Microsoft is working on a pocketable Surface device

[HEXUS]

Foldable Surface phone packs dual displays, stylus, and is expected to be "disruptive".

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[3dcandy]

But of course Microsoft have a renowned reputation in the filed of phones....

[Tabbykatze]

But of course Microsoft have a renowned reputation in the filed of phones....

I don't think that's very fair, their Microsoft WM8 phones were fantastic but their problem was they didn't create a decent application ecosphere fast enough. They also promised a migration tool to migrate Java apps into C# but never completed it so the hop off to Windows Mobile wasn't very appealing having to learn how to do C# then completely re-code your app.

Personally, I think Microsoft should have aggressively cornered the Enterprise Mobile market like Blackberry used to have and then in the future re-broach into the commercial world.

They suffered from: "No one wanted WM because it had no apps and because it had no one on it, app developers didn't want to write for it."

[3dcandy]

I don't think that's very fair, their Microsoft WM8 phones were fantastic but their problem was they didn't create a decent application ecosphere fast enough. They also promised a migration tool to migrate Java apps into C# but never completed it so the hop off to Windows Mobile wasn't very appealing having to learn how to do C# then completely re-code your app.

Personally, I think Microsoft should have aggressively cornered the Enterprise Mobile market like Blackberry used to have and then in the future re-broach into the commercial world.

They suffered from: "No one wanted WM because it had no apps and because it had no one on it, app developers didn't want to write for it."

Point well made...but they still failed. Mahoosively. Awfully. And whilst I would love to see a credible 3rd mobile OS I can't see it happening unless this device is made for a small market

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Igor......Windows Phone lives.....again!!

[Spud1]

Whilst I agree that Windows Mobile after version 6.2 was a massive failure (however was brilliant before that Particularly with Sense UI on top) I don't think this new device, if it ever comes to market, would fall into that segment. It's not (from what we know) intended as a phone.

The key to making this work is to NOT make this another Windows RT like device - that means they need to launch it with full x86 Windows support, including "legacy" apps. I can see a lot of potential if they take that approach, but much less so if they lock down what will run on it.

Time and specifications will tell I guess..but could be great if Microsoft can really crack the form factor.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

So does it come with a mini keyboard and mouse??

[Spud1]

So does it come with a mini keyboard and mouse??

Mini Stylus and at least a virtual keyboard

Personally I think this is the Surface Mini that has been talked about so much recently, but with a clamshell form factor that ultimately means it would be pocketable (if you have big, jacket pockets). I can see a place for such a device - like the SubLaptop form factor combined with a tablet (2 screens with one that can act as a screen, rather than a physical keyboard) but we will see!

[philehidiot]

I think a virtual keyboard has too many compromises. You can't touchtype on it or anything close unless you're using it so frequently you develop the muscle memory. This lack of feel is why phones have autocorrect on them. Then you have this idea of a gamepad where you can't feel where the controls are (and every game will have its own pad) and so you have to take your eyes off the game to look at where the buttons are. If you have a clever material that can apply a light texture to the screen to outline the buttons, that could work but remember it's a touchscreen so you end up with the same problem as measuring electrons - the simple act of locating the button is going to result in you pressing on it.

This idea of a non cut down version of Windows is fine in theory but when the hardware is so specialised then you are going to need people to code especially for the device. Like the good old Jornada 720 (I think), which had a cut down version of Windows 2000 on it (if I remember rightly). I seem to remember that ran on an Arm CPU anyway but they went to great lengths to try and make it relatively easy to code for. But no one did because of the lack of market penetration and the lack of software meant a lack of penetration. Sound familiar?

The other issue is that we already have these kinds of devices. They're called smartphones and you can just link a Bluetooth keyboard to them. The ecosystem is already developed and established.

This smacks of MS having too much money and not knowing what to do with it, arrogance that they can corner another market and a distinct lack of thought about how normal people (who aren't wealthy tech nerds in silicon valley) use these kinds of things these days.

[jimbouk]

This smacks of MS having too much money and not knowing what to do with it, arrogance that they can corner another market and a distinct lack of thought about how normal people (who aren't wealthy tech nerds in silicon valley) use these kinds of things these days.

I dunno, I'm quite happy for them to throw money at fun little projects like this. Who cares if it takes off, it looks neat!

I agree about the lack of physical keys though. Buttons aren't being removed from devices because people don't like buttons, it's being done for cost. I was very tempted by the Sony Vaio P series back in the day, and loved the Psion I acquired from my Dad during uni (more as a gadget as it was old even by then).

[LSG501]

IF this is any good I'll likely jump on 2nd gen, when I saw the video's of the courier I was like that is perfect for my usage when with clients and would have jumped on it in a heartbeat but sadly didn't come to fruition (stupid ms, pretty much everyone I knew wanted one).

Hopefully this does work similar to the courier as I can kind of see it being pretty good IF the price is right.

[llololloy]

I really am interested in what this is going to be.
I used win mobile from the mda vario days and stuck with them up until christmas 2017, and I only jumped ship to android then as they said they were no longer developing devices or software.
I have not enjoyed my experience of android in comparison to windows phone, and while I doubt this is going to windows phone 10+ or whatever, if it manages to run all windows software while seamlessly being a phone I might be all over this.

[Iota]

I really am interested in what this is going to be.

This, if it looks like you can open it up and use as a tablet, that would be great portability wise.

[3dcandy]

I dunno, I'm quite happy for them to throw money at fun little projects like this. Who cares if it takes off, it looks neat!

I agree about the lack of physical keys though. Buttons aren't being removed from devices because people don't like buttons, it's being done for cost. I was very tempted by the Sony Vaio P series back in the day, and loved the Psion I acquired from my Dad during uni (more as a gadget as it was old even by then).

Also being removed as they are often the weakest point for breakages and with the amount of use phones get these days honouring a warranty could be expensive...

[Corky34]

I don't think that's very fair, their Microsoft WM8 phones were fantastic but their problem was they didn't create a decent application ecosphere fast enough. They also promised a migration tool to migrate Java apps into C# but never completed it so the hop off to Windows Mobile wasn't very appealing having to learn how to do C# then completely re-code your app.

Personally, I think Microsoft should have aggressively cornered the Enterprise Mobile market like Blackberry used to have and then in the future re-broach into the commercial world.

They suffered from: "No one wanted WM because it had no apps and because it had no one on it, app developers didn't want to write for it."

Maybe it's just my own impression but for a software company they always seem to nail it when it comes to hardware and somehow screw up the software side of things, maybe it's a too many cooks spoiling the broth sort of thing.

EDIT: That's not to say all their software is a screw up in case anyone takes umbrage.

[Tabbykatze]

Maybe it's just my own impression but for a software company they always seem to nail it when it comes to hardware and somehow screw up the software side of things, maybe it's a too many cooks spoiling the broth sort of thing.

EDIT: That's not to say all their software is a screw up in case anyone takes umbrage.

I can see I'm in the minority who liked WM 6+ xD

But yes, hardware was great and the execution of the main OS and its integrated applications were fab. Manageability of a Windows Phone using Intune (ergh) was pretty damn good as well.

But alas, we shall see.

I like Android and iOS serves a purpose (even if Apple are taking hints from Satan himself) but we really needed a third option.