Microsoft teases its secret dual-screen surface device

Microsoft has begun to demonstrate a new dual-screen Surface hardware within the company. Sources close to Microsoft's projects say The edge that the company recently held a four-handed event for its peripherals team, where it showed a sensational video for new Surface devices and a prototype dual-screen hardware. Employees have even formed long lines to better see this new Surface device.

Microsoft has been building a new dual-screen device called Centaurus for about two years, which should be known as Centaurus. Windows Central The first time we reported the Centaurus code name in December, we understand that it looks more like the Microsoft Courier Tablet concept than the company's previous Andromeda project. Microsoft was working on a more "compactable" surface device called Andromeda, but the company has suspended its work in favor of promoting something bigger (Centaurus).

Picture of Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

It is very unusual for the Surface team to introduce Microsoft hardware more widely before it is formally announced, but we understand that new efforts are being made to move away from traditional secrecy. Microsoft has built various dual-screen prototypes for Surface hardware, but the fact that it has begun to show the Centaurus device more widely to employees indicates that the company is getting closer to launching the end product. Microsoft may launch this device in the next six months.

Centaurus will also be one of the first Windows Lite devices if Microsoft proceeds to launch it. Microsoft is preparing a new, lighter version of Windows for dual-screen devices and Chromebook competitors. "Windows Lite", as its code name is internal, is a more refined version of Windows that is initially prioritized for dual-screen devices like Centaurus.

Intel has pushed OEMs to create this new category of hardware, and the machines could look a lot like the Microsoft Courier concept, dual-screen laptops or even folding screens. Intel introduced a number of concepts last year, but we believe that Microsoft has worked closely with Intel on its Surface Centaurus device.

Microsoft has never officially confirmed the existence of Andromeda or Centaurus. "It's absolutely my baby," said Panos Panay, of Microsoft, in an interview with The edge last year, referring to the rumors of a stackable surface. "We will invent and create when products are right. We can not create new categories in the world and not be a place where customers need them. "

Panay had been dreaming for years about a smaller, notebook-like surface, previously describing an unprecedented 7-inch Mini Surface as "Moleskin-like" and "funky". Microsoft decided to cancel the product because it was not so different other smaller tablets five years ago.

Photo: Microsoft

Along with Centaurus, Microsoft officials have also introduced a functional version of xCloud to everyone. Microsoft will unveil more details on xCloud and public trials at the company's E3 event Sunday, but the cloud gaming service is being touted as a way to resume your games on the move and continue to play on iOS and Android devices rather than replacing them directly. Xbox consoles for the moment.

Microsoft has also introduced a new prototype of Microsoft Teams. Called Microsoft teams "for life", it is designed as an extension of the Microsoft chat application for friends and family. Microsoft is experimenting with features such as the sending location, shared family calendars, and document sharing. Microsoft seems to be trying to recreate the family features previously available on Windows Phone, in order to further compete with services such as WhatsApp.