Report claims the device won’t see daylight this year

Jul 3, 2018 05:08 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft was expected to launch the highly-anticipated Surface Andromeda mobile device later this year, but according to a report, not only that this isn’t likely to happen, but the project could be discontinued entirely.

The reason is as simple as it could be: the software to power such a device isn’t ready just yet, and Microsoft wants to reconsider plans for such ambitious projects before giving the go-ahead.

ZDNet cites unnamed sources as saying that Andromeda operating system code won’t be ready for the Redstone 5 update due in the fall for Windows 10, and at this point, it’s unknown whether it’d be included in Redstone 6 either. Windows 10 Redstone 6 is projected to go live in the spring of 2019.

Scheduling and quality are two of the reasons invoked for holding back the device, and Microsoft can hardly find “a compelling reason” to push the existing design to mass production. In other words, while Microsoft believes that the existing dual-screen approach could be the right way to go, it’s still not convinced that it can become a hit, as it happened in the case of the Surface 2-in-1 form factor.

Similar project planned in the long-term

The recent reorganization that took place within Microsoft is also one of the reasons Andromeda may not see daylight anytime soon or at all. It’s believed that the new administration team taking over key groups is currently reconsidering projects like Andromeda, and for the time being, no go-ahead has been given.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft doesn’t want to give up on the idea of launching a Surface mobile device, only that it aims to do the whole thing in a completely different way. The cited source says that if such a project is approved, “expect something more akin to a small foldable PC type form factor rather than a phone-sized device.” Offering Win32 app support is a priority, the report adds.

Current Andromeda prototypes are said to feature two displays connected with hinges that would enable several form factors, including laptop, tablet, and tent.

For the time being, however, it’s better not to get hopes too high, as Microsoft could kill off the project at any moment without telling anyone. The company has never discussed Andromeda plans publicly, and this gives it the opportunity to cancel the device by limiting the public backlash.