Andromeda may be released sometime next year

Aug 7, 2018 06:58 GMT  ·  By

Even though Surface Andromeda has already been delayed, Microsoft has been very active lately on the software side of the project, with several apps and updates proving that the company is still committed to this device.

One of the most recent indications that Andromeda lives on behind the closed doors at Microsoft is the Windows 10 Mobile Phone app, which has received a bunch of improvements and landed on Windows 10 PCs as well.

While it does sound weird at first for a phone app to be released on PCs, there are two different reasons why this makes sense.

Phone app on PCs

First and foremost, a phone app could enable Windows 10 PCs with LTE capabilities to make and receive calls. This would technically bring the phone form factor to any Windows 10 device, though it goes without saying that making phone calls from a bigger device isn’t really the most convenient thing to do.

Second of all, the Microsoft Phone app being pushed to PCs could mean that Microsoft is preparing the necessary software arsenal for Andromeda. One of the reasons Andromeda was pushed back was the lack of apps for the device, and with this release, Microsoft may have just made a major step towards addressing this problem.

Previously, it was rumored that Andromeda could also boast phone capabilities, despite not having a phone form factor per se. Andromeda could use a dual-screen design with a hinge that allows it to convert from laptop to tablet and note-taking device, but with a phone app, it can also be capable of making phone calls in at least one of these form factors.

The app is reportedly available for insiders for the time being, but could become available to more users with the release of Windows 10 Redstone 5 in the fall. Andromeda may see daylight, if everything goes according to the plan, either in the spring or in late 2019.