This is Microsoft's canceled Andromeda OS running on a Lumia 950

Always wondered what Microsoft's canceled version of Windows for the Surface Duo was going to be like? Well wonder no more, every bit nosotros've got a commencement hands-on look at a pre-release build from mid-2018 running on a Lumia 950. We've already shown you what Andromeda OS looked similar in recreated mockups, so now it's fourth dimension to run across the real thing running on video.

Earlier we begin, I should make a few things clear. Firstly, Andromeda OS was never intended to transport on the Lumia 950, or whatever Windows phone on the market at that time. The reason nosotros're using a 950 here is because Microsoft really used them to help develop Andromeda OS internally, and then there are "official" images of the Os for that device. These images were never intended to ship.

Secondly, Andromeda OS is a canceled projection. This isn't in active development, as work on the projection was postponed in 2022 and never picked up again. Proceed that in listen, as I don't desire people to think this is something Microsoft is currently working on internally for a hereafter Surface Duo, because it isn't. Android is what volition exist powering whatever time to come Surface Duo devices.

Finally, because Andromeda Os was canceled, that also means it was never finished. As such, the build you're seeing in this article is of pre-release quality, and in a very rough country. The UI and feature set is unfinished, though I do believe at that place'south enough here to become an thought equally to what Microsoft was envisioning when it was edifice out this OS.

If you'd like to know more about the history of Surface Duo and its origins with Windows, be sure to check out my in-depth write upward on the bailiwick.

Andromeda Os hands-on

Source: Windows Central

Microsoft decided to do something rather unique with Andromeda Bone, and build out OS feel around a journaling/inking experience. On the lockscreen, the user is able to brainstorm taking notes directly onto the lockscreen UI just by putting pen to screen. You lot don't accept to initiate a special mode, or enter an app beginning, only have your Surface Pen and begin writing, and the lockscreen will shop that ink for yous to see every fourth dimension you unlock your device.

This is a super interesting idea, as essentially the lockscreen sail becomes a whiteboard for quick notes and ideas as you go about your mean solar day. Information technology removes any barriers between the user and the ability to take notes, as there's no process involved with having to unlock your phone and find the app or way required to enable to you have those notes in the starting time identify. Merely brainstorm writing on the lockscreen, and you're good to become.

Source: Windows Central

Unlocking the device would accept you to your home screen, which on Andromeda OS is another inking canvas. This canvas is called the Journal (though this later became the Microsoft Whiteboard app) which acted equally a digital notebook with the ability to have notes with a pen, add viscid notes, insert images and 3D objects, and more. The Journal experience would always exist running in the background, with your phone apps running above it.

Andromeda OS was as well gesture based. The on-screen Outset and Cortana buttons would disappear when opening an app to provide a full-screen experience, so to access those areas, you'd swipe in from the left for Get-go, and from the correct for Cortana, which is also where your notifications were stored. Yeah, Cortana and your Notifications were one of the same on Andromeda OS, with Cortana becoming your "manager" of notifications missed or stored for dealing with later.

Source: Windows Central

A swipe downwards from the top would reveal the Command Center, which is feature that's now shipping on Windows xi, just started life here on Andromeda OS. Feature-wise, it'due south exactly the same, with the power to command things like Wi-Fi, effulgence, volume, and music playback. It likewise features Fluent Blueprint acrylic blur effects, equally do many other parts of the UI, even in this unfinished country.

In fact, even with the unfinished software, I recollect information technology's clear that Microsoft was going to use the beauty of Fluent Blueprint quite heavily on Andromeda Bone. Seeing those subtle mistiness effects in UI areas similar the lockscreen brand me wish Windows on phones were able to hang on a few more years. Windows 10 Mobile actually kicked the saucepan before it got a risk to adopt Fluent Design interfaces and modern gestures.

Source: Windows Fundamental

There was as well an experimental "Radial UX Menu" way, where instead of gestures swiping in things like Kickoff and Cortana, swiping would present you with a UI total of circular buttons for things like Beginning, switching apps, and more. This may have been an culling to on-screen navigation, as non everyone was familiar with full gesture navigation at the fourth dimension just withal. Or, it could have been an alternative method of navigation for when you were using a pen. Who knows.

I matter we're not able to bear witness you is the Continuum mode that Microsoft was also working on for Andromeda OS, equally unfortunately information technology appears to exist broken in the build nosotros have. That said, we practise know what it was going to be similar. Substantially, Microsoft was building out Continuum to exist a truthful desktop experience, with windowed app experiences, the power to store icons on the desktop, and more.

Final thoughts

Source: Windows Primal

It's very interesting to come across how like, nonetheless unlike the user experience is on Surface Duo with Android compared to what Microsoft was building with Windows. The whole inking and journal thing is certainly not a focus point on Surface Duo with Android, whereas it was the bespeak on Andromeda.

However, there are small UI and UX things here on Andromeda Os that did brand the spring to Android, including the date and fourth dimension layout on the lockscreen, the multitasking UI, and the animations and interaction model involved with running apps side by side in dual-screen mode.

If at that place'south anything I want Microsoft to copy from Andromeda Bone and port over to Android on the Surface Duo, it's the lockscreen inking feature. Existence able to care for the lockscreen as a whiteboard/inking canvas without having to enter a special style or app kickoff is a genius idea. It reduces the cognitive load required to accept notes on a digital device. But take the pen and write, no demand to think about it.

Read: 5 reasons why Microsoft canceling Andromeda was the right choice

Once again, the Andromeda OS project is canceled. It'southward non in development, and is never going to transport. The Surface Duo is now an Android device, and Microsoft is all-in on embracing Android as a first party experience on that device.

Special thanks to @gus33000 on Twitter for helping me become this build upwardly and running.

UH OH

An internet connection will shortly exist required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft has appear that later this twelvemonth, users volition be required to connect to the internet and sign-in with a Microsoft Account during the out of box setup feel on Windows 11 Pro. Microsoft has already been enforcing this requirement on Windows eleven Dwelling since launch last October, and Windows xi Pro is now expected to follow suit before long.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/andromeda-os-hands-video

Posted by: cooperinctureniou.blogspot.com

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