14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft isn’t planning an update for the Surface Duo dual-screen device, according to a report, with the next update now expected to go live in January.
Surface Duo runs Android and like all the other devices out there running Google’s mobile operating system, it’s eligible for monthly security updates.
Google has already published the December 2020 security patch level, and other manufacturers shipped it to their devices.
However, Microsoft is skipping December this time, though, for the time being, it’s not yet entirely clear why.
One reason could be the holiday season, as Microsoft has previously shipped Surface Duo updates in the second half of each month. And given the Surface team would be on holiday, Microsoft wants to avoid any potential issue and thus decided to skip the December update entirely.
Surface Duo international expansion
Another reason for this change could be the approaching international launch of the Surface Duo. Microsoft wants to bring the device to more markets, and this is expected to happen in early 2021, so the company could prepare more fixes and improvements ahead of this moment.
“Since introducing Surface Duo in August 2020, people have asked when we would make this product available outside of the US. We’re pleased to share that in early 2021, we’ll be offering Surface Duo in Canada, United Kingdom, France and Germany. We’re excited to share more information at the beginning of 2021, so stay tuned for more,” Microsoft said earlier this month.
In addition, the software giant is believed to be working on a black version of the Surface Duo, and this could be announced together with the international version of the device. For now, however, no confirmation has been offered on the dark Surface Duo though, so take this information with a healthy pinch of salt.