"(Andromeda was believed to be designed to include telephony support, but
it was never meant to be a consumer phone that Microsoft hoped would
rival the iPhone or Android phones.)" I read this as a "5G" type connection but....I would also have a Bluetooth earphone to make voice dialed calls from this device (parallel to the cellphone number). Yes, I am a technologist and have each of the devices and seldom use them to overlap applications, and dragging out a cell while I am streaming video on a Ipad-mini sized device would be aggravating when one can simply say "Hello".
I hope Andromeda is able to release "one day".
IMHO
:)

Just saw speculation on ZDNet that Apple could be releasing a foldable. Could this be the reason that MS is dithering? Seems to me that risk-averse Nadella got wind of Apple's device and crawled back into his shell. Seriously, MS will not be an innovator and hence a leader, until the board screws up its courage and shows him the door.

Whatever be the final outcome wrt Christmas 2018, while keeping fingers crossed, it seems that the operating system will be (could be) ready, but the eco system surely will not be, for a pocket device. Nokia had helped Microsoft a bit for a short while, helping them put themselves in the consumers' shoes, but all that is dead and enterred. Microsoft abandoned 'mobile first' apps development and enhancement a good while ago (both business and not for business) and have recently started playing catch-up. Getting back on track will take some time. Releasing a mobile Windows device without topnotch user oriented first party features would be suicide. Let them polish the apps for Android over the next 6 months or an year to come at par with the competition or better, and then WCOS and the new desktop experience (which I assume will natively support the same code as on Microsoft apps for Android) will start making a little bit more sense.

BTW, Uber is back on Windows 10 mobile with a brand new PWA. Even address search works now. So, I am not switching to Android anytime soon.

I have been looking for that disruptive device that would let me talk/text and run x86/x64 apps for work and play when docked. If Andromeda doesn't do that, then it is good that Microsoft cancels it and goes back to the drawing board.

Another reason you give about why leaks are made is "To kill something like... a product..." Remaking Andromeda larger so as it wouldn't be pocketable would steer me away. My 2-in-1 laptop supports inking already and since a larger version of Andromeda would be just as limited portability wise as my laptop and would require a bag; so I don't see the advantages for a larger version as clearly. The pocketable size of Andromeda set it apart from courier and ipads.

From what I have read, "foldable OLED displays" are simply NOT ready for primetime. When they are - rumors suggest late 2018 or early 2019 - Samsung and NOT Microsoft will be the first to market. I have read that several manufacturers are trying to beat Samsung but Samsung is pretty aggressive as they will make their own displays - they have been showing them off at trade shows for many, many years.

In addition, Windows on Arm is NOT ready as the first batch of Qualcomm 835 enabled devices are weak. Since then the Qualcomm 845 is shipping in volume and at Computex in early June the new Qualcomm 850 and 1000 were announced. Translation is that the Andromeda OS needs more power!

So, IMHO, this new Andromeda device is just NOT ready and, as with most reporting these days ... It's all about the "level of the Microsoft source". Considering the Verge reported the BIG leaked email last week and Mary Jo's source QUICKLY put the hammer down ... I would argue that Mary Jo's source is higher up!

Microsoft’s big annual Inspire (worldwide Partners) sales) event is happening in Las Vegas beginning July 15th ... this is clearly meant to quash the rumor.

I hope its not dead ... just delayed ... but, it's up to Satya Nadella to make some sort of statement as he was the one that teased this "new category of device" many months ago!!!

This is nothing new. Microsoft spends a lot on R&D. Just like Apple used to. The Crux of the problem is the huge number of applications ported to x86/x64 which are not being ported (perhaps cannot be) to UWP or to ARM.

Let's face it. Many users can function quite well with a tablet, priced from $100 to $500. Those that can't often need x86/x64 capabilities.

That means Windows.

Totaly upset!
I always wanted a pocket mobile sized laptop that works as phone, a lot of people actually do(I'm talking about some device that can run Win32 apps).
I can do my work while on the go, without the need to carry my laptop everywhere,
Think of it, a lot of people needs a laptop everywhere to run specific apps, if they carry their laptop on their phone, that would be awesome.
Microsoft also could buy or make a deal with BlueStacks or any Android-emulator and integrate their emualtor inside the system, so the device would run most of android apps. This is possible and it will be a device for everything!

Emulators are never 100% compatible and always add a level of overhead which is unacceptable for many applications.

Like a lot of Windows smart phone users, I wanted this device to come to the market place because
I wanted a good Windows 10 Mini Tablet which there are few of these days and a Cell phone built into the
Windows 10 mini tablet would have been a great asset. I am not alone had Microsoft brought this device to
the Market place I think they would have sold enough of them to make it worth their efforts to sell them.
looks like Android will make the new daring devices. in fact there is 2 screen Android smart phone in the
Market place and more are coming. seems to me that Microsoft has lost it's innovation these days.. the last exciting Microsoft product to me was the Surface Studio Yoo Nadella where is this phone you said would come from Microsoft that was not like any out there today. don't promos folks something and fail to delver it

Two points: most of the leaks about Andromeda have come from Microsoft. Microsoft of late has enjoyed playing Apple's secrecy game and building up excitement for new products. This leak is just the kind of thing to whip up even more interest.

As for the missing parts: you're missing something. Andromeda is on its own line. The base is Win 10 but it doesn't have to actually stay in sync at first. Windows Phone OS didn't. They can merge in the missing bits, release Andromeda when it's ready, then either do a off sync update to main Windows 10, or wait for the next major release point to being everything together.

As for a lack of a killer app stopping it - quick, remind me - what was the 'killer app' for HoloLens, Band and Windows Mixed Reality? When you're trying to take the lead with aspirational devices, you create the need - you don't wait for one to pop up. Even Surface took three tries to get it right. Sometimes you flop: Wndows Phone and Band come to mind.

But here's the thing: there is a killer app - Microsoft can't move Windows to 'all platforms' without a mobile device. UWP will never take off without it. They need something and they know the phone space is lost to Android and iOS.

Will it work? 50/50 at this time. But it has gotten a lot of people interested and excited. Microsoft would be insane to throw away that opportunity without even giving it a try.

Mary Jo, I have to say, so was the original iPhone and original entry level Surface Pro - pretty paltry devices. I think it is almost as much as a risk to sit on the technology too because someone could execute their blue ocean effectively and you come late to the game trying to perfect it - Zune.

Queue Samsung or Apple or whoever releasing such a device and it being considered a game changer and becoming a big hit.

As for the Andromeda device, I would have thought the 'market' for instant on note-taking/messaging/calls and the Office suite etc would be the Enterprise. Isn't that one of the mistakes they made with Mobile, they went consumer instead and as usual lost..horribly.

Thanks for driving a stake into my heart Mary Jo.

"who would really need a third device when they already have a phone and some kind of PC or tablet?"

Considering all the rumors have pointed to this device having LTE, who needs to have a separate smartphone? I've been holding out on upgrading my phone until the Redstone 5 update drops for this very reason. Nearly all the apps I use have PWA equivalents, and I'd assume this device would have the x86 emulation layer already present in current ARM-based Windows 10 systems. And worst case, I'm sure Bluestacks will release an update for ARM-based windows systems (or maybe Microsoft could dust off Project Astoria.)

Mary Jo, there is some confusion in this article. Redstone 5 is related to the desktop OS, which is separate from Core OS and Andromeda. To say that " the AndromedaOS, won't end up being part of Redstone 5" is accurate, but the larger fact is that it isn't directly part of any Redstone development.

I saw one problem with the Andromeda Concept - a small mobile device. And, believe-it-or-not, this ergonomic factor might have been a deal breaker.

Upon review, I never understood how it would work with a protective case! Think about it. A consumer purchases a thousand dollar plus small mobile device meant to be transported and used like a smartphone. How to protect this device from scratches and normal wear and tear let alone the accidental drop. This device was already going to be twice as thick and bulky as a single smartphone to begin with. Add a protective case and the definition of a "mobile" device that fits in a trouser pant pocket easily begins to stretch credibility. And where does one keep that active stylus (which this device really must have to justify it's existence)? Plus, we all know the famous Steve Jobs quote about a stylus.

And, how does one make this device water or dust proof - a major "must have" for modern smartphone designs.

No .. I agree with Mary Jo and her sources on this one. The Andromeda concept would work MUCH better in a full sized laptop based product instead of trying to put this thing (and it's case) in one's pant pocket.

Don't you think that you are making far too many assumptions about how terribly designed that device is going to be, based on your perception of this being a sandwich of two Samsung Galaxies? Fortunately for us, Microsoft did not hire you to design their next mobile device.

Agreed. And who gives a toss about Steve Jobs quote about a stylus? Even Apple have changed their game to compete with the Surface and now promote using the iPad with a stylus and keyboard, something they never did previously.

There are a million laptops on the market in every form you could ever need, we don't need another one.

I sympathize with your loyalties. Personally, I have nothing against Microsoft (having owned the original Surface Pro (with all the accessories) and a Surface RT and Surface 2 (Pity MS orphaned that product and prevented it from accessing the MS App Store.)

If Andromeda every sees the light of day and it is a viable product I would not be adverse to purchase one.

But my original observations or opinions have not changed on this. The technology would work much better in an ultrabook format, IMO.

Panos Panay already teased the supplier for their display.

Where, when, who?

LG, in a post which I think was on Twitter.

So, then what's with Panay's "tease" of a folding device on Twitter: https://twitter.com/panos_p...

"Would there be any kind of wide-scale appeal for an ARM-based small mobile device that worked with a pen and touch, but could only run the limited set of Microsoft Store apps?" There would, but niche, however that didn't stop them from releasing the Surface Studio. If they add the win32 emulation layer from Win10Arm to it, they wouldn't have the same app-gap problem. Yes Win32 doesn't look terribly good on such small screens, but it would work, thus eliminating the app-gap issue. Would it gain huge traction out the gate, no, it would be a word of mouth + people seeing it that would do that. More than that, the device as currently leaked wouldn't be a "third" device to go with their laptop, tablet and phone. It would be all three of those things, albeit with compromises. The road warriors who don't want to carry a laptop, tablet and phone would LOVE this device. Moreover, the timing is important here, it would be before any serious contenders got into the two-screen market, and before Android could be reworked to properly support dual-screen situations. If Microsoft were to release with a promise of Win32 support coming, and the shell functioned well enough for a first gen product (remember how the first surface was recieved?) They could truly open up a third OS option rather than our current Apple-Android Duality, and that, is something worth rooting for and doing your best to convince your contacts to try to push for as well.

"The road warriors who don't want to carry a laptop, tablet and phone would LOVE this device."

That sums it up for me and even for someone who works mostly from home, I still see huge appeal in a device that means I don't have to carry a laptop AND phone with me, and can work properly, something you just can't do with a phone because they're simply too small. I also see extra appeal in that it's not Android. Not all execs are locked in to Apple's ecosystem, many use Windows laptops and would love their portable device to run on Windows too.

Not necessarily: I carry a Convertible/Detachable Tablet and a smartphone therefore two devices only. A pocketable, 6" max size when closed, device would not be a replacement for my Tablet which has a 15" screen.

Way to crush dreams Mary Jo.

At this point I would be surprised if this project is cancelled. Way too much excitement around it and that is great PR for MS. Just like the Surface Studio is not really a money maker yet MS keeps iterating it, its a PR piece that they can wow people with then sell them something else.

IMHO, the way to make this device successful is to allow android apps to run on it. I know that is a pipe dream with the cancelled bridge but you don't really need a bunch of apps, just that one or two like a parking space app or banking one. The rest is mostly just browsing, email, twitter, etc.

From my hundred days on Android, before switching back to Windows 10 mobile, what I miss the most is NFC payments (in Canada). Finding myself at the coffee shop, having left my wallet at my work desk, makes me feel like swearing out loud.

If that bridge works like it was rumored to, then it'd be something to resurrect for a small device like this. If they have it run Win32 applications as well as Android apps, then we have something that would spark a lot more interest in quite a few people. Leave the Android apps to only work on one screen, but have the dual screen option open to UWP/PW apps, giving developers incentive to actually build for the new platform while still allowing users to get the apps they actually need.

Win32-on-ARM is a pipe dream that requires emulation. MS acknowledges the performance hit and additional limitations on the devices with those capabilities already exist.

Win32-on-ARM does not require emulation at all. There are 3 versions of the Win32 libraries - ARM 32 bit, ARM64 bit and x86 32 bit on each Windows for ARM device. Only the last requires emulation if the application links to them.

"...remember one of the reasons that people leak things is to try to save projects that look like they're going to be cancelled...."

Or, Mary Jo, those who want the project cancelled leak the kind of thing that you have based this article on. Personally, I am reserving judgement either way.