Microsoft has reportedly begun demonstrating a new dual-screen Surface device to employees. According to The Verge, the company recently held an all-hands event for its devices system.
At that meeting, it apparently played a video for new Surface devices in addition to a new dual-screen prototype device. Apparently, there was a long line of employees itching to get a glimpse of this mysterious new hardware.
Dual-Screen Surface Device
As The Verge notes, it's no secret that Microsoft has been developing a dual-screen device. For around two years, there's been mention here and there of "Centaurus," which is primed to start a new trend of dual-screen tablet and laptop hybrids.
Windows Central first reported about Centaurus back in December 2018. It's allegedly more similar to the company's Courier tablet concept than its previous Andromeda experiment, which was a smaller, pocketable Surface device. The company is no longer developing Andromeda, however, choosing instead to focus on a larger device.
Microsoft also has been developing different dual-screen prototypes for the Surface line, but this marks the first time it's shown one off to people inside the company, which indicates that the company is inching closer launching the actual the product. The Verge says this dual-screen device might arrive sometime within the next six months.
Windows Lite
Centaurus will reportedly run on Windows Lite — that is if Microsoft proceeds to launch the device. Windows Lite, as the name implies, is a lightweight version of Windows 10 for dual-screen devices that's similar to Chrome OS.
Rumors, of course, must always be taken with a grain of salt. But there's far too much evidence on hand to merely dismiss this as empty speculation. For starters, there's the fact that Intel has been pushing manufacturers to create this new hardware category, and even showed off a handful of concepts last year.
Microsoft has also been trying to build smaller journal-sized Surface devices for years. Previously, it described an unreleased 7-inch Surface Mini that's comparable to a Moleskine, calling it "awesome." Microsoft later canceled those efforts.
At this point, it seems practically confirmed that Cantaurus is coming out. The question then becomes whether or not it'll be interesting enough to ignite interest in the category. Early attempts at dual-screen devices have garnered underwhelming results, and there's no assurance Microsoft can singlehandedly reverse that reception.
But as always, time will tell. In any case, make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more about Centaurus.
