Welcome to the ninth episode of Ask Windows Central, a show where we answer our community's most asked questions around Microsoft, Windows, Surface, Xbox, and the general tech industry. In today's episode, we answer questions about WCOS and Surface Neo, the M1 Pro and Max, and the Insider Beta Channel.
Windows 10X was a new version of Windows that has been built from the ground up for new PCs, and was supposed to begin shipping on hardware in 2021. It's built on top of a new modern version of Windows called 'Windows Core OS' that guts legacy components and features in favor of contemporary user experiences and enhanced security. Unfortunately, Microsoft has postponed the project.
An early build of Polaris, a canceled SKU of Windows Core OS, has leaked online. The build is from early 2018, and includes nothing but the bare core OS, meaning there's no composer (shell) or apps present. Windows Core OS is a modern version of Windows that powers HoloLens 2 and the upcoming Windows 10X, and has been in the works for many years.
Microsoft is planning to ship new Surface hardware in the first half of 2021 in the form of an updated Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with new processors and more RAM options. According to my sources, these new devices will feature the same external designs as their previous generation counterparts, with no major design changes expected.
Here at Windows Central, we've been following Microsoft's Surface Duo project for quite some time. We first wrote about Microsoft's dual-screen pocket PC efforts under the codename Andromeda in 2017, and I had started hearing about the project a considerable time before then. It was originally going to be a Windows device, and kickstart Microsoft's mobile efforts with a brand new, modern version of Windows built specifically for this new form factor.
Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, has today published a new blog post that details his thinking behind the future of Windows, and how Microsoft can innovate with Windows 10X going forward. Panay was recently put in charge of the Windows client in addition to his hardware responsibilities, allowing him greater control of both the hardware and software that Microsoft ships.
Microsoft has finally addressed the whereabouts of it's mythical Surface Hub 2X device, which was announced in 2018 as coming in 2020 with a new OS that enabled unique features such as tiling, dynamic rotation, and more. In a webinar aimed at customers and resellers, Microsoft says that focus has shifted over to delivering the 85-inch Surface Hub 2S, and that it doesn't anticipate releasing a Surface Hub 2X this year.
Microsoft's Surface Hub 2X hasn't been talked about since its initial announcement in late 2018. In fact, it's not been seen since then either. What's going on with it? Is it dead? We've done some digging and found some interesting information.
Trying to keep up with Microsoft's internal Windows Core OS (WCOS) project is no easy task. Even we find it difficult to keep up with all the different codenames, plans, and changes being made to Windows with Windows Core OS. So, to try and keep things in line we've compiled this ultimate guide for Windows Core OS, CShell, and everything in between.
Windows is now operating under Azure's development schedule, which means OS updates are expected to be done sooner than in the past. Windows 10's 20H1 release will be the first to be done under Azure, and its RTM build is expected as early as December.
Internal Microsoft documentation has revealed new details around Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10X operating system announced earlier this month for foldable PCs. The documentation reveals minor details around some of the user experience changes and enhancements you can expect to see on Windows 10X, and also confirms what I've been hearing about how Windows 10X will also be made...
Last week, Microsoft unveiled Surface Duo, a pocketable dual-screen mobile device that's coming at the end of next year. This is a project we at Windows Central have been following for almost three years under the internal codename "Andromeda." Initially positioned as a Windows Core OS device, Surface Duo will now be shipping as an Android device instead, a move that few of us were expecting, but is absolutely the right call.
Centaurus is the rumored device we're all very interested in. It's a new form factor for Windows, featuring a dual-screen design and a new user experience to match. Also rumored is the ability to run Android apps, which has been of much discussion in the community following this project closely. We want to know what you think in our latest poll.
Microsoft is holding a hardware event on October 2 in New York City, and word on the rumor mill is that Microsoft is planning to take the wraps off its first foldable PC, codenamed Centaurus. This is a big deal for many reasons; it's the first new Surface PC form factor since the Surface Laptop, and it's also the first device to ship with Microsoft's new modern OS known as Windows Core OS.
Multiple mentions of Windows Core OS have been spotted in a Windows 10 support document from Microsoft.
This week on the Windows Central Podcast: Microsoft leaks Windows Lite bits, a new Xbox Dashboard is coming soon, and much more
Can Windows Lite be the savior that Office UWP needs? A lightweight OS experience complemented by a lightweight Office experience could be the way to go, and the UWP apps are already suited for that.
Upcoming Windows devices might have the ability to run Android apps, but which Android apps would help Windows the most? We have some thoughts.
Could the ability to run Android apps on Windows Core OS help it succeed? It's possible.
Apple's iPadOS is mostly in name right now, but it shows the company is pivoting to make the iPad a serious contender for modern "light" computing. With trackpad and mouse support more people will see it as an alternative to Surface. And what about Windows Lite, Windows on ARM - will it matter? All that but a robust discussion on UWP, JavaScript and Electron on this episode of #AskDanWindows.