First look at Surface Neo, a dual-screen device with highly differentiated features like a keyboard that slides down to reveal a WonderBar touch screen area
This first look is the payoff of an arc The Verge has been tracking since 2018: sources reported a pocketable wraparound-display Surface codenamed Andromeda, then in January Microsoft was said to be adapting Windows itself and its built-in apps for dual screens. The October reveal makes that OS work concrete — Surface Neo runs Intel-based Windows 10X with a 360° hinge and a keyboard that rests on the bottom screen, teased alongside this deeper hardware tour.
First-order effects
Windows 10X now has a flagship reference device: the WonderBar touch area and per-app Office integration give developers and Intel a concrete dual-screen target for late 2020, not just a concept video from the earlier tease.
Second-order effects
The same event pipeline is already producing sibling hardware — CNET's hands-on with the two-screen Surface Duo prototype shows Microsoft splitting the category into phone-scale (Duo) and desk-scale (Neo) devices, forcing app makers to design once for both hinge geometries.
Third-order effects
If Neo and Duo ship as designed, Windows stops being one shell for one screen: the OS layer Microsoft began rebuilding in early 2019 points toward a modular interface where keyboard, touch strip, and two panels are interchangeable inputs — and Office, whose leader now reports directly to Satya Nadella after promotion to EVP, sits at the center of that surface.
The trend: Microsoft is re-platforming Windows and Office around multi-screen hardware, moving from the cancelled pocketable Andromeda idea to a two-device family — desk-scale Neo and pocketable Duo.
There's a good way and a bad way to design true wireless earbuds, and Microsoft chose to do them the bad way https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
I'm sorry, but this is called “vaporware.” A device with indeterminate specs, a release date a year away, and only company employees can use it? Kind of insane the way it's being covered as if it's real. Also no offense but these bezels are disgusting. https://www.theverge.com/..…
This is Surface Neo, and this is my first look at this new dual-screen device. It runs Windows 10X with some new software tweaks, an intriguing WonderBar feature, and a really cool magnetic keyboard. All the details and video right here: https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitt…
In addition to those wins for Qualcomm, I'm hearing they've also won the chip inside the forthcoming Microsoft wireless earbuds. Qualcomm already has headphone chip wins with Bose, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi. https://twitter.com/...
Not yet sure that the design makes sense. But at least it's something fresh and it's good to see Windows on a more mobile device again. https://twitter.com/...
the tab, apostrophe bracket and backslash keys are tiny on the Surface Neo. at least it does cool things when you place it on the screen https://www.cnbc.com/... pic.twitter.com/WZqgRptkoP
And, indeed: Surface Neo 📺Two 9" LCD screens 📏5.6mm thick on each side Magnetic keyboard 655g 📂Windows 10X 🍪Intel Lakefield “The next category of device.” Holiday 2020 #SurfaceEvent pic.twitter.com/u8eAhyFIRf
Content can be dragged from big screen to partial screen, on Surface Neo and reformats. Surface Neo: holiday 2020. Pretty damn amazing #MicrosoftEvent pic.twitter.com/EqipZyrBP8
Microsoft has been playing with two-screened laptop designs for almost a decade. Today they're finally unveiling a real one: Neo. Won't be available until next year, though, as @jordannovet reports. https://www.cnbc.com/...
Well, you can't say the Surface Earbuds look *anything* like AirPods. This design is going to be... divisive. But Microsoft is making big promises about audio and voice mic quality — plus some unique integration with Office apps. Can't wait to try 'em. https://www.theverge.com/..…