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  • Microsoft’s Andromeda Can Fold Our Lives

    Microsoft’s Andromeda Can Fold Our Lives

    Microsoft’s dual-screen Andromeda computing device, which is understood to launch and explode the pocketable PC has been gather rumors for months like a snow ball. While not much is solid we know this will collaborate the mobile space with the laptop PC power.  Now, according to recently leaked internal emails, we are learning that Microsoft’s Andromeda is a “new and disruptive” device that will be part of the company’s Surface hardware family.

    What We Already Know

    Microsoft says “It’s a new pocketable Surface device form factor that brings together innovative new hardware and software experiences to create a truly personal and versatile computing experience,”. Microsoft’s Andromeda could become the ultimate convertible computing device. It will have the capability to transform into any one of five form factors depending on usage. While today’s convertible notebooks with 360-degree hinges can only be used in up to three usage modes, Andromeda can transform between closed, flat, convex, concave, and full modes.

    Microsoft’s Andromeda is  a unique and innovative response to the massive and putrid disaster that Windows mobile and its terrible devices have become to be.  Microsoft commented on what this foldable surface could be by saying  “It will blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing,”. Microsoft is tentatively planning to release Andromeda in 2018. They also noted similar devices from some of Microsoft’s top OEMs to “follow afterwards.”

    We have know for years that Intel is also working on similar dual-screen devices. Its said  that it will eventually exploit and embody Microsoft’s software break through with Andromeda. Intel has already created prototype devices with dual displays and electronic paper displays s.  Asus and Lenovo are creating devices that are inspired by Intel’s own concepts. I can say with the ut most certainty one device will be available later this year.

    The Final Thought

    The pictures of Microsoft’s Andromeda paint a much better vision then I can with words. Mark my words thought, his is the future being developed today. The 20’s, the 2020’s,  will roar once again with the foundation this foldable tech will bring. Our future will hold just one device, a tablet, laptop, smartphone, TV and massive desktop in one pocket.  I’m excited the tech of my 40s could finally be the consolidation I’ve always desired. Now I’m getting very excited for this next decade. One device to rule them all…..

  • Surface, Its New Version and a Price Drop

    Surface, Its New Version and a Price Drop

    The Surface wants to compete with the ipad for a broader market, so look for a price drop. A new report out today by Bloomberg claims that Microsoft is planning its next tablet line to be lower-cost in an effort to attract people to their products who aren’t interested in the more expensive Surface Pro. The move is directly aimed at competing with Apple’s recently launched $329 iPad, and could see Microsoft debut the devices as soon as the second half of 2018.

     

    Low Cost Surface

    From what I am hearing  the tablets will be priced at around $400, so not quite iPad cheap but not far off. They will be the first Surface devices to adopt USB-C and rounded edges “like an iPad,” instead of the square corners of the current devices. Storage tiers will include 64GB and 128GB, as well as LTE options, and the devices will feature 10-inch screens.  All good news.

    There are also rumors of a significant decrease in battery power. While I cant confirm any yet and wont until it gets the Beau’s 6 hour injustice marathon battery test, I will say that the rumors holds some weight. Currently everyone has come to a 6.6 – 14 hour battery life estimate for the current models. What we have hear it the new cheaper tablet will be coming in around 4 hours less. Knocking four hours of battery off a tablet with a 13.5 hour runtime is bad. Knocking four hours of run time off a tablet with a 9.6 hour battery life is terrible. In fact, if that penalty carried over across the board, this new Surface tablet wouldn’t even break the three hour mark. Relax, ill continue to monitor and keep you updated.

     

    The Final Thought

    Like always Apple steps in and delivers and the rest  of the tech world follow suit. follow suit. This is good new, a low cost Microsoft device is a great option for the marketplace. When the marketplace has diverse low cost options we all win.

     

  • Tablet Talk: Microsoft Surface Pro

    Tablet Talk: Microsoft Surface Pro

    The Surface Pro has always been the The ultimate laptop with versatility of a studio and tablet. Now its better than ever, the new Surface Pro gives you a best-in-class laptop, plus the versatility of a studio and tablet. The stunning PixelSense Display supports Surface Pen1 and touch, while up to 13.5 hours of battery life2 gives you plenty of juice to work all day and play all night.

    The Great

    • Brilliant PixelSense display
    • Simple, elegant design
    • Improved Type Cover keyboard
    • Fantastic performance

     

    The Not

    • No USB-C
    • Surface Pen and Type Cover sold separately
    • Better, but still mediocre battery life

    The Conclusion

    With its fantastic PixelSense display, improved Type Cover, faster performance and even better battery life, the Surface Pro is still the king of detachable 2-in-1s.

    The Design

    Not wanting to tempt fate by messing with an exceptional design, Microsoft made the new Surface Pro look almost identical to the previous two models.Sure, the company has rounded off a few edges to make the Surface Pro a little curvier and more pleasant to hold, but all the familiar elements are here, including the kickstand, power button, volume rocker and front-facing speakers.

    The Performance

    I  can see why Microsoft is moving away from referring to the Surface Pro as a tablet, given that it’s packed with very laptop-like components. Our review model was equipped with a fast dual-core Intel i7-7660U CPU and 16GB of RAM. The Core i7-7660U is no longer at the cutting edge, as Intel’s 8th-gen Core processors are now available, but it managed respectable performance.

    Surface Pen is Vastly Improved

    Why Microsoft opted not to call this the Surface Pro 5 is beyond us, as you can now see the firm changed practically every facet of the product. The Surface Pen got some of the most meticulous and belabored treatment.

    For one, Microsoft upped the pressure sensitivity of its pen to 4,096 levels of detectable pressure, meaning creators have more control over the width and intensity of their lines in illustrations or designs than before. Perhaps more importantly, the Pen now sports a much lower latency, meaning that the tip of your Pen has a far lower chance of “leading” the ink on the PixelSense display.

    Finally, the Pen also supports tilt detection now, though only through the new Surface Pro – the other current Surface devices will get the support for this feature through a firmware update.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-7660U (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 4GHz with Turbo Boost)
    • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
    • RAM: 16GB LPDDR3
    • Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display (Contrast ratio: 1,300:1, 100% sRGB color, 10-point multi-touch, 3:2 aspect ratio)
    • Storage: 512GB SSD (PCIe 3.0)
    • Ports: 1x USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, microSDXC card reader (UHS-I), headphone/mic jack
    • Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2 x 2 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.1 (Low Energy)
    • Cameras: 8MP rear-facing, auto-focus camera (1080p HD); 5MP front-facing, 1080p HD camera
    • Weight: 1.73 pounds
    • Size: 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches (W x D x H)

    The Final Thought

    Nearly five years after Microsoft introduced the device that created the 2-in-1 category, the company’s Surface Pro systems are still the detachables other companies are trying to beat. So how does Microsoft improve upon its class-leading hybrid? By refining its simple tried-and-true design, improving performance, shoring up some concerns about battery life, and creating a new line of enhanced and more colorful Surface accessories.

    I think Microsoft is still playing it a bit too safe in a few areas. While improved, the Surface Pro’s battery life still lags behind those of other ultraportable laptops, and the lack of a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port are strange omissions for a premium flagship device. And after three years in which the Surface Pro has had essentially the same aesthetics, I find myself wanting a bit more excitement out of this machine’s design. But if you want the best detachable out there, the Surface Pro is still the one to get.