HP is working on a new, bigger Lap Dock for Windows 10 Mobile Continuum

I'm old enough to remember that Microsoft is in this terrible position because their focus on the enterprise market didn't worked. People didn't wanted a "PC in their pocket", they wanted something new, something "smarter". What has changed now that should convince us that this time is different? Even if Continuum may got enough interest in the enterprise market, the UWP app situation is in danger if there is no interest from average users. Who will adopt their app for a small screen (mobile) when there are not enough users? It doesn't matter if a possible "Surface Phone" will run Windows 10 Mobile, or Windows 10 on ARM or even Pro. The apps are the same. If there is no developer support, then the hardware doesn't matter much.

Well, I think you kind of said it. This time is different, because the times are different. I remember the time frame that you refer to. However, the average consumer wasn't involved then. Windows on a mobile device was clunky and the OC was not optimized for such devices. Given how things have and are changing, i would say that this would be the way, considering Google is making efforts to the very same thing. Although, i do agree with one thing, Google has the apps, but will they be able to put everything together remains to be a whole other topic. But, only time will tell where this will go.

Well, desktop apps aren't optimized for the modern age as well. It's the same mistake again. Running x86 programs on ARM is technically very impressive - but the average user doesn't care. Redmond could spent their talent much better IMHO. Indeed, we will see if Google can compete with what Microsoft has already achieved with Windows 10 running on every device. But my whole point is that focusing on Continuum as the solution to all mobile problems for Microsoft is the wrong strategy. When the UWP strategy fails, Google has a real chance to compete with Android apps on laptops or even desktops.

Nah i dont think UWP will fail since it offers the best option on coding and i believe its still stronger than android apps on the pc version :3
I believe MS is going to win this :D

You could possibly be right. But, I don't see what direction MS could go, other than Continuum. I agree with their assessment, stating that simply creating another device isn't going to work either. It will have to be a multi-faceted approach.

Google achieved that years ago. Android is running on a wider array of hardware than Windows 10. TVs, smartwatches, cars, refrigerators, and all other sorts of home appliances. Microsoft doesn't have Windows 10 on these devices. They are behind in the all in one race. If that is even a thing.

In the article you write 10", first lapdock is 12.5", not 10".

I'd rather hp stop supporting android.

Not going to label you a hater, please elaborate. IMO it might be trying to run before walking, but continuum (IF they can speed the hell up before competitors steal and DELIVER first) will be a game changer with ARM emulation.

The thing is, Continuum is a technology looking for a market. While it might be a cool technology, I'm pretty sure it will always be a niche. And what Windows 10 Mobile needs is a competitive strategy that can attract any user, not just a niche market, or the app support will be even worse in the future.

iOS was for a niche market at the beginning and just look where they were and are ?

iOS was revolutionary. This is device is 2005 thinking. The cloud already solved every issue this addresses.

What? No. iOS was for the consumer. Many made jokes how bad it was for the enterprise (including Microsoft's CEO). Turns out that "enterprise users" are people as well, haha Windows Phone was focused on consumers only. It managed to get a loyal fan base in no-time (me included). But Microsoft missed to improve WP and made many mistakes updating the system. Now that they have a potent system with W10M for all users (consumers and enterprise), they stopped doing hardware. It's like MS really doesn't want to be relevant in the mobile market anymore.

The consumer-only focused Windows Phone 7 almost made me switch to Android. I jumed from WIndows Mobile 6.5.5 Pro to 8.1. W10M is a lot better and feature-full now thanks to enterprise focus.

Windows 10 mobile is a niche product. Beyond a few fanboys, no one is expecting the OS to become anything else.

I dont think it is wrong. I like it very much. Especially if they add the new continuum features for windowed apps. Continuum is a good feature i use close to daily with my 950xl... And i am sure it will be merged with arm later on. Do not see any bigger flaws with that then anymore. And it is already quite useable especially for traveling.

Do you expect there will be Continuum ready hardware available where you travel to? Or do you take all the adapters, keyboards and docks with you? I really don't see that while all our work files and data is already in the cloud, why one would use the same single device for very different tasks (taking photos and, communicating versus serious work). I really miss the innovation on mobile. PureView camera technology, or 3D touch. It was all very promising. Now we act like having Quicken 98 running on a x86 phone attached to a TV is the future? How sad.

I have a small box with me with a few adapters in and the wireless adapter. In general hdmi is everywhere and all other stuff is optional. Still i have an arc mouse and a foldable keyboard too. All can be put in a very small bag which i carry around anyway. It really is not hard to get around with that. There may be situations where it would not work, but these are present with ultrabooks too (for instance when only vga is available on very old projectors). As i said before... This is not theory anymore for me. I am already living it in my worklife and it works out quite nicely and most people are amazed about what can be done with it when i show it.

Thank you for providing some real world examples. And it is great that thiss works well for you, but I personally can not imagine this setup to be better than let's say a standard smartphone and a Surface Pro.

You speak in such absolute terms. You have zero idea what is going on behind the doors, but you assume that Continuum is all they are working on.

I've read through your other responses and can't tell your argument.  If you want to convince somebody that you're more than a hater, then provide details to your side. What's the wrong path?  A 14-inch laptop screen and keyboard?  Plenty of people still like that format and use it.  Windows on a phone?  That's a "dead" discussion.  Continuum?  Some people see a market for it, where others do not. If this is the wrong path, what do you suggest the right path is?

The wrong path in my personal view is Microsoft's focus on Continuum only. At least this is what we know so far, as not much is known about their real strategy. And while this article is a bout a Continuum accessory, I wrote that it's the wrong path. Continuum is too specific to keep Windows on phones alive, IMHO and this could even be dangerous for the whole UWP strategy. If expensive mobile devices are the only devices where UWP apps are running with mobile UI, the developer support will be tiny. There need to be hardware for a wider range of users. And as of now, there aren't. So the strategy would be to release products for different users. HP is refreshing their Continuum accessories but not releasing a Windows phone for other scenarios.

I see; a focus on Continuum only could be a problem.  I feel like there are devices for different types of users.  Maybe not everyone would need Continuum in their workflow.  But then, in 2007, not everyone needed a touchscreen smartphone that could handle all their communication needs, and allow for third party apps. For my needs, I'm still uncertain about Continuum.  I have multiple devices.  I have an ESXi box that runs Windows as a desktop, that handles my downloads, media conversion, and Plex server.  I have a Windows laptop that I use for most of my communication and designing needs.  I have a work Windows laptop to access my work environment.  I have multiple Windows laptops for my family to use.  I have a work iPhone and a personal phone.  I have many tablets of different operating systems (iPads, Kindle Fire, Windows) for media, games, and communication. Now, if Continuum is somehow able to make one device that can handle the bulk of my digital needs (for example, communication, media consumption, graphics content creation, programming, web browsing) and this is a device I can take with me like my phone, I can see how this would meet my needs.  But I don't know what the current vision is, and obviously my needs aren't everyone's.

And that's the problem: there are only Continuum focused Windows phones out there. I think only about one from Acer and one from HP. Those are the only currently new Windows phones. People still don't realize this (see all the down votes above). I want a Windows phone without paying extra for Continuum, and there are 0 new devices. Also: A Continuum capable device is not something like a Surface Pro, that combines multiple use cases into one single device. It is the opposite! You need multiple hardware (see this article) for the same functionality. A potential Surface Phone is the opposite of a Surface Pro.

I like how HP is really into Microsoft's mobile plans. Keeps us hopeful

Yep, but I'm hoping this means they have more solid news from Microsoft in re: guarantees about ARM, mobile and continuum.

Ya right feels like back in the days of 6.0 back then they made many PDAs and phones with Windows Mobile.

They give me hope for the platform.

Continuum needs a lot of work. As of right now, being limited to full-screen apps is dreadful. But the worst to me is being unable to interact with apps opened in Continuum after disconnecting, i.e., opening something on the second screen and disconnecting without closing it. It sits opened on the system and the only way to close it is to either reconnect and close or reboot the phone.

WOA changes EVERYTHING

The new "x3" is very likely the rumored midrange device. Less expensive, works with all the equipment from hp for x3 and so on. I think that really changes quite a lot if the rumors are right.

That rumor, imo, is complete nonsense.

How? How does a low performance chip for Windows change everything?

No, it really doesn't.

This has allready been on MsPowerUser site for the last day or so and more

LOL...I just saw it before I saw your post.

Fascinating.

From MSPoweruser...
HP makes a good case for the Elite x3 for public service work

Just buy a surface pro 4 or surface book. Those are the best laptops. Then use IOS or android as all Microsoft apps are better on those devices than any Windows mobile.  I'm a Windows guy, and love outlook on IOS and android, my Lumia 950 outlook not so much

Hope it will cost under 300€.

They should make a way to "dock" the hp elite x3 on the lapdock so you don't have to have sitting on a USB cable. Like have it slid into a slot or something.

Did I just get a down vote for looking at other windows/ Microsoft fan sites? Funny

no because your comment really sounded like a bash to WC because they were a day later with this news... my 2 cents...

Windows Central is my first and preferred place to come and view news on windows / Microsoft especially knowing they have a personal interest in Windows mobile. No bash meant.

wish their old lap-dock was a lot cheaper. I would really like to connect that to my video-stream pc with thunderbolt usb 3 since it's monitorless and all (briefcase kind).

I would like is HP made a cheaper lapdock actually.

The newer one is expected to be bigger, more functional (practically) and still cheaper.

Why? I mean ...why ? Samsung seems to be working on a continuum type phone with android this year .....and since this will be android device it will be an imitate success.

Hopefully they can get the price down. The current Lap Dock is WAY overpriced for what it is. I can get a full laptop for $300-400 dollar yet a screen, keyboard, and battery is $600?

I am a hardcore Windows fan (ever since windows phone 7 came out)and I've been using Windows on PCs since forever. So you know that I'm not your average hater. I just find it very hard to understand the use of such a device. Wasn't the purpose of continuum is to have your phone on the go and when you sit somewhere (office or home) you plug it in and you have a Windows 10 like experience with a screen, keyboard and mouse ? I can't imagine myself walking around with that thing and my surface pro 3 and my phone just in case I feel like using my phone as a pc when I have full windows 10 on my surface pro 3.

I was just on the ms website shopping for a new exchange solution. And guess what, exchange works really well with ios and android. They don't even bother mentioning windows mobile any longer. HP is not getting the hint?

I went to a Telstra store yesterday and spoke with a salesman. I asked if they would be getting the HP Elite X3. Of course he'd never heard of it, but he googled it and thought it looked awesome. Anyway, he looked in the system and couldn't see it as ever being available, he also asked if it was dual sim, and I said yes. He then said, oh, we'll never sell it then. I asked why, and he replied that Telstra doesn't want customers to use other networks. I was quietly annoyed, surprised and pissed off at the ignorance and stupidity. Also, he was able to find that HP listed on their enterprise section. This meant they would be getting it for business. Anyway, just some info for anyone interested. Telstra has an exclusive on the pixel. I asked how it was selling and he told me not that great and not as well as expected. When I then went and spoke with a salesman from Optus mobile, he told me that when it came to phones, their customers only really know two kinds - Samsung and Apple. Not even Android, Samsung. I instructed that if they sold the HP, Alcatel and upcoming Wharton Brooks that they would have a good little niche market with MS fans. It seems that phone companies here are very behind and quite ignorant from what is happening in the market. They only really know what they are fed - very sad.

This is very true

Microsoft never gave them a reason to care. That is the carriers fault?

still no webcam

Cost is too high for essentially a 1080 screen and battery, put it at 299 range and i would pick one up to use with my 950.