Google Powers Striking Surface Update from Microsoft

Microsoft is rolling out the long-awaited Android 12L update for the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 devices. The dual-screen devices have always been a curious middle ground between an Android smartphone and a Windows desktop. With the additional features that 12L offers, both sides of this separation have been improved, making the duo stronger.

Commonly known as Android 12L, this update to Android is mostly focused on tablets, foldable and dual-screen devices like Microsoft’s Surface Duo.

Surface Duo users will see many changes on their handset, although this will likely be due to the move from Android 11 to Android 12. Not only does this keep the Android version up to date – which is much appreciated for security and app updates – it also increases the Surface Duo’s utility to run more Android apps without a hitch. From Microsoft’s blog post on the update:

“The new UI updates we’re releasing today are focused on building stronger connections between Windows and Duo and promoting familiarity through visuals and coherence.

Take a strong example that could have an immediate impact; gmail Previously, Gmail was only usable on a single screen of the Duo; Once you moved to span both screens, the app was unaware of the central gap, resulting in some text being cut off and some text sitting on a small portion of the left screen. Now you can stretch Gmail across two screens, and the code — which hooks into Android’s display code — will react to its surroundings, placing navigation entirely on the left and content entirely on the right.

Gmail isn’t alone in this, Google Calendar now offers a split view on the Duo rather than a single tablet-style screen stretching across the hinge, and no doubt there are countless other apps now adapting. This isn’t because the developers are explicitly targeting the duo; Instead, they use best practices to talk about Android code with a display… this is where 12L makes a big difference.

Google didn’t do this out of the goodness of their hearts. These changes impact a wide range of larger-screen devices that use Android, creating a more cohesive ecosystem and platform that developers can trust and will have universal appeal

Nor is Microsoft sitting back and waiting for Google to offer its code. Many of the changes built into Android 12L were added through the Android Open Source Project, and the developers at Microsoft made many code-based additions.

However, you’ve gotten to that point, Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 owners have just seen their devices receive an update that will allow them to keep up with other Android devices and expand the software that can be used on their devices.

Microsoft has also taken the opportunity to tweak the user interface and presentation on the Surface Duo platform to bring it closer to Windows 11. Given the dual-screen and multitasking approach used on the Duo, and the renewed emphasis on multitasking in Windows 11 due to the presence of multiple windows and preferred layouts, it makes sense that Microsoft would ensure that on the various There is consistency across devices, be it background image and font, app layout, iconography and inking.

The Android 12L update is now rolling out across the platform. Those with unlocked devices should see it under the usual update screen in settings; those with network-locked devices may have to wait a little longer.

Now read more about the latest potential Surface Duo design patented by Microsoft.