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The original Surface Duo announced in 2019 is no longer supported. The device reached its end of life on September 12, 2023, meaning it will no longer receive firmware and software updates from Microsoft. Although the first-gen dual-screen smartphone from Microsoft is now officially six feet under, enthusiasts refuse to give up on it. The DuoWOA team released a new set of drivers to improve your experience when running Windows on the original Surface Duo. Key changes include fixes for audio peripherals, the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock support, UEFI improvements, and more. The official changelog published on GitHub contains the following: Surface Duo 1: Updates System firmware binaries for Surface Duo 1 to the latest version ever for this device as shipped by Microsoft. Addresses an issue where Audio peripherals such as mics or bluetooth speakers would be broken under Windows 10 Version 2004 or lower Enables support for the Surface Thunderbolt(TM) 4 Docking accessory Further work comitted towards WCOS enablement, nothing to share at the moment (UEFI change) Resolved an issue where the OS may crash and not boot anymore properly on Windows 11 Moment 2 and Moment 3 updates after installing the blacklotus mitigation updates. (UEFI change) Resolved an issue where Windows 10 Version 1809 and lower builds may fail to boot under the uefi environment General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Surface Duo 2: Nothing New. Surface Duo 2 is still a Proof of Concept (PoC), don't expect much. In addition, developers released ready-to-go/made dual boot images for the original and second-generation Surface Duo smartphones. If you plan to flash the device with those images, read the official release notes with details about targeted firmware versions. Swapping Android with Windows on the Surface Duo is still a complicated process, so be sure to follow the guidelines and check the list of known bugs before proceeding. Source

Microsoft is no longer supporting the original Surface Duo. The company's first-generation dual-screen smartphone has reached the end of its troublesome life, meaning those sticking to this quirky device will no longer receive software and firmware updates. Officially, at least. Microsoft announced the Surface Duo at a special event on October 2, 2019, alongside another ill-fated device, the Surface Neo. Unlike the bigger Neo and its now-dead Windows 10X operating system, the Surface Duo was powered by Android 10, which made it the only non-Windows-based Surface device. Of course, it was not software that made the Surface Duo special in the good sense. The smartphone featured an incredibly thin chassis with sturdy hinges, fantastic build quality, and two big OLED displays. Interestingly, it was so thin that the USB-C port could barely fit, eventually leading to reports of the plastic material chipping around it. Inside the 5mm-thick case, you would find a Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128 or 256GB of storage, and a split 3,577 mAh battery. The smartphone had a single front-facing 11MP camera with an LED flash, unanimously declared one of the worst cameras in modern smartphones in that price range ($1,400 and up). What you could not find inside the Surface Duo is 5G and NFC support, which contributed to the lukewarm reception. As it later turned out, the lack of 5G and NFC were not the smartphone's biggest problems. To begin with, Microsoft launched the Surface Duo almost one year after the initial announcement, delivering customers a well-built hardware full of bugs. The situation slightly improved with time, and Microsoft even released two Android upgrades, with Android 12L being the final official release. Still, Duo's monthly firmware updates would often delay and deliver disappointing updates containing nothing but Android security patches. Although you could hardly suggest the Surface Duo to a regular consumer (even with some incredibly hard-hitting discounts), the smartphone became a great toy for enthusiasts. The WOA Project makes it possible to replace Android with Windows 11, with most parts of the device working as they should. Also, there is an unofficial port of "clean" Android 13 for those preferring a mobile OS on a mobile device. The first-generation Surface Duo was a rough attempt to disrupt the mobile market with something fresh and unconventional after the end of Windows Phone (gone but not forgotten). In 2021, the second-generation Surface Duo attempted to improve the formula with faster OLED displays, better chassis, noticeably improved cameras, snappier hardware, and more. However, the software aspect remained lackluster at best. Four years after the initial announcement, the smartphone duo (get it?) is almost impossible to find. Rumors claim Microsoft is no longer producing the Surface Duo 2. Moreover, customers should not hold their breath for more platform upgrades—according to a recent report, Microsoft transferred most of the Duo team to other projects, and there are no plans to upgrade the smartphone to Android 13 or 14. The company will stop supporting the SUrface Duo 2 on October 21, 2024. The original Surface Duo is now history. It was a great idea and a nice try. It is a shame it did not work out. Source

The DuoWOA team has released a new set of Windows drivers for the first and second-generation Surface Duo. The most notable change is preliminary support for the Surface Dial, Microsoft's long-forgotten display accessory. The changelogs also include fixes for a few issues and general stability improvements. Here is what is new in Surface Duo Windows drivers version 2310.45: And here is the changelog for the Surface Duo 2 (still a Proof of Concept, so nothing extraordinary): You can download the new drivers from GitHub. For those unfamiliar, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Dial in October 2016 alongside three compatible devices: the original Surface Studio, the Surface Book, and the fourth-generation Surface Pro (it received on-display support only in 2018). The idea was to give artists and other customers a new method to control tools and functions in compatible apps by rotating or pressing the dial placed directly on the display. Microsoft seemingly gave up on the accessory since displays in the latest Surface devices no longer support the dial, and it never received a successor with new features or improvements. However, seven years after the announcement, the Surface Dial is still available on Amazon for $75.99, 25% off its original MSRP. Soon, thanks to the power of enthusiasm, you may be able to use this quirky display accessory with the Surface Duo, a device never made to work with such peripherals or run a desktop operating system. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site. Source

The original Surface Duo is now officially dead—it reached the end of its troublesome life last month. The Surface Duo 2 is still supported, and Microsoft is committed to releasing software and firmware updates for one more year. However, do not expect much from those updates. Most likely, the Surface Duo 2 will remain on the current Android 12L with no hopes of ever getting Android 13, not to mention the recently released Android 14. Fortunately, the hope is not lost. Those owning the first or second-gen Surface Duo can now download the first unofficial Android 14 ROM for their dual-screen device. Android 14 for the Surface Duo and Duo 2 comes from Thai Nguyen, a former Microsoft engineer who previously ported Android 13 to Microsoft's smartphones. The initial release is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and includes the following: AOSP base image with Google applications The option to turn off the hinge gap on the Surface Duo 2. Settings app icons from the stock Surface Duo ROM. Over-the-air updates for future build updates. Although it is great to see enthusiasts bringing new life to, let's be honest, dead smartphones, the first unofficial Android 14 ROM is raw and unpolished—the developer says users should expect "lots of bugs." Besides, unlike Android 13 for the Surface Duo lineup, Android 14 does not feature the Pixel Experience with its features and enhancements. You can download Android 14 ROM for the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 from GitHub. Remember to back up important data before flashing and prepare for bugs, instabilities, and other wonders of using unofficial early-bird software. Those not risking flashing their Surface Duo 2 with third-party ROMs can download the latest firmware update released a few weeks ago. Sadly, there is nothing new but Android security patches. Source

Surface Duo seems to be heading down the same path as Windows Phone: doomed. I remember being quite excited at the prospect of a "Surface Phone" many years ago and there were many rumors at the time. Instead, we were provided with the end of Windows Phone and with it, Microsoft leaving the mobile space. Fast forward a few years and talk of a Surface-branded mobile device resurfaced, ending up with the release of the Surface Duo. This was an Android-powered, dual-screen device with a heavy productivity focus. Once again, I found myself very excited. The Surface Duo's hardware is gorgeous. Super thin compared to the other foldables on the market and rather unique in its overall design; this was definitely a Surface and Microsoft seemed very clear in its philosophy of what it wanted the Duo to be. But this was an Android device. An operating system that didn't have a lot of the functionality that Microsoft needed to make this work, so they had to come up with it themselves. This made it extremely buggy and for a device that was so expensive it didn't go down well in many circles. One thing users of Microsoft products often enjoy though is being part of that development process. being able to see that vision that they also share come to fruition. And support them they did, but did Microsoft care? Surface Duo agnosticism It feels like we're going down an all too familiar path (Image credit: Future) The small Surface Duo team slowly worked away on the software to get it to a state where it was just about fit for purpose. They even released the Surface Duo 2, taking the hardware to new heights whilst introducing a proper rear camera setup. The latter received a mixed reception from original Surface Duo users in many cases, but the hardware was definitely a huge improvement. The software issues, whilst not as serious, were still plentiful and much scorn was sent Microsoft's way in reviews and other coverage. Even though all of this hardware was hugely impressive to me, and I really wanted to get one, I never did. There was just that doubt at the back of my mind telling me to remember Microsoft's track record with Windows Phone, as well as other things such as the Microsoft Band and even Mixer. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I followed the development and lifespan of Surface Duo aggressively, though. I lived vicariously through a number of friends who had the Duos up until the present time, where we quite possibly find ourselves in that all too familiar graveyard of products that met their end earlier than we'd hoped. Huawei devices getting Bing AI functionality in SwiftKey whilst MIA on Surface Duo (Image credit: Windows Central) I could be entirely wrong of course and there are still rumors of a Surface Duo 3 appearing next year with a fully foldable screen, not a dual screen as the line has touted thus far. But then why are the Surface Duo and Duo 2 not getting the features that they really should have by now? Surface Duo abandoned SwiftKey has the new Bing AI features now basically everywhere except Microsoft's own hardware. (Image credit: Windows Central) The support for the Surface Duo and its sibling has just been abysmal. Take SwiftKey for example, which is the default keyboard for the Surface Duo. Bing AI in SwiftKey is still completely missing. I've been using this on my various Android phones for some time now and assumed it would be on Surface Duo, but alas it is not. In what seems like straight-up disrespect towards the Duo, the Bing AI features are actually available for Huawei phones. Yes Huawei, who haven't been able to make phones running the Google Play Store for years. Old Huawei phones are being prioritised over Surface Duo, which frankly beggars belief. I'm not sure people would be as receptive to the Duo 3 when they're not feeling valued as a customer. And you may say well so what, Microsoft are clearly just prioritising OEMs based on the number of phones they have is use and clearly not that many people have a Surface Duo. But that's the problem right there; they did exactly the same thing during the Windows Phone days. I remember features for the range of Office apps being rolled out on Android and iOS first because Microsoft wanted to hit the largest number of users possible, especially since many of them were paying customers. But then so were Windows Phone users too. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. We were treated like lower grade customers by the company we were buying hardware from, and this only increased in occurrence as time went on. This feels exactly like what is happening with the Surface Duo line. It doesn't seem quite as bad because of course for the most part it's getting app updates along with the rest of the Android ecosystem and still receiving Android security patches. It's the inherent mistreatment by Microsoft towards its own mobile hardware efforts that really stings, especially for those paying nearly $1500 at launch and who want to see the company succeed. What the Xbox Game Pass app is supposed to look like when it works (Image credit: Windows Central) Another app Surface Duo users like to use is the Xbox Game Pass app. This brought an excellent use of both screens for cloud gaming that you simply could not do on a foldable from another brand. There have however been times where the app just wouldn't work on Duo due to poor updates and right now seems to be another one of those times, as the Xbox Game Pass app isn't working on Duo once more. This ties into another story I just covered with the Microsoft Launcher being broken after the latest update for many users but being especially problematic for Surface Duo users who upon being hit with the error had to reset the launcher and customise it all again. I've had this happen on phones with one screen let alone two. It's not fun having to set up all of your preferences and home screen again. Things like this add to the frustration that users are not being taken seriously and I understand this frustration entirely. The mobile market needs a third player (Image credit: Windows Central) I like many others really want Microsoft to be a player in the mobile space. We NEED more players, especially in the US market. This was Microsoft's opportunity to build hardware without its hands tied behind its back, as a competitor in the Android ecosystem, rather than a steward of the Windows OEM ecosystem. In its recent court cases with the FTC over Xbox's plan to buy Activision-Blizzard, Microsoft even called out the duopoly between Apple and Google as a major barrier for developers of cloud gaming platforms. Microsoft has discussed building its own mobile gaming store, too. Will it have the same amount of support as the Surface Duo? We need more mobile players who are willing to try things that are totally out of the norm, leading to breakthrough tech. I was all in with Windows Phone, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy into Surface Duo and it seems like I made the right decision. With Microsoft's current actions causing so much ill will once again, everyone else may soon be tapped out too. Source

Earlier this month, Gustave Monce (@gus33000 on Twitter) released a new set of drivers for the original Surface Duo running Windows 11. The update brought much-improved Surface Pen support alongside other quality-of-life improvements. One week later, another release landed with re-introduced Windows 10 support and a massive list of fixes. Here are the new features in DuoWOA drivers version 2303.83: Windows 10 18362/18363 is bootable again (more details below in fixed issues). Currently, it is only bootable using UEFI variants with Secure Boot disabled. This should help users get the value needed to configure calling functionality. Please note calling functionality may work but because of broken audio speaker support currently, you will not ear anything at all through the phone. Including with external audio sources. Battery Charging is now an optional component. The reasoning behind this is including it from clean installations is going to lead to a broken install in 100% of all cases. Further more, having this functionality currently will lead to unstability during sleep that will cause the device to randomly reboot. USB Host is not forced anymore, this means OTG dongles requiring external power from the device will once again be misdetected. The reasoning behind this is the "fix" for this particular issue broke more than it helped with. Introduces the USB NCM Function driver, allowing a shared network connection via USB FN from Surface Duo to the computer it is connected to. This is part of an ongoing work designed to enable local deployment of applications from Visual Studio to the device. This is not yet finished. And here is the list of fixed bugs: Addresses an issue where Microphones were not functional anymore with recent driver updates Addresses an issue where clean installations would often result in a bugcheck (BAD_IMAGE_BOUNDS_CHECK) Addresses an issue where plug detection was hardcoded to inserted, leading to issues with usb. Addresses an issue where Windows 10 18362/18363 was not bootable anymore Addresses an issue where the sensor driver would not expose the goemagnetic sensor correctly Addresses an issue where the Surface Display Configuration service would fail to start on downlevel versions of Windows Addresses an issue where the Audio driver would not work correctly anymore under Windows 10 18362/18363 Addresses an issue where the sTPM driver would not function correctly under Windows 10 18362/18363 and would prevent a successful boot of the operating system. TPM still remains broken under that operating system and will get fully fixed, at a later time. Addresses an issue where the USB FN/Gadget configuration was outdated for modern versions of Windows Addresses an issue where the device would fail during sleep, eventually leading to a spontaneous reboot due to an issue in CPU Core 0 sleep power management Addresses an issue where the device would fail during sleep, eventually leading to a spontaneous reboot due to an issue with battery management Addresses an issue where the reported driver stack version was not correct for the past few releases Addresses multiple issues preventing correct handling of USB TypeC PHY notification events from the device PMIC. In other words a few USB C detection issues should now be resolved in this release. Addresses an issue where the display name of the SAR device driver was malformed. Addresses an issue where DRP USB role was not available anymore Addresses an issue where a few UMDF drivers, notably, the AT&T remote shutdown device, the Connection Security Manager, the Surface Firmware updater were not loading correctly anymore under Windows 10 Installing Windows 10 or 11 on the original Surface Duo remains a complicated and highly technical process, so proceed with caution and read the provided guides carefully (find them at the GitHub link below). Besides, there are several notable limitations and known issues, such as unstable battery charging, broken audio, wonky brightness controls, and many more. You can find the list of confirmed bugs on GitHub. New Surface Duo with Windows drivers bring Windows 10 support and tons of improvements

Microsoft is now pushing the September 2021 update to the Surface Duo smartphone, taking the build number 2021.817.35(North America), 2021.817.37 (Europe). The update adds no new features, as you’d expect from a monthly security update. The update weighs in at 76.18 MB and contains the September 2021 Android security update. You can read the official changelog below. Changelog Software version Update info 2021.817.35 (North America) 2021.817.37 (Europe) This update: Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – September 2021. It’s worth noting that the Surface Duo is yet to get the Android 11 update. What’s even worse is that Microsoft didn’t share anything about the availability of Android 11 for the Surface Duo smartphone. Meanwhile, Surface Duo users can wait for the update to be pushed out to them, or they can download it by Checking for Updates in the System Update section of the Settings app. Surface Duo starts getting September 2021 update

Today Microsoft released their monthly update for the Surface Duo, taking it to build 2021.721.41 (North America), 2021.721.43 (Europe) and 2021.721.42 (AT&T Locked Device). The update weighs in at 40.22 MB and contains the August 2021 Android security update. The official changelog is now available and reads: This update: Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – August 2021. Some Surface Duo users have expressed disappointment that the Android 11 update has not yet been delivered to the device, suggesting Microsoft put more resources towards this. Surface Duo users can wait for the update to be pushed out to them or download it by Checking for Updates in the System Update section of the Settings app. via Reddit Microsoft release August 2021 Update for Surface Duo (changelog)

Last week, Microsoft rolled out the Android March 2022 security patches to Surface Duo 2. And now, the software company is making it available for the first-generation Surface Duo devices. If you haven’t received the update yet, you can manually check whether you received it on your device by going to the Settings. It is worth noting that the update is currently rolling out to the unlocked variants of the Surface Duo. For those who already received the update on their unlocked Duo devices, you can share your experience with the update in the comments section. Surface Duo gets March 2022 security patches with the latest update

In 2019, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Duo, a dual-screen Android smartphone, alongside the Surface Neo, its bigger sibling with Windows. Unfortunately, the latter bit the dust and never materialized. However, if you wanted a sleek dual-screen device from Microsoft with Windows inside, there is good news: you can now dual-boot Windows and Android on the original Surface Duo. Today, Gustave Monce (@gus33000) published the early results of their efforts to bring Windows to the Surface Duo. If you own the 128GB variant of the first-gen Surface Duo, you can try installing Windows on ARM alongside the original Android (the UEFI also allows booting Linux). A little spoiler: the result will be barely usable. We've made available an early preview of the work I've done on Surface Duo. It's still early, not much works, but you can try it as early as today if you want to. Installing Windows on the Surface Duo is not the easiest procedure, so you need to be prepared for the unexpected and ready for troubleshooting. Still, developers took care to provide an easy-to-understand guide with detailed steps. As usual for such a project, make sure to backup all mission-critical data before proceeding. Although the idea of running Windows on the Surface Duo sounds exciting, the project is currently in its infancy, which means almost nothing works. The system boots, but touch, network, cellular, cameras, and other essential hardware bits and pieces do not work. In other words, you cannot use the Surface Duo with Windows as your daily driver. Keep those limitations in mind before experimenting with your smartphone. The project is compatible with the first-gen Surface Duo 128 GB (unlocked and AT&T) running Android 10 and 11. You can also try installing Windows on the 256 GB variant, but the developer says they currently target only 128 GB models. Finally, it is worth noting that you cannot use the guide to install Windows on the second-gen Surface Duo. That smartphone is not supported. You can find everything you need to install Windows 11 on the Surface Duo here. You can now dual-boot Windows 11 and Android on the original Surface Duo

Microsoft Surface Duo should be the first foldable and large-screen device to get Android 12L, indicated Google. The search giant also stressed that the new iteration is not a “fork” of the original Android OS. In a rather short blog post, Andrei Popescu, VP of Engineering for Android, confirmed that Microsoft Surface Duo will get Android 12L "later this year". The foldable device recently became eligible for Android 11. Although the development of Android 12L for Surface Duo seems to be going quickly, Google hasn’t committed to a concrete roadmap yet. Android 12L seems to be the first iteration of Android since Honeycomb that has been intentionally optimized for large-screen devices such as tablets as well as foldable devices. However, Popescu has categorically noted that Android 12L is not a fork or another parallel version: Starting later this year, we'll bring 12L to your favorite tablets and foldables with planned updates from Samsung, Lenovo and Microsoft. And we'll continue to build more features and functionalities to help you make the most of your larger screen devices in Android 13 and beyond. It basically means Android 12L merely focuses on new form factors. Its core features will be baked into Android 13 and beyond. Google has previously demonstrated how Android 12L users can "drag-and-drop any app from the taskbar to enter split-screen mode so you can do two things at once". Last year, the company had revealed how the dual-paned notification screen also offers quick controls on one side and notifications on the other. Microsoft Surface Duo arrived in late 2019 with Android 10. After waiting for more than two years, users started receiving Android 11. Moving ahead, it seems Microsoft will skip Android 12 development and deployment for Surface Duo/Surface Duo 2, and instead, jump straight to Android 12L. It is interesting to note that Microsoft Launcher already offers several of the functions and UI elements that Android 12L promises. However, there’s a lot more to the OS. The APIs that Google will offer for Android 12L should help developers optimize their apps for foldables, dual-screen devices, and tablets. Microsoft Surface Duo will get Android 12L confirms Google, and it's not a fork

Gustave Monce, the creator of the DuoWOA Project, has released a new set of drivers for the first and second-gen Surface Duo smartphones. Those drivers are necessary to befriend the mobile hardware with a desktop operating system and turn Microsoft's dual-screen smartphones into small Windows PCs with two displays. Version 2212.12 brings charging support, improved brightness control, compatibility with more sensors, and various fixes. Here is what is new for the original Surface Duo: Charging finally works under Windows! This is a first version of the charging stack, as a result a few things are currently limited. The charging input is limited to low current for safety measures while work is ongoing. Adds a driver for the Qualcomm SMB1380 Secondary Charger. Adds a driver for the Qualcomm PM8150B Fuel Gauge and Primary Charger. Enables Content Adaptive Brightness Level. Adds support for Duo's Pedometer Sensor. Adds support for Duo's Light Fusion Sensor. The new Tablet Posture experience is now enabled for Surface Duo by default. Expect a more tablet optimized taskbar, bigger hit targets in Microsoft Edge/File Explorer, and more. Addresses a few issues with duplicated sensors. Enables smooth brightness control for both panels. Addresses an issue preventing USB Function Mode from working. This issue mainly affected USB File Transfers using a computer. Updates Surface Duo firmware to the latest Android OTA release of November Long forgotten bug fixes & enhancements. Call provisioning is work in progress, if calls do not work for you at the moment, you may need to provision the call functionality manually. (Same as on Lumia 950s). And now to the Surface Duo 2, which currently features much more limited Windows support compared to its predecessor: Addresses an issue preventing USB Function Mode from working. This issue mainly affected USB File Transfers using a computer. Updates Surface Duo 2 firmware to the latest Android OTA release of November. Call provisioning is work in progress, if calls do not work for you at the moment, you may need to provision the call functionality manually. (Same as on Lumia 950s). It is worth noting that getting Surface Duo's sensors to work under new drivers on Windows 11 requires sensor calibration (follow the steps published on GitHub) and updating the UEFI to version 2212.12 or higher. Also, mind the following known issues: Automatic Orientation only works for the left panel, using the right panel orientation sensor. USB Dongles that are not externally powered may not currently work. USB C Billboard devices will not currently work. External Display Stream support will not currently work. Additional information provided by the posture sensor is currently not available for. public consumption, this includes peek events. Digitizers will not react to the device being folded over. Displays will not react to the device being folded over most of the time. Physical device data is incorrect. Digitizers aren't calibrated correctly. You can track the progress of the project on GitHub, where Gustave has published all the features working and not. Swapping Android with Windows on Surface Duo smartphones is a complicated process, so we recommend waiting for more user-friendly methods and guides if you cannot afford to brick your dual-screen smartphone. Luckily, the original Surface Duo is available for only $314, and you might want to consider buying one to see how well the smartphone runs Windows 11. Our stories may contain affiliate links for products/apps where Neowin is paid an affiliate fee if you complete a purchase via those links. New drivers for Surface Duo on Windows add charging, new sensors support, and more

Gustave Monce, the creator of the WoA Project, released a new set of drivers that allow running Windows 10 and 11 on the first-gen Surface Duo. The latest release has introduced wireless connection support, effectively enabling Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS, and eSIM. Here is the changelog for version 2207.32, which is now available for download from GitHub: Wi-Fi is now functional (2.5Ghz/5Ghz). Mac Address retrieval is not yet here, however. Cellular Data is now functional (LTEA/LTE/HSDPA+/HSDPA/EDGE/GPRS). Cellular Texts are now functional. Use the Chat application to send and get messages. Calls, VoLTE, RCS, and more are coming soon in a later release. eSIM support is now enabled in this release. GPS is now functional. Although the project has received multiple improvements and enhancements, it is still far from being ready to substitute the stock Android for daily use. In addition to missing calls support, you get a non-functioning camera, graphical rendering issues, problems with automatic orientation, broken USB dongles, and other bugs. For now, Windows for the original Surface Duo remains a fun experiment for those having a spare Surface Duo. Also, it is a way to get a taste of the now-dead Surface Neo, a device that Microsoft does not plan to resurrect any time soon. If you prefer to use your Surface Duo with its original OS, you may want to check out the latest improvements and enhancements Microsoft released in the July 2022 firmware update. Surface Duo with Windows 11 gets working Wi-Fi, Cellular, eSIM, and GPS

Several days ago, a new report revealed details about the upcoming update for Microsoft's dual-screen smartphones. The company is about to update its Surface Duo devices with Android 12L, and the operating system will introduce a redesigned UI resembling design pieces from Windows 11. If you are curious to see how Microsoft envisions a child of Windows 11 and Android 12L, here is your first sneak peek. Windows Central has published the first look at the upcoming Android 12L update for the original and second-gen Surface Duo. It reveals Windows 11-like control and notification center will blurred backgrounds and new buttons, and a set of icons for the Settings app pulled from the Microsoft's operating system. Photos also reveal additional customization settings, such as color palette and accent colors, plus there is a new feed section with widgets similar to those in Windows 11. Microsoft wants to make its Surface smartphones look as similar as possible to Windows 11 to provide a seamless experience, and, at the first glance, it seems that the company has done a decent job. We do not know when Microsoft plans to drop Android 12L. It only says that the update will start rolling out "later this year." Do you like the upcoming UI redesign for the Surface Duo and Duo 2? Source: Windows Central Photos reveal Windows 11-like Android 12L update for Surface Duo

Those owning the original Surface Duo and its second generation can download a new update. Microsoft has released the January 2023 update for its dual-screen smartphones, bringing customers monthly fixes and security improvements. Unfortunately, this month's release does not contain new features or device-specific fixes. What is new in January 2023 firmware update for Surface Duo? According to Microsoft, the latest firmware update for the duo of Surface Duo smartphones "addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin" for January 2023. Surface Duo Surface Duo 2 Software Version 2022.821.13 2022.821.27 Update Info Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – January 2023. Extra Steps There are no additional steps to perform to install or after installing the update. Known Bugs No known bugs in these updates. The original Surface Duo with 128GB of storage is currently available for $314, and the 256GB variant can be yours for $419. As for the Surface Duo 2, the smartphone is out of stock in most marketplaces, including the Microsoft Store. You can grab one on Amazon for a whopping $1,799 (128GB). The Surface Duo 2 went out of stock amid rumors of Microsoft ditching the dual-screen smartphone design in favor of the standard single-screen variant with a flexible display. There are also reports about the company working on a regular slab-like smartphone under the Surface brand. Surface Duo smartphones are not the best by any means, but the form factor makes them unique and rare devices that also happen to be capable of running Windows 11. Our stories may contain affiliate links for products/apps where Neowin is paid an affiliate fee if you complete a purchase via those links. Surface Duo and Duo 2 offered January 2023 firmware update

Last month, developers who made it possible to install Windows 11 on the Surface Duo released the WOA Device Manager app, a new program that makes it easier to swap Android with Windows 11 on Microsoft's ill-fated dual-screen smartphones. Now, the app is available for free in the Microsoft Store, giving enthusiasts an easier and more convenient method to get the application for tinkering with the Surface Duo and the Surface Duo 2. The WOA Device Manager provides assistance with installing, updating, and managing Windows on Android smartphones. It works with Microsoft's Android smartphone duo, allowing you to perform full-flash updates (FFU), service drivers, boot into different modes, unlock the bootloader and more. It also has a user-friendly interface that aligns with Windows 11's design principles. Although replacing Android with Windows 11 on the Surface Duo is now easier, the process is still not for the faint of heart. If you are willing to risk it and try something new on your dual-screen Android smartphone from Microsoft, remember to back everything up before proceeding. In case you missed it, the WOA Device Manager app recently received an update with the following improvements: You can track the progress of the project's development in its Telegram channel. The WOA Device Manager app is available in the Microsoft Store via this link. Alternatively, get it from GitHub. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of June): 2,839 news posts

While Microsoft is still to get Android 11 out for the Surface Duo 1 (and Android 12 for the Surface Duo 2) Microsoft is reportedly already working on Android 12L for both handsets. According to reports from the WC, Microsoft is not in fact planning to roll out Android 12 to either handsets, but will skip directly to Android 12L, which has special adaptations for large handsets. According to Google: “On screens with more than 600 dp, for example, the notification screen, the lock screen and other system interfaces use a new two-column layout to make the most of the screen space. Multitasking is also more powerful and more intuitive “ The update is currently in testing with Google, and Microsoft is also taking part in the development. The update will reportedly roll out faster than Android 11, and will serve as a boost for the Surface Duo 2, which is not being replaced with a Duo 3 until at least 2023. via Deskmodder Report: Microsoft working on Android 12L update for the Surface Duo 1 and 2

In September Microsoft promised to deliver Android 11 to the Surface Duo, telling the Verge: “We remain committed to providing updates to Surface Duo, and we’re working to bring Android 11 to existing customers before the end of this year.” Long-suffering Surface Duo owners, who by all accounts have purchased an experimental device, have been expecting Microsoft to deliver on the commitment and deliver Android 11 by the end of 2021 and have now been officially disappointed. According to Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino on the Windows Central podcast, Microsoft is blaming Google. The company has reportedly been working internally on the Android 11 update for some time, but claim that the update is being held up for certification at Google. The fact that both companies are on holiday now means that the update is now likely delayed to January 2022. Microsoft promised 3 years of updates for the Surface Duo, meaning we can expect updates until September 2023, but with the company being perennially a version behind when it comes to OS updates that promise is currently not amounting to much. At the same time Samsung has managed to push out Android 12 to 2019 handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10 (and of course the original Samsung Galaxy Fold), suggesting when it comes to support, Surface Duo users have bet on the wrong company’s folding phone efforts. Microsoft has officially failed in its efforts to deliver Android 11 to the original Surface Duo Android 11

Microsoft is now pushing the October 2021 update to the Surface Duo smartphone, taking the build number 2021.913.25 (North America), 2021.913.26 (Europe) and 2021.913.27 (AT&T Locked Device). The update adds no new features, as you’d expect from a monthly security update. The update weighs in at 51 MB and contains the October 2021 Android security update. You can read the official changelog below. Changelog Software version Update info 2021.913.25 (North America) 2021.913.26 (Europe) 2021.913.27 (AT&T Locked Device) Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – October 2021 Meanwhile, Surface Duo users can wait for the update to be pushed out to them, or they can download it by Checking for Updates in the System Update section of the Settings app. It’s worth noting that the Surface Duo is yet to get the Android 11 update but Microsoft has promised to deliver it some time this year. Surface Duo starts getting October 2021 update

Ambitions unrealized. I was in the room on Oct 2nd, 2019, in New York, when Microsoft's Chief Product Officer Panos Panay, like a magician pulling matter from an immaterial plane, revealed what many Microsoft enthusiasts and Window Phone fanshad long dreamt would manifest from the combined narrative of our hopes, rumors, informed analysis and leaks. Microsoft's latest pocketable mobile device, the Surface Duo 2, was introduced to a room full of Microsoft fans and tech media. Indeed, Microsoft made the Surface Duo (and its much-improved successor) a fantastic product but also made some stupid moves when bringing what was to be a category-defining device to market. The impossibly thin, alluringly sleek, beautiful piece of dual-screen, glass-covered tech with a 360-degree hinge was finally here. The Duo was the successor, or evolution – of Microsofts previous mobile devices – Windows Phones. Many fans had fallen in love with Windows Phones because of their user-focused platform, Live Tile UI, and Microsoft's productivity-focused positioning versus the grid-of-apps focus of the competition. Despite the passion of this minuscule minority of smartphone users, however, Microsoft's missteps, poor timing, and shameful commitment, along with external market forces, led to Windows Phone's death. Yet, despite the demise of Redmond's smartphone efforts, fans hoped that Microsoft's mobile strategy would ultimately yield the productivity-focused, category-defining mobile device the company was rumored to be working on. We were also optimistic Microsoft would strive to encourage OEM partners to follow. Category-defining vision, historic category-defining success We did not pin our hopes on the ether either. In 2016, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described Microsoft's then-developing Duo as the "ultimate mobile device." He inspired us further by claiming the device would be positioned "beyond the curve" of the smartphone space. It would do more via hardware flexibility, software adaptability, cloud computing, and integration with Microsoft 365 than the slate-shaped iPhones and Android phones that saturated the even then plateauing smartphone market. Pragmatic evidence that proved Microsoft, if committed, could pull it off also inspired us. The company had succeeded (after two failed attempts and negative press) in establishing an industry-wide 2-in-1 PC category with Surface Pro (that integrates productivity, software and hardware flexibility, touch, inking, and leisure), which competitors like Apple who once mocked it, now embrace. So, despite the disheartening record of abandoned products left in Microsoft's wake, the Surface Duo inspired hope that Redmond was all in with its dual-screen productivity-focused mobile device vision. But, with its reported abandonment of two displays for version three in favor of a single folding display, a 180- versus 360-degree hinge, and its waning support of Surface Duo, Microsoft has proven its reliability in disappointing supporters. Staking new mobile ground beyond smartphones…or not Android as the OS of choice rather than a pared-down version of Windows was the first disappointment the Duo delivered to hardcore Windows Phone fans. Still, it was here, there was a partnership with Google to make Android at home, efficient and flexible on this dual-screen device, and Microsoft's dreaded mobile app gap was finally bridged. OS choice aside, the fundamental design and use cases for the inordinately thin pocketable productivity-focused dual-screen Surface that could take different postures, supports inking, run Microsoft's and all Android apps, and makes phone calls was a unique play by Microsoft in the mobile space that overlapped but more importantly extended beyond the smartphone space. This point of overlapping but extending into the mobile space beyond the smartphone space was important for consumers, tech reviewers, and OEM partners to understand. Still, Microsoft did a horrible job communicating it. The company's initial messaging differentiating the Duo from smartphones was evident. However, against stubborn market headwinds that made it difficult for many to conceptualize a productivity-focused pocketable device that could make calls being anything but a phone, Microsoft acquiesced, and the messaging collapsed. You say phone, Surface Duo creator says “Surface” In addition to these statements, as of July 15th, 2023, the Surface Duo 2 is listed on the Microsoft website under the "Dual Screen" submenu of the "Computers" category. In essence, Microsoft categorizes the Duo as a dual-screen computer. Interesting, huh? (Image credit: Jason Ward - Windows Central) Notably, when Surface Creator Panos Panay introduced the category-defining Surface Duo, he did not call it a phone. Indeed, as I observed the presentation with a clear view of the teleprompter from my seat, the carefully scripted presentation never included the word phone. The absence of the word phone from the script precludes any chance that Panay's omission of the word was an unintentional oversight. He even seemed to anticipate how the device would be perceived and raised this preemptive defense: "I want to be super clear about this, you're going to talk about this as a phone and I get that. And you're going to talk about it as a communication device and it does both of those things incredibly well, for sure. For sure, you can text, you can write, you can do what you want. But make no mistake this product is a Surface." This echoes, Nadella's own words, "I didn't come at [the Duo] from 'Let's recommit to phones' or go back in time and enter the same market that we quote-unquote 'exited,'" says Nadella. "We're looking at what's next." Surface Duo’s dubious position (Image credit: Microsoft) There has been and still may be a debate about what the Surface Duo is and isn't. This debate manifests Microsoft's core problem with Duo's positioning and marketing. Some swear it is a phone; some assert it is not. Some think of it as something somewhere in between, labeling it nebulously "more than a phone." If Microsoft had done its job correctly, this debate likely wouldn't exist to any meaningful degree. Microsoft made the Duo, and it is responsible for definitively defining to the masses what it is, what it does, what the company believes it will do for a user, or what users should do with it. Sadly, I've since seen Microsoft employees refer to the Duo as a smartphone despite Panay's and Nadella's initial "beyond the curve" not-a-phone allusions and how it's currently and conflictingly still categorized as a dual-screen computer on the company's website. Talk about confusing. Furthermore, in a 2021 Unbox Therapy interview, even Panay acknowledges how he gets into trouble because he has answered this question differently at different times. In fact, in response to the hosts' inquiry about what the Duo is, Panay begins his response: "I look at it as a Surface. And that's my mind; that's not even a trick. That's not a marketing tool." He continues, "This is Surface; it's a product that's going to adapt to what you need to do - period." Within the context of explaining the Duo's adaptability, to become what a user needs and its ability to replace one's phone, Panay continues: "This is my phone now, I don't have a problem saying [that]. That's where I kind of get in trouble; like you just said it wasn't a phone. I promise you, for many, it will be their phone; for others, it'll be a replacement for their tablet." Not really a phone, not really a tablet. (Image credit: Windows Central) I note that even in this discourse, Panay does not assert the company's categorizing of the Duo as a phone or even a tablet. He stresses its adaptability to become whatever the user needs it to be. The fact that he calls it first a Surface, followed by a description of its context-conforming capabilities, concluding with stating that for some it would be a phone and others a tablet, while never definitively (for many) answering what the Duo is, predictably leaves some filling in the blanks for themselves. To be fair, it is challenging to name a new category for a category-defining "ultimate mobile device" that tries to do it all. But the daring use of a new word, or an old word unapologetically and consistently used in a new way (Surface perhaps), was needed for Microsoft to define and stake a claim in the new mobile category it hoped to pioneer with the Duo. That’s what Apple would have done. Ambition begone let’s make a smartphone (Image credit: Microsoft) Microsoft's inconsistencies confused the market, which likely helped deliver a potentially fatal blow to its hopes of establishing a new category of dual-screen productivity-focused mobile devices. In fact, with Surface Duo 3, Microsoft is reportedly abandoning the dual screen, 360-degree hinge form factor, which allows for multiple postures, which were core to Microsoft's productivity vision for the Duo. Microsoft will instead pursue a single folding display with a less versatile 180-degree hinge. It seems Redmond is ceding ground from the "beyond the curve" portion of the mobile space in which it hoped to set its stakes and is instead setting up camp firmly in the smartphone market Nadella asserted he was not recommitting to with the Duo. Frankly, with single-display folding devices Samsung and others dominate mindshare in the smartphone portion of the still infantile yet broader folding mobile device space. Sadly, rather than remaining committed to its ambitious dual-screen productivity mobile device vision with the third iteration of the Duo, Microsoft is following the smartphone market. Surface Duo 3 and the unambitious path of least resistance (Image credit: Microsoft) Microsoft was either too lazy or their ability to execute too incoherent to educate consumers, tech journalists, and OEM partners of the Duo's merits, positioning, and purpose. Perhaps explaining how two displays keep a user's mind "in the flow, per Panay, how apps interact across two screens, how multitasking is optimized using two displays, how the device has different postures using its 360-degree hinge, how digital journaling across the broad displays and more makes the Duo a category-defining productivity powerhouse. I suppose it was easier to make it a smartphone the third time because everyone understands smartphones, even fancy, expensive cutting-edge folding display smartphones. There's little to explain –and unlike the Duo, there is no significant learning curve. They're smartphones that get bigger when you unfold them. Simple. Conversely, Panay explained the Duo like this, "To be clear, there's a learning curve—it's new." But he added, "I don't think you'll be able to trade it in once you get productive on this product. And that, I think, is how a category is established." Panay is right. My Surface Duo 2 is hard to put down, and going back to a single-screen device is almost unthinkable – though perhaps inevitable as Microsoft ends Duo support. I wish Microsoft had done its part to help the market through that learning curve before pivoting to a less ambitious, potentially less productive, and in my opinion, more mundane mobile vision. What Microsoft should do Lenovo's Yoga Book 9i is a stunning example of a dual-screen Windows device. (Image credit: Future) The Surface Duo entered the market plagued with frustratingly buggy software. Microsoft's release of a costly device with such imperfect software made many users, reviewers, and perhaps OEM partners question Microsoft's seriousness about the category. Still, the Surface PC line had a tough beginning, but Microsoft was committed and educated the market on the merits of 2-in-1s. The company convinced OEM partners it was serious with its reference device positioning of the Surface Pro as it relentlessly pushed through two failures and substantial financial losses. Through commitment, industry education, and OEM support, a new category of 2-in-1s was born. Microsoft should push through the initial failures of gen 1 and 2 of the Duo and aggressively stir consumer interest, educate the market, convince OEM partners the company is serious, and remain committed to the vision of the Duo with dual-screens, a 360-degree hinge and a productivity focus that encompasses but extends beyond the smartphone space. Will users immediately ditch their Android phones and iPhones? Nope. But Microsoft may succeed in educating the market that there is another way to "do mobile." Microsoft may convince OEMs it is serious, and, over time, these partners may use the Duo as a reference device for their takes on the new category and provide diversity and options across price points. I know Microsoft has no OS to license here. Still, it does have a play in leading a new category of mobile computing, with dynamic hardware, flexible Android, and evolving ways to integrate AI, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Launcher in creative and powerful ways on a dual display productivity-focused Android device that makes calls. Interestingly Lenovo's Yoga Book 9i dual-screen PC (a better Surface Neo), though a laptop, demonstrates some of the benefits and flexibility of dual-screen computing. The device has aroused a lot of interest and much excitement. Given the positive response to this dual-screen laptop, Microsoft may be exiting the dual-screen model too soon with the Surface Duo. I'm a Rocky fan. And one of the most inspiring lines in that movie that encourages pressing forward despite how beat up one may be is, "One more round." Microsoft, keep the Surface Duo's dual-screen approach in the fight for one more round. Source

The DuoWOA (Duo Windows on ARM) project is quickly approaching a significant milestone. According to the developer, customers curious and brave enough to swap Android for Windows 11 will soon be able to keep two operating systems in dual-boot mode. Gustave Monce, who made it possible to turn the Surface Duo into a Surface Neo "mini," has revealed details about the latest DuoWOA developments on their Twitter account. According to the developer, most people interested in the project want three notable things addressed before they pull the trigger on installing Windows 11 on the first or second-gen Surface Duo. Those things include the ability to boot Windows without an extra device, dual-boot Android and Windows, and lock back the bootloader. All three items will be available to customers once Gustave finishes the necessary updates and documentation. Users will be able to select Android or Windows on boot by having the device closed or open upon turning it on. This month's update will also bring other features and restore previously broken apps, such as McDonald's, Netflix, and banking applications. Speaking of other Surface Duo news, a new report recently emerged with details about the next generation of Microsoft's Android smartphone. Rumors claim Microsoft has scrapped its plans to release another dual-screen smartphone in favor of a more "traditional" one with a single foldable display. Besides, Microsoft is reportedly working on a conventional slab-like phone under the Surface brand. Those wanting to snag the Surface Duo should act fast and get the device for $314.99 while the supply last. Unfortunately, the Surface Duo 2 is nowhere to be found, including on Microsoft's website. Our stories may contain affiliate links for products/apps where Neowin is paid an affiliate fee if you complete a purchase via those links. You will soon be able to dual-boot Windows and Android on Surface Duo

Microsoft is reportedly developing a new Surface Duo device that is far from the looks of the current Duos. According to a report, instead of a traditional double-display screen, the Redmond company is now pushing for one foldable internal display with an external cover screen. And while this plan sounds good as the gap splitting the screen is now removed, it now blurs the original concept of Duo devices that makes them “Duo.” (via Windows Central) This revelation is far from the previous rumors claiming that the next Duo will have a 360-degree hinge, allowing the device to be folded to make the internal screens external. According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, the next Duo will have a 180-degree hinge, though it will get an additional screen to make the external display possible. And although the flawless, gapless screen now makes the name “Duo” questionable for this new device, sources said that the handheld is still treated as the third-generation of Duo internally. The report added that the change in the display of the next Duo came after the “original” finalized plan for Surface Duo 3 was discarded. In the scrapped design described, Duo 3 sounded nothing significantly different from the present Duos. It was supposed to get bigger edge-to-edge screens and other improvements and was set to ship by the end of 2023. However, the team shifted the plan to pursue a “true” foldable design, which changed everything. This includes the shipping window for the device, which sources said is still unclear. On the other hand, while this is big news for Duo fans everywhere, the screen concept is nothing new. As Bowden notes in the report, the next Duo can be compared to the present foldable devices currently available in the market: the Vivo X Fold and Honor Magic Vs. Despite this, Microsoft seems determined to make its Android hardware products stand out from its competitors. In the report, sources added that there is an internal software effort called “Perfect Together” aimed at creating an ecosystem that will produce a smoother link between Windows computers and Microsoft Android devices similar to Apple’s iPhone and Mac. Apparently, the plan to make this Apple-like ecosystem between PCs and phones could be hard to achieve with limited options for the latter. With this, the report added that Microsoft is also working on expanding its Android products in different form factors, including a conventional slab design. This is nothing huge since there are already a lot of one-screen smartphone choices out there, but the report said it would be Microsoft’s new strategy to uplift the name of Duos and make them an “enthusiast product.” What are your thoughts about this? Will this new design help boost the charm of the next Surface Duo? Most of all, will this new ‘strategy’ work for Microsoft’s Android efforts? Third-generation Duo: no gaps in screen, external display, and looks nothing like ‘Duo’