Microsoft's highly anticipated project called Andromeda (and referred to by many as the Surface Phone) will be released in the form of a "pocketable device," according to internal emails and documents leaked over the weekend.
Although no specific information has been released online, a report from The Verge suggests that this new Surface device will feature a dual-screen design that will allow for multiple form factors, as Microsoft tries to bridge the gap between smartphones and PCs.
"It's a new pocketable device that combines innovative hardware and software experiences to create a truly personal and versatile computing experience," Microsoft says in the leaked emails.
The purpose of this project is the same as in the case of other Surface models: to create a new product category that will eventually be embraced by Microsoft partners as well.
The source mentioned indicates that the existing design of this new pocket-sized device appears to be very similar to the concept published last December by David Breyer and imagines several factors fueling said innovative design. Depending on the orientation of the two screens, the Andromeda could be used in tablet mode, tent mode, and even as a laptop if one screen converts to a keyboard.
Microsoft is currently experimenting with ARM processors, but no decision has been made at this time, so the giant company has not yet chosen between Intel and Qualcomm for this project.
The new Surface device is expected to launch by the end of the year, but Microsoft isn't sharing any specific details. However, the company could quietly pull the plug on the project at any time if it doesn't go as planned.
If Andromeda launches, Microsoft would like to use it as a pioneer in this new category, thus allowing partners to build similar devices based on the same design.
