Sure thing, buckle up because here it goes:
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So, here’s a weird little tidbit you probably didn’t know. The Surface Duo? Yeah, it wasn’t always supposed to be an Android gadget. Nope, it kicked off as a Windows Phone project. Crazy, right? And don’t even get me started on the hardware—it was a totally different beast back in 2017 when they first brainstormed this thing. Anyway, I guess it flopped in 2018, go figure.
Ah, Andromeda. Sounds like a sci-fi saga, doesn’t it? But no, it was supposed to be this ground-breaking two-screen wonder. I mean, they wanted to obliterate the mobile market with a custom-built OS. But, yeah… delusions of grandeur, I suppose. Microsoft kind of said, “nah,” and flipped it into what we now call the Surface Duo.
What’s super interesting—at least to me—is that Andromeda was created to be like this digital notebook thing. Imagine replacing your phone with something you can draw on. Pretty wild, huh? They wanted you to scribble everywhere, which was supposed to be a game-changer. But… was it?
Weirdly enough, it wasn’t until recently that anyone got a peek at Andromeda running the OS it was meant for. Some gutsy tech folks on GooFish (no, really, that’s what it’s called) dug up a pile of these prototypes from the 2017-2018 era. Honestly, some look like they’ve been through a war, but others? Surprisingly in good shape.
What struck people was how different it could’ve been. Imagine having a back camera, wireless pen charging, and a strong metal frame—kinda posh, if you ask me. The Surface Duo eventually dropped all that. The why? Microsoft wanted to keep it light. Guess y’all gotta sacrifice some things.
And let’s not even mention those hinges! Apparently bigger hinges were a must for sturdiness. Oh, and did I ever tell you about the 3D scanner camera thing? Not even kidding. But, 3D was Microsoft’s jam back in the day with HoloLens.
Fun side note—the original Andromeda might’ve looked more like something out of a retro journal shop. Fabric casing and all. Imagine that!
So then there’s this Windows version—the Windows Core OS—the idea was for it to have a universal shell for dual screens. The whole journal-as-home-screen vibe actually sounds a bit charming to me. You could ink all over it, leave sticky notes… you get the picture. Oh, and Cortana would hang out on the right. A bit nosy, but helpful?
Bear in mind, nothing ever reached the finish line before they shelved it. Just a collection of dreams nearly wrapped in an idea. But hey, knowing this stuff now? Kinda satisfying. I dunno, it feels a bit like unearthing a long-lost diary.
I started covering this Andromeda journey around 2017, even teased it way back on Twitter. Honestly, this was the most compelling thing I’ve ever had my hands on with regards to Surface gadgets. An enigma, still.
Oh! Did you realize Microsoft ditching this also meant saying goodbye to Windows Phone? The whole platform was succumbing to obsolescence, and Andromeda was supposed to be the hero. Alas, there’s more to that tale, but let’s leave it there for now.
So, here’s to nostalgia and “what ifs.” Anyway, think Andromeda had a fighting chance? Sound off below!
