has tried to make the mobile experience feel as familiar as possible for those with a Windows computer.
“With unified iconography, colors and UI controls, the Surface Duo feels familiar, an integral part of the wider Windows ecosystem. The visual alignment culminates in Surface Duo’s ‘Quick Settings’ and ‘System Settings,’ which pave the way for further functional alignment and raise expectations for increased cross-device operability,” the software giant says.
The four new wallpapers that are available on the Surface Duo are also inspired by the Windows 11 hero image. Just like Windows Spotlight on the desktop, the Surface Duo supports dynamic theming, so users can automatically switch wallpapers on the home screen based on a series of settings.
“Powered by Android 12L’s new dynamic theming engine, users can personalize their experience with color palettes applied across the system, based on their selected wallpaper. As a part of the OS update, Surface Duo will feature four additional wallpapers that align with new Windows desktop backgrounds, offering tailored accent color options that bring the vibrancy of Windows to Android,” Microsoft says.
When it comes to features, one of the most notable additions concerns the Surface Slim Pen 2. Android 12L includes a dedicated pen menu that shows up when pressing the top button. It includes quick actions and instant access to popular apps, including OneNote.
Furthermore, the Surface Slim Pen 2 pairs with a Surface Duo automatically, all by simply touching the screen.
Android 12L also comes with updated widgets, including a new Photos widget from OneDrive that can be pinned to the home screen.
The privacy side of the operating system is also getting a refresh, including a new dashboard that displays additional information. The use of camera and the microphone is displayed via a dedicated indicator right in the status bar, so you’ll know when an app uses them.
“Android 12 introduces a new Privacy dashboard that keeps track of camera, microphone and location usage by apps for the past 24 hours. Camera and microphone use is now actively indicated in the status bar at all times, both of which can be directly disabled or enabled from new toggles in Quick Settings. Android 12 also puts the customer in control over location accuracy per app, letting them choose between precise and approximate accuracy based on preferences,” Microsoft explains.
In case you’re wondering when the next-generation Surface Duo is supposed to land, this is unlikely to happen earlier than the fall of 2023. The device is still in the works, people familiar with the matter said, but for the time being, it’s not yet known if Microsoft is planning any big changes in terms of design or the company just wants to stick with hardware improvements that would be specifically focused on the performance of the device.