Microsoft prepares for foldable Windows devices

Microsoft is working on adapting Windows to work on collapsible devices. Sources close to Microsoft projects say The edge that the software maker makes foldable devices and dual-screen hardware a big investment area for Windows and Surface. This investment includes adapting Windows itself and its many built-in applications to work on foldable displays and dual-screen devices.

While Microsoft was experimenting with its own hardware with two displays, code-named Andromeda, the company was also working with Intel and other OEMs to be ready for the next years of experimentation. PC makers have developed a range of 2-in-1 devices for Windows 8 more than five years ago, and we expect to see a similar effort for dual-screen and foldable Windows devices in the coming years.

Most of this work is related to the Microsoft Composable Shell (C-Shell) and the Windows operating system, a more modular version of the existing Windows shell, which now powers many parts of Windows 10. The first version Windows 10 (rs_shell_devices_foldables) designed for collapsible devices was spotted earlier this week, revealing that Microsoft has a dedicated team to adapt its Windows shell to this new hardware. This should not come as a surprise to many Windows observers, as Microsoft has progressively integrated more of its work into two screens in early versions of Windows 10 in recent months.

Until now, we've only seen Microsoft's Windows Core OS operating system on devices such as Surface Hub 2, but hardware like HoloLens 2 should also begin to reveal how this new modular Windows push work. Dual-screen and foldable devices will not be limited to Intel either. Expect to see a range of PC maker peripherals that include ARM-powered chips.

Microsoft, however, will face fierce competition in the market for dual-screen devices and collapsible devices. Google is already committed to natively supporting collapsible media to limit fragmentation, and Android has the advantage of a mobile platform for devices that are trying to move from one platform to another. a phone format to a tablet format. Collapsible phones are already starting to appear, and 2019 will see the beginning of a new battle to redefine the form factors of phones, tablets and laptops.