Samsung DeX may beat Microsoft's Continuum, but it's still no slam dunk

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

Samsung's new Microsoft Continuum competitor "DeX" is impressive, but is it enough to really woo consumers? Here is why Samsung faces the same uphill battle that Microsoft does with hybrid devices.

Samsung yesterday announced the Galaxy S8 in a bold attempt to regain ground lost because of its Note 7 battery debacle. For the most part, the company appears to be on the right track. Early hands-on reviews are gushing over the phone's design, feature set, and new abilities. One of those capabilities is DeX, which is a terrible name but also an impressive feature.

Samsung's DeX lets Galaxy S8 owners connect to a larger display – with a dock to become a PC ... kind of. That sounds a lot like Microsoft's Continuum, but it addresses a different problem for Samsung: how to move Android to the desktop from mobile. That's the opposite issue that Microsoft is trying to solve.

Five things to know about the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the DeX dock

Nonetheless, Samsung's DeX, which while very impressive as a 1.0 product, is hardly a sure-fire hit. Here are a few reasons to keep the idea of DeX as a threat to Microsoft Continuum in check.

Samsung DeX is not cheap

When HP's Elite x3 hit the market, many consumers balked at the $799 price tag. However, that amount included the premium HP Desk Dock with multiple USB ports and an Ethernet jack.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S8 retails for $750 with no desk dock, and the S8 Plus is $100 more. Samsung did not announce the pricing and availability of its desk dock, but some earlier reports pegged it at $150 (it also has a fan to cool things down, which is interesting; what happens with a wireless connection, if possible?).

The point here is not that Elite x3 is some value proposition, but that at $900 (plus tax) Samsung's S8 and DeX are not priced for your average consumer. And that's not even including the "spare" display monitor needed.

Keep in mind, Microsoft's long-term vision of Continuum is for emerging markets where many people will never have a decked-out Core i7 desktop PC. We're still years from that idea as pricing needs to come down, but it is not clear that middle- and upper-class consumers are the most viable target for Continuum or DeX in 2017.

Who is DeX for?

Microsoft's Continuum always seemed like a neat concept, but even with the Creators Update, it is best described as half-baked. Nonetheless, companies such as HP see real value in the idea — even if it's not fully realized today — for enterprise and specific professional markets where security and management are valued. Those are safe bets for HP due to no expenditure needed for consumer advertising and stocking store shelves.

HP's move is smart, too, because as many critics have pointed out in the past, what regular consumer would want or need Continuum today? The technology is expensive, a bit clunky, and slow, especially compared to a laptop or tablet that users already likely own.

Those are valid points, and they all apply to Samsung's DeX too, just on a larger scale. It is not only still expensive, it is not clear consumers need or even want an Android desktop solution.

Enterprises and businesses do not want Android due to the complexities of managing its security vulnerabilities. It is also evident that Samsung is not even targeting companies with the Galaxy S8 and DeX, just prosumers.

Perhaps the oddest omission by Samsung with DeX is the modality. A lap dock would seem more apropos for consumers in 2017 than a desktop monitor. While nothing precludes Samsung from making such a device later, it is peculiar it did not start there first.

Samsung's app gap problem

Despite all of Google's success with Android, one area where it has failed is tablets. That's not for a lack of trying. Samsung and many other companies keep trying to win over audiences with Chromebooks and tablets, with little success. Chromebooks are seeing victory in U.S. schools, but that's about it.

Part of the problem is that Android apps just do not scale very well. Developers need to do some heavy coding to make the apps tablet-ready, and due to lack of market share as an incentive, many do not bother.

Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform (UWP), on the other hand, gives developers Continuum for free. Developers have little, if any, work to do in making a UWP app Continuum-ready. There are some mouse and cursor controls and making sure its elements work well scaled, but if it runs on Windows 10 for PC, it can run on Continuum. It's that simple.

Out of the sixty apps installed on my Elite x3, 95 percent of them run in Continuum with Slack being the biggest holdout. (It's not UWP.) AccuWeather, Bank of America, Deus Ex Go, Enpass, Facebook, GroupMe, Instagram, iNi Reader, Huetro for Hue, myTube, Sygic GPS, The Guardian, Twitter, and Uber are all Continuum-enabled, because the process is not a big deal for the developers.

Microsoft's problem is not the app framework, but the lack of market incentive for developers to make more apps that phone users want. (A lack of quality could also be an issue.)

That's not a small problem, but Microsoft's solution for Continuum is baked into Windows 10 and UWP. By comparison, the solution for Android is a bit of a kludge. This foundation is one area where Microsoft is ahead of Apple and Google: OneCore and Composable Shell (CSHELL). The platform is designed from the ground up to be hardware agnostic, whereas Android and iOS are not.

Another significant problem that Microsoft faces, and that DeX does not directly address, is "classic" Win32 desktop apps. At least with Windows 10 on ARM and its Win32 emulation, Microsoft has a path. Android is forever locked out of that ecosystem except for virtualization, which is not always ideal.

Why Microsoft keeps working on Windows 10 Mobile: ARM, cellular, and the next big thing

Samsung, however, has a lot of market power and momentum with the Galaxy series. If there was one company to will something into existence, Samsung could be the one. But does anyone really believe DeX will drive adoption of compatible apps that scale to larger displays? That seems unlikely, at least for the immediate future.

The bottom line on Samsung DeX: None of this is easy

I don't want to diminish what Samsung accomplished with DeX. Let's admit the obvious that out of the gate it is more impressive than Microsoft's Continuum today. That is very notable, and frankly, it bodes well for all companies who endeavor to bridge the mobile computing world.

It should also worry Microsoft a bit, though the company clearly knew DeX was coming - after all, it helped Samsung by making its Office suite scalable.

What CSHELL will bring to Continuum later this year...but is it too late?

Sure, Microsoft is expected to push many improvements to Continuum in the fall with Redstone 3, which brings CSHELL to Mobile. That feature will also include windowed apps and improved Continuum performance. Alas, such improvements are "coming soon" versus Samsung's late April launch of DeX.

The weird thing with DeX and Continuum is everyone thinks it is neat, but consumers are not yet on board. At least not with their wallets.

Conceptually, DeX is a fun idea, and Samsung is pushing it further into the consumer mindset. That's good for Samsung as well as Microsoft. Microsoft is betting Windows 10 because it is hardware agnostic. Continuum, UWP, Windows 10 on ARM, CShell and OneCore are the underpinnings designed to get it there. Android and iOS will struggle with this shift.

While DeX is making waves, it is unclear that consumers will rush to adopt it. Like Continuum, it seems unlikely that your average person will fork over another $150 for the feature. Would someone give up a full laptop, whether it is Windows or macOS, for DeX? Maybe, but let's not call it mainstream just yet.

Modular computing is the future, make no mistake. However, the road ahead is a long one, and Samsung's DeX is just another milestone.

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

192 Comments
  • Good article
  • Unless I missed it, what about the additional cababilities of continuum?  For example, all you need is a small hdmi\usb wireless adapter, dock is optional.  In fact you can connect it to your PC without any wires or adapters using the connet app.  I use that all the time when i'm not at home.  With dex, you can't even use it on a laptop at all, only with a screen, keyboard, mouse, annoying.
  • It's working with the miracast client on my android tv as well, so it is definitely better!
  • it was a shocker to see a company like Samsung, not known for its software, beat Microsoft with a better implementation of phone to PC. Either Microsoft has totally lost its software chops, or it is just not interested in competing in mobile. The first version of MS should have been ages ahead of what sammy came up with - that was my expectation from MS. Sadly they let me and all fans down. And to rub it in, most of the DeX apps they showed were from Microsoft!
  • Samsung is not unkown for its software. Actually the first Androids to sell well were because Samsung made TouchWiz which worked aoround many of Google's deficiencies then. Of course they have lost in doing that (and partly also made a compromise not to do that while Google will sell Motorola and give up competing in return).
  • I can't see how DeX would beat Continuum in anyway except displaying muliple Windows at present.  With CShell in RS3, Continuum will be much more PC like.  Continuum supports wireless connection, touch monitor, Xbox controller and the upcoming new features (Independent Monitor Idle, Proximity Connect, independently customizable Start screen, multitasking, Action Center, etc.) make it much more advanced than DeX.  It supports W10 UWP apps that DeX never will.  DeX is pricey with either S8 or S8+ while Continuum finds its way in many mid to high end WP phones at much lower prices.  The upcoming Surface Phone will introduce a new mobile category that would go far beyond the traditional 'phone' category.  If it will be equipped with a foldable screen, it can dominate in the business and enterprise sectors which W10 owns.  Continuum would become a supporting feature.  It will be used only when a large screen is required.
  • You forgot the disclaimer: "This post may contain forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Continuum to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements."  :-D
  • Im not holding out for the Surface Phone (anymore).  I pre-ordered the GS8, i plan to give it a shot for 30 days, will try to use MS services on it, and see how it goes.  The problem is, there are so many apps that i need, and cannot have on my Lumia 950 due to the lack of developer support for W10 Mobile.  I will hold onto my 950, with the hope that something major happens, but im not going to lose any sleep over it.
  • Windows 10 in a mobile device will never survive without an app store to support it. W10 will always dominate the business and enterprise computer sectores but until they get a strong app market for mobile devices they'll still remain years behind. That alone will drive people away from even trying Continuum to begin with.
  •   Current MS CEO - "We will continue to support windows phone but it is not a priority". That said, R3 and WIn32 Emu, and they are specifically making steps toward their vision of a non-hardware dependant OS, and that includes scaling well on a smaller screen. Basically I think they are taking their time, making sure they do it right, rather than trying to generate hype. Samsung will most likely release some Windows phones. Samsung and Microsoft are good pals. The reason WHY, the DeX apps they showed were microsoft - those are the only ones that are DeX compatible. Microsoft specifically helped Samsung with this project. All the rest of android apps are incompatible and don't run properly in desktop mode. Samsung and microsoft actually co-developed, and co-own the patent for graphene foldable OLED screens. Not that graphene manufacture is anywhere near cheap enough for production yet, but MS and sammy go way back.
  • Well we will c as time goes on
  • MS will miss the bus again... I mean whiskey tango foxtrot! Why are we even holding on to hope. Those who think Samsung is going to rest on their laurels with DeX are in for a big disappointment
  • If they focus more on mobile for once with RS3 and get it out by November, they will maintain themselves ahead. But as said on the article, adoption from consumers is needed for both solutions
  •   I'm not sure there is any kind of market for DeX whatsoever. Android development funding is tiny. People spend the price of a coffee on that stuff and they baulk. So the software is always simple, limited. Compare that with the Adobe suite. Power users will have to real desire to use sofware that isn't power user software, in a manner imitating an actual power use platform. Samsung would actually have to create demand for the applications, create the funding pool for development, entirely from stratch. I mean maybe some people will write some code on it, try and be early adopters, but I don't see this thing having any life at all. Android is simply not a platform that scales well the desktop, enterprise, or power users. Thats what you get when the development money is so tiny.
  • If we compare to buy HP Elite with dock and Samsung Galaxy S8 with dock, lets be honest....Customer will select the second choice. For now at least I cannot find any reason to spend so many dollars just to be a windows mobile device that it doesn't support nothing at all. I know that market of dock device is not ready yet, but I believe that it should be much better from Samsung that option. I am using my Lumia 950xl with that dock and yet it needs lot of improvements
  • I believe that Samsung have greater problems than Microsoft, just because they aren't the center of android (as a lot of people believe).
    What i mean is HTC is not on board with Samsung, LG is not on board with Samsung, Lenovo isn't eather, so Samsung won't share or help partners they need to make money. Microsoft isn't making a lot for their partners or loyal users, but comparing to Samsung is way more.
    But don't worry that's just IMO, and i'm not an expert.
  • You think those companies won't have their own version of DeX at some point? They will certainly copy Samsung and be able to take advantage of the apps being made.
  • Keyword: Copy
    It might work, but it might have bigger problems with everyone trying to make their own continuum software development is a tricky thing.
    Microsoft is making money in other areas and investing little to get risk-free steps ahead, but those company needs to sell so they can keep investing, IMO they can't by themself put the money in R&D that Microsoft started "burning" a lot of time ago. Google can do it, and they will, the question here is when?
  • Google already did it. Whose software do you think Samsung is using? Google added this interface into Android so developers could take advantage of it. Google isn't Microsoft, they allow the manufacturers room to innovate. It wouldn't be that hard for them to implement it using this feature. https://www.xda-developers.com/android-nougats-freeform-window-mode-what...
  • Wait, i believe we are talking about different things.
    I'm talking about UWP, OneCore and CShell. Maybe the CShell alike goal is allready into android, but others like the OneCore and UWP is yet to come
  • "UWP" functionality was added with Android 3.0 way back in 2011. I don't even need to explain that Android has one core that runs on phones, tablets, wearables, TVs, autos, home appliances, AR/VR and PCs. Windows fans and Apple fans are very similar. Always claiming they invented everything or are the only ones offering it.
  • Ok, have a nice day.
  • 🙄
  • It's not OneCore for Android since they only ran on low-powered devices and never Intel Core or Xeon PCs. Android has no life on high-end computers, no GPUs, etc.
  • It is not OneCore for Microsoft since they have no life on low power devices. No phones, wearables, appliances, etc.
  • Touché ! Bravo ! and I agree with you by the way !
  • Incorrect.
  • spot on, they had a so called iot sku and couldnt run it on band3
  • I said yet to come.
    Future for android looks bright, you never know. Useful or not is other topic.
  • Android do run on Intel.  Asus made many phones and tablets with an Intel Atom processor.  I've got right now a Chewi tablet running on Intel Atom (dual boot Android / Windows 10). I guess nobody saw the point of bringing Android to Intel Core or Xeon processors.
  • Yeah, its rather wrong to say that Android only runs on ARM, when there is already devices that actually runs on x86 CPU. The Chuwi and Asus are the real-life examples. Even this Remix OS which is another flavor of Android that actually a desktop OS. ​Why Android isn't on desktop is likely due because of Chrome OS and Google simply don't know what to do exactly. It seems though they are already planning to merge them soon, which is why the project Andromeda supposed to achieve, and this is why Chrome OS recently supports running Android apps (which they should've done before). Google is also quite a slacker and messy on their product-line, which is a breathing space for Microsoft to take advantage of that while it last.
  • Remix is so much of a fork, it's denied google services. And it doesn't run graphics cards, device drivers etc. Its more of a beta desktop OS, than an actual desktop OS.
  • They run on intel SoC. They do not run on desktop devices with cards and peripherals. Its a hardware dependent model. Its not a scalable hybrid OS, and I don't think google has any real plans to make one. They specifically said they were NOT working on a ChromeOS and Android fusion. I mean why would they - there is NO WAY, android is going to be able to compete at the desktop level, within enterprise etc. The software set they have is ....primitive, simple, low developement funding. You can't scale that to the desktop. Desktop software with its high development funding can be scaled the other way.
  • Sorry but technically Android can run even on Intel Core or Xeon as they are x86-64 based CPU, which Android x86 project already does. Which is why before Intel even tried to push Atom on smartphones, such as Asus Zenfones are x86-based Android. Android is bascially just another Linux-based OS, just happens to have different shell, APIs, and other things that makes the OS, not just Linux kernel (which can support wide-variety of CPUs anyways, more so than NT). ​Though indeed, Android isn't on high-end PCs and laptops, that will remain until Google finally unify Android and Chrome OS. Its their company strategy and philosophy that prevents it from happening.
  • Wait whut? Virtually no android apps are compatible with DeX. All of windows UWP is compatible with continuum. Come late this year, windows mobile will be able to run win32. The samung variety can basically run _nothing_ in proper windowed mode. And no one is likely to develop for that either. If one actually wanted this feature, one would surely choose the one that actually has software, otherwise - whats the point?
  • Talking about features will be better. Not what or what ever the future plans are. Samsung showed true multitasking with first generation and they already have apps. Ball is now in MS court.
    Wait... How did MS let it be two man's game,?
    Simple, remember windows phone;")
  • No, they don't have apps. Android has apps, but actually just a very few of them are "Dex ready".
  • yeah but "soonish" made by Android means late 2017/18 if Microsoft tells you "it will come soon" it could mean anything from 1year to 5 and thats a HUGE problem :)
  • Because Samsung made DeX from nothing to a product in just a couple of months, right? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  • DeX is only 1 day old and we're already talking about apps not being ready? Lol. When this "continuum" feature will become a mainstream one, devs will choose Android. Microsoft instead, after 2 years, didn't make any progress.
  • If they want DeX to have a chance, it must become an Android feature, not a Samsung feature.  Microsoft's Continuum is available to all OEMs who want to make Windows 10 Phones, not only to them.
  • Two long years at a snails pace. But at least we have a new share icon
  • And other apps that might not be DeX ready will still work on them... although won't look as good as DeX ready ones...
  • Continuum has true multitasking, or aren't you counting the device's screen and content as another task? (BTW, on the S8 it turns off the screen and it doesn't let you do anything there, as long as i know)
    Is not as it should be counted but in one way or other it is there now.
    UWP is new, the performance needs to improve, but the foundations are there, and they are solid.
  • Sorry, but most everything you said is wrong. No one considers continuum capable of multitasking, multitasking would be multiple programs running at once. The S8 does not turn the screen off, you can continue to use it. UWP is not new, it's just not adopted because no one cares about it. Even Windows Central can't make a functioning UWP app (seriously, unpublish that travesty).
  • They runs at once, in different screen processed by the same CPU, as long as i know that's multitask.
    I don't know that much about the S8 yet, so ok screen remains usable.
    UWP is not new for most of us, but compared with iOS apps, android apps and Win32 apps...
  • This thing is DOA just like all the ones before it.  People keep falling for this because it's a cool tech demo and at one point in the past we all had this future vision into our minds.  The thing is this thing missed it's time and there is absolutely no chance of it taken off now.  Which is why every oem keep trying and failling with this setup.  Like all the other vendors who tried this before it, this thing is DOA.  
  • Right, but Samsung will still sell tens of millions of S8's. I agree the concept is kludge no matter who implements it, but the handset is still excellent.
  • the concept itself is stupid no matter who wants to sell it. A mobile phone cant replace a laptop. You wont convert your HD movie on a phone, you wont use CAD on your phone and you wont compose music on your PC... and the idea itself that a tiny mobile phone could replace a full PC is in 2017 still a lie or a "vision". The mobile HW is still far away from a desktop/laptop CPU/GPU and thats OK For browsing, emailing or using social sites... Samsungs Dex is IDEAL. Average consumers wont use x86 app on it. All they want are basic app like FB, Snapchat etc..
  • Not every enterprise user uses CAD, or 3DsMax or whatever. A lot of them just use Outlook, Office and ShrePoint. They get issued laptops and phones. In the office they dock those laptops. THIS is the target audience for Continuum. Replace those laptops and phones with continuum phones. They're powerful enough for the work these people do. Heck, some of them are still using Desktops with 4GB RAM & Core 2 duos...
  • True, in the company I work for there are 3500 people and 90% only use office products. The others can use VMware to connect to a desk top and then you have everything :)
  • I do think that a lot of people here underestimate how useful it could be to IT departments to have to manage fewer physical devices, and to not have to worry about data being stored on multiple devices - I'm not saying things like Continuum are suitable to everybody right now and I don't think it's ready for any widespread adoption at the moment but if a lapdock gets stolen or lost it's not a big deal to a company as there is no data on it - One less device to manage, one less device to secure etc. can be a big help.
  • You're clearly wrong
  • Not only will they sell tens of millions of S8's, they'll probably strike deals with carriers where they throw in tens of millions of DeX docks as well.  I have a Continuum dock sitting on a shelf in the office gathering dust ... like many others, I got mine during the 950/950XL launch promotion.  As a prosumer, I had visions of this being great, but at the end of the day I either lug around a laptop that I can remote into my development environment with, or I lug around a dock and hope I can connect it somewhere to do the same thing.  Laptop wins.
  • Unlike Microsoft with Windows 10 mobile / Continuum, Samsung isn't betting the farm on DeX. It's value added. If Continuum doesn't take off - developers continue to avoid Windows 10 Mobile like the plague and it remains at 0.0001% market share. Samsung is going to sell a boatload of S8s, with or without DeX. It either becomes the future of computing or you never hear about it again, and Samsung continues to sell a boatload of phones.
  • This is a good point.  DeX is just one of a slew of S8 features, and presented by Samsung as such.  In contrast, W10M, as presented by Belfiore before he want on gardening leave just prior to the disastrous launch, was perhaps the core feature.  
  • "Gardening leave" ... I LOL'ed hard at that :-D
  • Funny part, Microsoft has been talking about it since 2 years now and Samsung just released it out of nowhere and it is still better than continuum. MS needs to start working hard :p
  • Please define better. It still barely has apps. In my eyes, it isn't that much better, just appears to have an edge over it. An edge that people might be indifferent about.
  • It's my understanding that all android apps run in DeX, but non-optimized apps run in phone-sized windows.
  • I think a lot of people on here who aren't software developers don't get that.  It's no different to when the iPad was launched, and all the iPhone apps could run in normal mode, or "x2" scaling.  And it didn't take long for that ecosystem to make headway.  Designing an Android app for scalability, or late-implementing the functionality, isn't anywhere near as difficult as this article tries to make it seem.  And if you bring hybrid apps (web "pages" running in an app shell) into the equation, then you're looking at NO work.  Seriously ... are developers really still creating apps that run on an Android phone, but don't scale to an Android tablet?  I'd argue that most apps are ALREADY primed for DeX.
  • the truth is this: UWP app are rare, Android app are everywhere. To convert a random Android app to work with Dex takes some time but its possible and if the markets want it, they will get it. UWP has much bigger problems - UWP APP GAP, lack of consumers, lack of coders etc.
  • By now windows 10 mobile should be as good as windows 10 and probably even better if they really care about mobile marketshare. 
  • I would define better as looking like a desktop, with multiple windows and drag and drop capability (as demo'd, but not yet out in real use). Continuum by contrast has a single app on screen, though multiple can be running. That's not even up to RT standards. Both DeX and Continuum can use essentially the same mobile Office apps, along with Outlook, and I expect MS RDP app, as well as acces their respective browsers to do web things, pitting Edge against Chrome in this environment. Multiple apps on split/snapped screens is the minumum Continuum needs to do to even hint at it being a productivity solution. Otherwise it is effectively no more than screen mirroring with a BT keyboard and mouse. Been doing that for years. I'm hoping this gets MS to pull their thumbs out of their butts and get moving on Continuum. It does no more now than when they launched it two years ago, and in my experience is spotty at doing it.  Oh, while the Connect app is a cool thing, it is silly to tie this to Continuum from the phone. Who the heck would send their phone apps to a laptop that has all those same apps? This may be useful on a conference room PC, to allow connection from a phone or laptop, but that's a pretty narrow use case, especially since that conference room PC has to have WiFi. It does not work to a PC that is just on the network, or via cabling (USB-C/3) to the PC either. It has to be a PtoP WiFi.. This should be 'fixed'. A connection from a phone only works occaisionaly for me in any case. The target never completes the connection though the phone believes it has. Laptop to laptop or desktop seems to work well. If it were consistant from the phone, maybe I'd find more uses. BTW, I don't think DeX is a dumb name. I immediatly imagine Desktop eXperience- DeX. Remember Windows eXPerience?
  • The really sad part is MS is the software focused co. and Samsung is the hardware focused co.
  • Same as with Apple... Apple is hardware focussed. Its software side exists to sell its hardware. Though, in all fairness, Microsoft is moving in that direction too with their Surface line of products. For once it seems like a home-grown Microsoft computing hardware product is not hemmoraghing money and it has a reasonable presence in the market (XBox is gaming, not computing and the Zune was a glorified music player).
  • How is it better?
  • ...read the article
  • I read the article and I see nothing that makes it better, other htan the fact it will run all android apps (which for me gives limited value). The fact that many don't scale properly makes it little different than just connecting your phone to a monitor which has been a capability for many phones for a very long time.
  • In fairness to MS, as first out of the gate they had nobody to compare themselves against, Samsung have because MS has laid out essentially a blueprint for them of what works well and what doesn't. They must have done some decent research into Continuum when developing this so knew what to avoid and what to take etc.
  • If this is true then why any company hasn't been able to make product as better as Surface? Honestly i think MS doesn't care about platform as good and apple foes for their android and ios.I have been waiting for windows mobile to be the best os since HTC HD7 phone and I am still waiting. 
  • ...but it's still a beat nontheless.
  • A beat that MS still has the chance to beat themselves ;)
  • Well, no one is better at beating MS than MS themselves...snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
  • I think the main difference is Microsoft sees Continuum as a way to save Windows 10 on phones, while for Samsung, DeX is simply "value added". Samsung has long been known for throwing all the crap they can come up with at the wall and seeing what sticks. Some things like split-screen mutli-tasking went form gemmick to truly "the next big thing". Android O is supposed to improve keyboard and mouse / app re-sizing (mostly with Chromebooks in mind) - so DeX should see some improvement there. With ChromeOS and Android apps coming together, and the above mentioned Android O improvements, I think Google has the biggest potential for a win here. I imagine a future Pixel will you turn your phone into a Chromebox with a simple dock and cable.
  • You are assuming the $150 dock is the only one that works.  Continuum works with many adapters; I'm using a $40 HDMI/USB/USB-C power in adapter meant for macs for my continuum usage.  Others are using a combination of miracast and bluetooth.  Heck, I hapeen to have a Firestick from Amazon, and I was able to try out continuum on my TV with that and using the phone as the touchpad.  I doubt samsung would make the adaption proprietary; they aren't Apple.
  • I didn't know continuum was that open. Thanks for the info. The problem is the average consumer isn't going to look far beyond the first party solution. I believe most people will see the high dock price and turn away. The high cost of the phone isn't helping either.
  • I'm doing the same with some assortment of USB-C adapters, some made for MacBook, and some wireless. There are still some compatibility glitches here and there, but it is pretty functional. I wondered if the Samsung solution uses the standard USB-C protocols. That will be interesting to find out.
  • I know I'll be downvoted for what I'll say, but... I don't know... to me Microsoft has not released anything on Continuum, Windows 10 Mobile is moving slower than can of tomato in terms of development speed. What I am trying to say, is that as we speak, Android is at another level compared to Windows 10 Mobile. The only way to catch up for an OS that is Surface Phone worthy and push sales, is if Microsoft put a lot of energy and resources back when Redstone 2 (Creators Update) was in development. But they didn't. And core issues like Bluetooth compatibility, "Continuum 2.0” not being released, still no car integration despite open source standards available (Android Auto). The way forward is one device that follows you, that does the most things possible. Surface team got that, you have these powerful hybrid devices. It follows the idea of 1 OS for multiple devices, "One Core". Yet on the other side of the company, they see that phones is a niche fad, and car integration should be this thing apart, its own OS, at only at a experimental stages for "the car of the future" (even though we have these cars for many years already). Very sad, in my opinion, especially that if you use Windows 10 Mobile device you SEE the passion behind it by the dev team. You see the mass potential, but it looks like anyone above, don't, and limit resources, limit everything... like if they want this device gone... but this is the direction to go... If Microsoft think that the future is still desktop PCs, then this a huge mistake in the long term. Samsung just started with its Continuum experience, and it already ahead of Microsoft. App support will come, heck Microsoft said that they support it. Samsung is fast moving, and ready to back everything they do with lots of marketing to push things. By the year end, Samsung will be even more ahead with its Continuum experience, and I doubt we will see putting icons and files on the desktop, or even have an actual start menu to start with, even if the code is already done on Windows 10.
  • That's been a problem of mine with W10M for a while. It promises a lot in terms of functionality but MS just aren't taking it anywhere and it feels pretty much neglected.
    If MS truly believe that the future of computing is on mobiles, you'd think that they'd still be laying that groundwork, even if it isn't as profitable as they want. W10M's position would certainly be better off for it too, and with true investment it probably could be way ahead of the curve right now.
  • MS is now going to sell S8 in their stores, who still has kept their hopes on surface phone?
  • Microsoft seems impressed enough https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/android/108140/microsoft-offering-custom...
  • Wow. That's weird. It almost makes one think that Microsoft doesn't have any intentions on selling phones if they are willing to sell one that doesn't even have their OS on it, just some applications.
  • Whatever, they're trying to get people to use their Office apps. I'm going to choose to believe this was a deal that included Samsung retro fitting Windows mobile on the S7 or even on the S8 in 6 months. I still believe that if it can run Android it can run Windows even better.
  • More likely there was some patent swap or agreement of some kind. No way Samsung would let its flagship run Windows mobile.
  • Can Windows scale to the weird resolution of the S8?
  • I think Samsung and MS have had a deal of some sort for a while, Samsung phones come with the Office suite etc. preinstalled I believe.
  • It's one thing to have a deal and another to actually sell them in your store. People do the former all the time, but the latter is going the extra mile.
  • I think Microsoft selling them in the store makes sense. Someone buying a device in a Microsoft store is probably also using Microsoft's services. Microsoft can say, "You want Office 365 on a phone? We've got the perfect solution for you!" It will be a highly recognizable top selling device, and it will run Microsoft's Office suite like a champ. A WM device will also run Office apps well in Continuum, but that is its main selling point. To the average consumer, it has few to no other advantages over flagships from Apple or Samsung, and way too many disadvantages. An S8 with the Office suite is the best of both worlds (I don't mean to people on this forum! I'm speaking for the typical consumer.) Plus, Microsoft might even profit a bit on the hardware sale.
  • Fair points. I didn't consider that, thanks for that viewpoint.
  • In other words (and reality), no reason for W10M to exist.
  • Yeah, that's the logical explanation..... /s
  • Double whammy.
  • Would it be fair to say that the same people who bagged continuum will readily adopt DeX because it is an offering by Samsung, a major mobile player? It will be interesting to see how many will say if I need to use a computer I will carry my laptop not a DeX dock, cables, mouse and a keyboard. Or will it be wow I can carry my Samsung S8 a few cables, a dock, mouse and keyboard? Interesting times ahead for Microsoft, what amazes me is that MS has Samsung following into its footsteps, I hope not stepping on MS toes.
  • I would never get myself a Samsung phone. I hate so much what they did to the Android interface I cannot like these phones and tablets, I hate it when I help friends that have Samsung devices.  The only Android interface I like is the Nexus one, pure Android straight from Google, but I hate everything else about the Nexus phones (no MicroSD, no replaceable battery, etc). Long live Windows Phone, the best mobile interface ever created!
  • Microsoft should really ask themselves why on earth they are suddenly behind, overtaken by a company whose software track record is, err, well, not really top league. That's a tad embarassing.
  • 'Cause Microsoft is slow? Where's the damn windowed mode for Continuum? Oh that's right... on a Samsung phone.
  • I've only used my continuum dock once so far. I plugged in my 950XL to try it out, thought it was neat, couldn't open apps I wanted to, put everything back in the box, and it's still sitting on my shelf. I like the idea for emerging markets, but it would still be cheaper to buy a low end laptop or PC than get a phone and dock.
  • You just described 97% of continuum users.
  • I am able to run everything I need at work, except for one app, in Continuum. I'm planning on not carrying my Surface any more and just using my phone. My Surface and docking station will become my home desktop system. It's more powerful than the one I have!!
  • Nadella is wrong abt emerging markets, and WC blindly uses the same line without putting much thoughts, so they think ppl in emerging markets who cant afford acorei7 desktop will use this for thei computing needs? why the hell they wont buy just a 150$ PC stick?
  • I was hoping that Dan or Zac would respond to this whole DeX thing...and you did! Thanks. DeX is out of reach. I don't see many people bothering with that.
  • Out of reach? It will probably end up a free accessory with one of the highest selling phones ever. It may be pointless, but it certainly is within reach.
  • Over time maybe, but I don't see this happening in the first 2 months.  Their Gear VR seems more like a popular thing over this.
  • 2 months is nothing. The GearVR wasn't that popular until they started giving it away. It is also a gimmick though.
  • And DeX isn't? Talk to anyone considering this phone whether DeX plays into their purchase decision.
  • Hence the "also" in my comment. DeX is definitely a gimmick, just like Continuum.
  • People buy the Galaxy series phones in droves. They normally sell in the 50 - 100 million range. It will sell with or without DeX. Sure, there will undoubtedly be those who will buy the S8 because of DeX, but for many it doesn't play into the buying decision.
  • Dex is a "better presentation" of the "earlier version" of continuum. W10 has evolved to making "continuum," as you've correctly stated, part of the underpinning of the entire operating system. That is the better product. Now Microsoft, and at some point other W10 OEM's, need to execute on the hardware side. It's perfectly fine that Samsung is helping "the industry" make this shift. 😉 But it is in no way a better solution than what MS has evolved W10 into.
  • If continuum is the underpinning of your entire OS you are in a laughable state of affairs.
  • Death punch for #W10M
  • I think microsoft continuum is better
  • Continuum lacks apps, can't multitask and there is no decent hardware available. How is it better?
  • Well its samsung but if we go by price MS wins :D but ofc it has nothing to do with price!!
    A lumia 950 in my country is 250 to 310 € and even with no dock no mircast you can use continiuum on your pc (yea well if your pc is 8-9 years old its usefull even for browsing xd) while for samsung you have to pay a lot. Well if we see the app gap disapear xD, at least after R3 they should start promoting again :) 
  • I use continuum on my 950 XL almost daily in an odd way. I use the Universal Emulator app and my Xbox Controller to be able to play classic games on a large screen using my phone as the console. It's great fun and it gets a lot of use as I said daily in my home. Showing home videos is another great application since I can cast from my phone to my Roku and show the family.
  • It's good but would not work well, I mean play well or integrate well, into our windows and office based environment. Continuum does due it being native. Android devices cause us no end of pain.
  • Good thing this is a consumer device. It will still outsell all Windows phones into Enterprise. Business aren't interested in messing with kludges like DeX or Continuum. They are no replacement for a laptop.
  • Whilst the S8 is a consumer device, you could argue that the pricing of the S8 + dock + monitor also moves it out of the consumer segment and more into the niche of tech enthusiasts. I agree, right now it isn't a suitable or cost effective replacement for business or even general use. It might be one day though.
  • Carriers will take care of the sticker shock. The dock will probably end up a freebie.
  • Just like it did for the Lumia 950xl.  Bought my 950xl last fall on Microsoft's website and the dock came with it for free.
  • The next big thing is a phone that can replace your laptop. That's the future.
  • yep...galaxy Note 8 MS edition with AFFORDABLE mobile dock....where the phone is IN the dock,  just not connected to it.
  • "While DeX is making waves, it is unclear that consumers will rush to adopt it. Like Continuum, it seems unlikely that your average person will fork over another $150 for the feature. Would someone give up a full laptop, whether it is Windows or Mac OS, for DeX? Maybe, but let's not call it mainstream just yet". Now that's delusional thinking as you chose to disregard that million more use Android OS on their smartphones in the US alone than W10M so from that alone 'DEX' has the upper hand in being introduced to the Enterprise arena compared to 'Continuum'. So talking about it's the future yes, but it has to have a starting point and from day one MS has dropped, stomped and buried the ball from the point of view of making an OS for mobile phones that's half the functionality of what's found on IOS and Android and expect faithful windows consumers to always wait around for they (MS OS developers)to decide that it's time to actually earn their pay.
  • Samsung will probably give it free if you buy a galaxy s8 cause they always give something to its buyers. When I got my Note 5 Samsung gave me a battery pack, wireless charger and a headset in 2015. My brother bought the s7 edge and received a memory card. The only thing I received from Microsoft was a headache.
  • They better, after all those fires it caused. I likely won't be buying a Samsung phone in the next decade. If they build one that runs WM10, or WOA, I might consider it.
  • When I bought my 950xl, I got a free 950 and dock.
  • Man you got a better deal than me :-)  Just got the dock for free, not the little brother phone.
  • Funny how people bushing continuum then at the same time saying ms is software company.. Let's call continuum a work in progress.. If hp could get other company taking on Doc like HTC, Samsung.. Then Microsoft would have worked harder to perfect and support OS and continuum, now Microsoft has to work on hardware and software and their supporting other platform on ms software.. Better late than never..
    And that we have Surface product now which are good product..
  • For the average consumer, DeX is a novelty item, something the user will show off to their friends and before you know it, the luster may dim. However, by dipping their foot into experimental (lukewarm) waters - which is pretty much effortless for Samsung - they can see which way the tide will turn and they can ride that waves if it hits.
    One thing I have not heard from posters is how Microsoft seems to be turning back the clock. With the exception of peripherals, they've stayed out of the hardware development game for a long time. Many a manufacture exploited their OSs and wares and because of these tools, they have major presence in the enterprise and home markets both on the backend and front. Yes, they screwed up the mobile game big time so it's time to revisit what worked.
    Currently they are making great strides innovating hardware and it's gaining traction. So, why not rinse and repeat? Each iteration of Windows has been meet with criticism yet there they are - all up in your businesses and homes. Windows 10 is no different except with the mobile version they have to shake off some bad history. Now they can focus on a redo of the mobile platform with the enterprise arena. I don't believe the DeX will be the death punch for W10M.
    I currently have an Elite x3 and use Continuum regularly because I work in an environment that uses it's best features. I roam from location to location and dock or wirelessly connect or remote control other PC's. I create and edit spreadsheets It works great with SharePoint and the many other enterprise offerings of O365. With that said - there are some glitches with my x3 but I'll take glitches over an explosion any day.
  • I'm thankful to apple for introducing USB-C on its laptops, as now I am able to use one of them cheaper connectors made for them. It comes with an HDMI out, a USB port for connecting pen drives, and a power in, all for $33, and it works like a charm with my 950XL!
  • Deluded fanboy article. Even Microsoft is selling the Galaxy S8 this coming April in THEIR OWN STORES!!!
  • How is it fanboy when I say that Samsung deserves the credit for creating something better than Continuum on its first try? The problem Samsung faces with DeX is the same for Continuum with consumers: who wants or needs it? If Apple did this would it be a huge hit too or would people stick with their iPads? You are clearly more interested in name calling than making a coherent argument against any point I made here. So weak, Ricardo. I expect better from you so write something with merit.
  • Continuum first real problem was that is ran like crap at launch. It was roasted across the web for being buggy at launch. Let's just be honest it wasn't ready at all. Being first isnt always best. Easier way of looking at it is. For basic computing this works fine. From the demo everthing your average student wants or needs is on it. 
  • Im confused Daniel.  You state DeX is a gimick...but stated continuum was the bee's knee's for a long time.   Can you clarify your comments?  I think DeX is going to forge ahead with development with all top model samsungs having DeX included where, MS will stagnate like they do with continuum and just let it die...AKA RT/MOBILE.
  • I have NEVER said "the bees knees" or implied any such thing about Continuum. What I have always said was the vision of Continuum is very intriguing, which is why there is so much general interest in it broadly, but it's not ready for mainstream. We have done a few articles on using/living with Continuum and pointed out the pros and cons. I say the same thing here: there is POTENTIAL for Continuum/DeX, but it's a journey to get there.
  • gotcha...So do you think windows has ditched "10 mobile"  and moving to working with sammy moving forward?  Also,  do you think they will work android apps into DeX platform soon,  as they have done with chorme for example?  
  • Ooooo fanboy downvotes...love it
  • I think because of the popularity of Samsung smartphones and with Android on Chromebooks, they may be able to drive app developers to work with this concept on Android. If the concept takes off, developers could begin working on Windows Mobile. I think this is good news for Android and Windows and shows an exciting future.
  • Samsung are onto a winner here and make it less likely that MS will have any success in the mobile hardware sector. 70% of the world run Android and they will soon have the option to turn it into a desktop, due to modern processor power and MS's support for its software on the platform. When/if the 'surface phone' does arrive, it will be a mobile computer first, and phone second. We can talk about windows and X86 capabilities, but the consumer market couldn't care less. They want functionality, on mobile devices, that play nicely with all there other stuff.    
  • 70% may run on Android, but 90 percent of PCs run on Windows. It's a battle. Android needs to get productivity and security to a level that it can compete with a PC and the PC needs to be able to fit in your phone. In 2017, however, you cannot possibly convince me or many that giving up mac OS or Windows for Android is actual option. If all you do is email and use Office, maybe.
  • agreed....NEVER on the giving up windows desktop for even MacOS.   I tried it twice and it was a horrible OS both times.  WIndows 10 is a Gem of an os on desktop/laptop/2 in 1...and the mobile side for phones and consumption tablets IOS and Android have it there.
  • Ya, but 90% of the world also runs Windows.
  • Very good point in this article! Do we know if DeX will work over Miracast?
  • Nothing works "well" over Miracast. Across many devices I have seen it work at best 50% of the time without disconnects/lag/corruption/or having to reboot one of the devices. It should have been called Miratrash
  • My guess is there has to be a wireless option. The dock, however, has a fan in it to keep the S8 cool. That says something about how it may perform under load wireless.
  • I think the fan is to quell any Hot moments while charging...more or less a second stage of keeping cool. a backup plan for samsungs batteries..they are being extra careful.
  • Why does Microsoft insist on sending mixed messages?  How does it ever hope to gain the confidence of developers and people in general that they're commited to mobile?
  • Hmm, still not even close to a reason to go crawling back to Samsung of all manufacturers. Been there done that for too many years, the reason I LEFT Samsung was because of their UNBELIEVABLE amount of bloatware and advertising that sucked up my resources. IF I ever were to go back to Android it would NOT be Samsung.
  • My next Android tablet will not be a Samsung for the same reason - bloat you can't remove.
  • Exactly.
  • I would think you could claim people don't want DEX after it's released a couple months after it's released. If there's any one thing that is true is that the street price for dex wont be $150 buck for long. Samsung accessories price drop like rocks months after realse date. I don't believe this directly impacts Microsoft because they aren't in the game. However the demos of this seems miles ahead of day 1 continiuum or even day 365. 
  • This seems like a hopeless, rosy tale of Continuum. Microsoft has pushed back big improvements to mobile and Continuum twice now, so why would I believe RS3 in the fall with be the REAL release? Doesn't take much to see it bumped to next spring and RS4. That, and where will Continuum run? Microsoft still has no proof that hardware will be out in the fall to make Continuum appealing. Sticking to old devices and third-party, hard-to-find stuff (like the x3 at launch) won't likely go over well. I bought into the initial Display Dock, and haven't touched it in a year. There's basically nothing going for it now, and I am ready to get a new phone. I'd rather leave W10M for a year and try again with the Surface Phone than screw around on this OS with no guarantees when/if we get something new to run the OS.
  • I don't doubt that Samsung can get it to work, but just as with a lot of other proprietary exclusives you find on Samsung devices, I think it will be challenged in bridging the Android masses. MS does enjoy a benefit in that respect. My wife uses Samsung phones but I know she won't go for DeX - for anything but the most common "phone" uses, she still prefers MS. I, for one, have found Continuum very useful and use it daily - especially when on travel (kinda convenient that I can plug into any hotel TV). W10 on ARM will only make this better (MS Visio). There is no doubt that Samsung makes a great phone (it's Android that I have no patience for), but I still do think that MS is well poised and has a great opportunity ahead.
  • I use continuum daily on the 950XL to connect to my workstation via RDP from remote locations. This is a killer feature that had some of my co-workers and  clients/partners explore the HP Elite as their next device. Now it looks like they could do the same using RDP from the S8....
  • I wish I could, our office remote is either with a special VPN which require to enter an RSA code (couldn't find necessary VPN thing for W10M) or through Citrix but Citrix Receiver doesn't work in Continuum...
  • Bottom Line: DeX is a waist of time for Samsung/Google. When was the last time you walked into any work space, consumers home set up and seen Android running as their desktop? Never, right! So, it's safe to say that Continuum is safe in that regards in possible implementation in that future Market. Samsung may sell more phones than Microsoft or It's partners but there will be more Continuum users than DeX users. So, let's get back to this new Kool feature DeX right 🤔
  • "Another significant problem that Microsoft faces, and that DeX does not directly address, is "classic" Win32 desktop apps." Umm. Umm. Umm. How many people still care about Win32 desktop apps. With few exceptions, the bulk of people's modern computing can be handled through the cloud or through newly written dedicated apps. Win32 is a legacy piece that's restricted to the Microsoft desktop ecosystem. Since 99% of the world's portable computers run a non-Microsoft operating system Win32 really is irrelevant. You've got to remember that Apple's iPhone has been out for a decade. In that time Apple's iOS and Google Android ecosystem have upended computing. Microsoft, though late to the game, now realises they better come out with a mobile operating system that works on a small form factor. They've got a long road ahead of them still but Microsoft does have deep pockets to keep them in the game. The future of computing is no longer with the desktop. It is very much with mobile. High end 2017 mobile phones are more powerful than high end 2007 desktops and cost half or less than those desktops did in 2007. And, those phones weigh a fraction of the mass and use a fraction of the energy of those high end desktops. In recent years advances in desktop computing have in many ways stagnated. Computers are fast enough to handle current and even near-future software demands acceptably. Making current chip and software more power efficient is where research has been focused and it has paid dividends. Apple was the first major manufacturer to work wonders with battery life on the desktop and others have now followed suit. But, that's on the desktop. In the mobile sphere it means that SoC/mobile processors have become much faster and more power efficient at the same time. We now can run similar high end processors in laptops as on desktops. It won't be long before mobile processors get uncomfortably close to desktop processors. At that point, perhaps Microsoft will have a winner on its hands with Continuum/UWP, but, that's still years away. Apple and Google/Android make good coin off mobile devices and aren't about to let Microsoft squeak up the middle. You can be sure they're scheming away on the sidelines as to how to keep the mobile user locked into their ecosystem.
  • 99%?!? Really? Where did you come up with that number? I could go take a sample set in my neighborhood and am pretty sure I wouldn't get 99%.
  • To have a phone be used to replace a laptop/desktop once in Continuum, it needs to support Win32, period.  Otherwise it just becomes a tablet without touch screen (no touchscreen through Continuum yet).
  • Not sure what you mean by "without touchscreen".  I connect via Continuum from my 950 XL to my (three-year-old) Aspire V5 and use the touch screen on the laptop without problem.  
  • I use my Continuum Dock with my 950XL when I travel. I used to bring my Surface PRO. Now when I pack I make sure I pack a HDMI cable. I just plug everything up to the hotels TV and use Groove Music, The Hulu App or Edge for browsing (& Netflix). Works great for the most part.
  • I really like the way you always write your articles Daniel. I'm reading your articles for a couple of years already. You have an excellent market and product / solution knowledge, you always do a proper analysis and you know how to describe and defend the strong points of Microsoft Mobile better than Microsoft themselves. On top of this you always give a real and honnest opinion. Satya should really hire you for Windows Mobile Marketing
  • He'll! They should hire ANYBODY for marketing!
  •   Like I've said before, this solution only has to be good enough to make continuum an after thought for most people. When I first saw continuum, I thought this is a way for me to give my kids their own phone and computer all at the same time. My daughter was super excited when I showed her that youtube video of continuum.   It's clear to me each time Samsung or Apple stands up on stage and uses a Microsoft product to promote a feature that directly competes with a feature in Windows, that Microsoft has moved on pass Operating Systems and are fully committed to being a service oriented cloud company. Honestly I think it's smart. #AzureCentral #CloudCentral  
  • It started. Changes...
  • It's not a PC, so that's the end of the discussion. Only MS can make it be a PC
  • It's not a PC, so that's the end of the discussion. Only MS can make it be a PC
  • Great Analysis!
    I for one think this makes for a great advertisement for Microsoft's continuum. A large number of Samsung owners realizing such a technology exists and then realizing it only makes sense with Win32 apps can help Microsoft grow its ecosystem with technologies Windows on ARM, CShell, Continuum.
  • It's starting... New battlefield.
  • no matter who makes it or what kind of device has it, this won't be a killer feature, like ever. it is aimed for enterprise users and regular users will never have any essential use for it.
    So let's give the flag to Microsoft because security is the main thing in enterprises, and security sucks, deeply, in android devices
  •   Good article but I disagree. It's a slam dunk for all of us fans of Windows Mobile ---your core readership basically--- who were waiting for these features to be as nicely implemented. Seriously, that S8 rocks. My mom, my wife and kids may not be attracted to these DeX and Bixby things but us, hardcore Windows Phone fans... you bet! For the first time ever I consider switching.  I'll wait a few more months bu MS have to come with something solid this time... And I know I'm not the only one on that mindset.
  • I'm right with you.  Having watched the launch event, I'm in awe of that handset.  It "feels" like a generational gap has just been jumped.  My 950XL is cowering in my front jeans pocket ... and rightly so.  I can only imagine the skunkworks at Microsoft are poring over the S8 details, trying to work out how they're going to compete.  I really, really hope they're ticking a pile of boxes that indicate the Surface Not-A-Phone is better equipped.
  • More likely MS are poring over the S8, figuring out how much the R&D would have cost, and patting themselves on the back on how they believe they spent that money better on something else while W10M withers on the vine.
  • As soon as they make a tablet/notebook dock game over.  I mean one where you can slide your phone into a larger display.
  • So the headline article in my Microsoft-owned LinkedIn digest email this morning reads : "Samsung is taking on Apple with a smartphone that doubles as a PC, and a Siri killer named Bixby. Here's what people are saying." See?  Nothing to worry about.  Samsung aren't taking on Microsoft at all with this stuff.  I'm sure the iris/retina scanning isn't targetting Microsoft.  And the fact Adobe is the OTHER major launch partner (was that missed in the WC articles?) shouldn't detract from the excitement of running full-fat desktop Photoshop on our Windows on Arm unicorns either, should it? I'm betting those thinner bezels and new screen tech won't be crazy-good in the Galaxy VR headsets as well.  So Microsoft don't need to sweat any future aspirations of leading the VR market, either. Seriously, Microsoft really, really need to BRING IT, and soon.    
  • UWP is dead, all the devs will go away now. How many bulls*** !!! Only one month ago Nadella said they were committed to WP !!
  • Microsoft is releasing a windows version of the S8. Does that mean DEX will work or will it be continuum? Edit: Damn, I misunderstood it.
  • They are not releasing a S8 that runs windows. The ones sold at the Microsoft store will still run Android but have all Microsoft services preinstalled.
  • I think that Google needs to drive this effort if it is to be successful. You'll end up with 4 different manufacturers trying to build similar solutions from 4 different specifications.
  • Microsoft's new Windows10 on ARMS CPU's software and the Redstone 3 updates is when we will se a true Windows 10 smart phone / hybrid Pocket PC. Restone 3 update was scheduled for fall 2017 (September). The latest Microsoft Mini Tablet patents however could indicate that Microsoft May make an AMRS CPU Surface  foldable dual screen Mini tablet / Smart phone hybrid device. such a device woud sell well enough in the maeket place to justify having it manufactured and sold especially if it could run full Win 32 desktop Programs using the windows 10 on ARMS software.what Microsoft windows smart phone Fans users like myself want is for Microsoft to at least makes their own version of HP Elite X3 or samsung Galaxy S8 to replace the MS Lumia 950 and 950 XL that debut 17 months ago. if microsoft wont make it's own smart phones using it's own Windows 10 mobile OS they wont be a serious smartphone source to some people  
  • Most win32 software runs badly without a keyboard and mouse.Some runs okay, on a decent enough sized screen with some rescaling, but generally its not going to be ideal for some folding pocket thing. The current cost of folding OLED screens is in the thousands of dollars. Despite yes, all the share patents from the co-development with Samsung, the technology they actually need to sell these things is a better way of making graphene. And that will likely be some years off.
  • BiXby and DeXter sound like losers.
  • If Samsung embraces Windows 10 on ARM whenever it becomes available and provides it as an update on their Smartphones (or perhaps on the Note 8), the only reason I'll have left to ever consider a Windows Phone is if it can literally replace my Surface Pro 2 with a Laptop/Tablet dock. Other than that, the potential for Windows Phones would be literally dead as something like that would be bringing the best of a Smartphone OS (Android) and the best of a Tablet/Laptop/Desktop OS (Windows) in 1 device... Better hurry it up Microsoft, I thought I could wait forever for the Surface Phone while I use Android, as Android is nothing but a joke on any screen bigger than Smartphone. But if Samsung merges the best of Android with the best of Windows in 1 device, a Surface Phone would be DOA IMO, unless it brings a whole new level of performance in a Smartphone form-factor...
  •   Microsoft is a software company. They use their hardware essentially as a software demo, so other hardware manufacturers will make devices with their software. This is what microsoft publically says. Windows phone was an anomaly from a CEO who didn't follow microsofts MO. If samsung makes (actually _when samsung makes), a microsoft windows 10 win32 emu on ARM phone, it will be exactly what microsoft wants. And they will because a) samsung is extremely freindly with microsoft, microsoft helped them out with DEX by making their software DEX compliant, they both co-developed the graphene OLED screen and co-own the patent. b) Every big company with an android flagship will likely make a windows 10 phone. You will not however see a dual boot OS on any major manufacturer. Small chinese companies have been doing this for years, and every time a big company does it, they get their licenses revoked. Google and Microsoft do not want to share hardware with two OSs. They want to be the one OS.
  • If Samsung makes a Windows phone, it IS a Windows phone. Microsoft is a software company.
  • I went to Samsung's Galaxy S8 page. It points out all of the phone's new features, but it doesn't even mention Dex. No one outside of power users and tech nerds will even know about the feature.
  • Loved that multi tasking , and this is ver 1 , I don't have idea when my Lumia 950 will be able to do that. For god sake's Microsoft
  • Most of what you say is yet to be tested in the real world, DeX is not even out the gate yet. If there is no market then what do you say about Microsofts efforts. Alot of people talk about scaling of android apps as if its set in stone and cannot change in the future. Samsung is not even a software company but the way they have done the first iteration of DeX shows a commitment currently lacking on our platform
  • Great perceptive.
    Apps are not the future, when building a "browser based" solution is scalable on all devices and is compatible with almost all screen sizes. (said from a non dev, so I may be wrong).
    I have been testing and using continuum exclusively on my 950 for about 2 months, keeping my company laptop in my bag...so far my only problem is skype for business is not UWP and it's used as our internal messaging app. This feature is still very niche and as such it will cost. If you are investing in a flagship you are part of a niche market. Either way DeX is another great step toward the future of mobile.
  • Dear Daniel, why DeX is a terrible name? I think it's a pretty cool shortening!
    Talking about its features, DeX already have things that Continuum don't so far, like multi window and very well designed desktop-like interface. I mean if you don't pay attention to the task bar you probably will not note that's an Android powered interface. And let's remind that the Microsoft solution is two years old. Shame on you Continuum you fool full-screen only! Plus, I guess HP didn't like to know Microsoft has helped Samsung to build a feature that's looks to be better than Microsoft's own solution which is the one HP uses to promote its Elite x3. But Continuum have its ace in the hole as you well wrote, UWP. And there are many devs working to make its apps universal, as any Windows 10 user can notice by checking its library at the Store
  • DeX sounds pretty promising if you are a user of VDI or Citrix environment. Definitely, sounds like a nice convenient way to just pop you phone into DeX then launch your VDI and interact with your phone apps at the same time.  HP's Elite X unfortunately failed to have this work in Continnum because when we lauch Citrix it forces is back to open on the mobile device instead of the display monitor which ultimately was useless. I hope they have fixed this by now as this was an early demo unit we tried and quickly returned after seeing that happen. Plus with the lack of apps in the app store of Windows phones the device itself is pretty useless.  So is it worth the premium price to include a DeX dock? It can be especially if you're still an Enterprise customer for AT&T where they still offer 2 year contract pricing it makes it more worth while vs the HP/Continuum solution.
  • It is promising, but given the buy in cost for Continuum (950) there is a huge cost advantage to MS