Rumours of a dual-screened tablet/phone from Microsoft refuse to die. Initially sustained by a series of patents, we then had reports that the device is actually in testing inside Microsoft, and reports that Microsoft was creating a Journal pen-based note taking app to act as the main user interface of the device.
Now we have more evidence that the project is still real, with Microsoft watcher WalkingCat finding references to a dual-screened Journal application in Microsoft’s new Whiteboard app.
for comparision, this is for the Whiteboard app itself:
"This is the accessibility title for the whiteboard application which is a single large canvas for creation with a chrome toolbar at the bottom"— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) December 8, 2017
Numerous Microsoft officials have hinted at a game-changing category-defining device coming from Microsoft, and there does appear to be some momentum for folding smartphones from numerous companies. There is also a rumour that Microsoft will be licensing out the design and technology to their OEMs, meaning more than one device may be on the way.
If the device is more tablet than phone it may have good acceptance as a version of an always-connected tablet, but as a replacement for a smartphone, Microsoft will, unfortunately, continue to suffer issues due to the app gap.
Either way, we should see more about the device leak out over the next few months as Microsoft presumably prepares Windows 10 to support it.
Via thewincentral