After I filmed this, Microsoft announced Phone Link is gaining the ability to use your Android device as a webcam. No mention of their own Android device.
It seemed to me that microsoft created a solid B+ in terms of hardware device paired it with a F in software worked on the software to get it to a C and instead of going one more adding the wireless charging making the screens edge to edge and outting a newer chip in their to get the hardware to A tier and then work on the software a little more they could of had something truly special. instead they did 90% of the work and called it a day.
This is why I have called Microsoft a 9 yard company. They always go nine yards and fumble the ball. I still have my Duo 2, I can't bring myself to sell it. It always feels good when I pick it up and use it. 😢
Its appears all about motivation and belief in the product imo , Microsoft just doesn't want to be bothered with the surface duo , it sppears from Microsofts lack of enthusiasm and support , they see it as a fail and cant be bothered . As always , that lack of will and commitment to. improve something , and foresight and imagination that is often the ultimate fail and not the actual product , Sadly we see this with many products on the market over the years when we remember with some sadness a product with huge potential that just faded away .
The Duos worked perfectly as originally envisioned, as an intermediate mobile device that bridges those gaps between “phone tasks” and “computer tasks”. Perfect for travel, cafes, or the couch while your phone is still nearby as a personal communicator.
I’m a photographer and recently had my first solo exhibitions. Almost every photo was edited using my Surface Duo with my grouped One Drive + PhotoShop Express. Even included some photos taken on my Duo. Such an amazing device and I haven’t had any issues or glitches that everyone complained about. I use it everyday and it is a great tool for creatives on the go. Love this device.
Ha. I had mine in a cabinet and it caught my eye just this morning so I pulled it out and charged it up. Breaks my heart. My favorite flawed phone of all time. :( So elegant. I wish they also sold a version that was half the Duo 1. Why are phones sooo chunky? Looking at you Samsung and google folds!
I am still using Duo 1, and tried to shift to the recent new foldable devices, but it seems still duo is the best for whose looking for business device
I recently got a OnePlus Open. Good phone, but honestly, the Surface Duo form factor, the two screens is just better. It really is a shame that Microsoft abandoned the Surface Duo line.
Yeah, there is something about slapping those two screens open and going to work that is just so satisfying. I'm also on the Open now. Objectively it's a better device but the Duo was just brilliant, flaws and all.
After 40+ years of working with Microsoft, Microsoft is not now, and never will be, a hardware company. That's why most folks have never heard of the Surface Duo.
The Duo 2 is an amazing device that meets a very distinct user need.. I am incredulous that they have ditched a device that has such potential and which aligns so perfectly with their purpose of 'enabling everyone to achieve more'.. It is a productivity powerhouse.. I have never owned a phone this old before, and that's because nothing on the market comes close (for this use case).. So, in the absence of hope for a Duo 3, I have high hopes for the pixel fold 2
I've said many times...my Duo2 is used daily and still on my desk at work. I am not holding out hope for Duo 3 but I am interested in the potential Spring Surface event.
Spotted the words 'Surface Duo 2', which I was looking forward to buying but ditched as grief re upgrade(s) grew and Panos left MS. Couldn't resist having a peek at what you were saying. It was like scratching an old scab. Went to S24 Ultra, S9 Ultra. As I said at the time, MS lost a lot of business. Even if they backtracked and revitalised an SD3, I wouldn't trust them anymore. Thanks, though, for the update video.
I keep thinking of pulling away to a new device, Pixel Fold, OnePlus Open, heck, even Oneplus 12R. But everytime Shane comes back to Surface Duo content and giving new praises, I keep thinking I'm glad I stayed using it as my current SIM device.
same here . I almost went to a onePlus 12R. I shattered the front glass cover (why glass???), and two days later I'm gluing it with Locktite Glass Glue. I can't quit my Duo 2. I love and hate this all at the same time. LOL
What I love about my Surface Duo over a single folding screen design like a Pixel Fold is how it sort of forces you to use or get acclimated to using both screens and the benefits of spanning apps as well as side by side multitasking that me personally I know I'd be less inclined to use in that manner if I am using a Pixel Fold with a perfectly acceptable front/cover display. But for me, the flip side to this is that it's very hard from a practical day to day perspective to use a Surface Duo as my daily driver, believe me, I have tried, it's too cumbersome, too unwieldy of a form factor, not to mention leaving the device open at all times to easily turn the display on or accept a call/view a notification compared to a slab style phone is a frustrating experience. But as a secondary device, which is what I bought it for and as my chill device to use in bed and winding down on the couch in the evening, I love it for that and the hardware feel in the hand is still one of the best I've ever held.
They have two choices then make a single candy bar style phone or a foldable device. However the brands seems like they don't care which is a shame. Even the duo Series should continue to live.
Just to let you know, recently my Surface Duo 2 stopped charging my Microsoft Slim Pen. I contacted Microsoft's support team (not expecting much as the warranty finished long ago) but they were incredibly helpful, they have offered to replace my Surface Duo 2 with another of the same spec (no idea how as they can't have many left in stock - probably refurbished) and they have also told me that they would send me another pen charging case free of charge in case the fault lies with that too! I was absolutely shocked and have nothing but amazing things to say about them (haven't received the new one to be sure yet though). I hope they continue to look after their customers in this way and have seriously gone up in my estimations. Well done Microsoft... Fingers crossed the new one works as expected!.. they weren't allowed to bump me up to a higher spec memory version though.. can't have everything I guess 😁
i have both a Pixel Fold and a Galaxy Z Fold 5 and went back to my Surface Duo 2 three months ago b/c the Surface Duo 2 with dual screen gives me superior multitasking. Unfortunately, I will likely have to cease using my Surface Duo 2 in October since that is when MS will stop all support/security updates.
I have it on my watch list Mr. Mobiles video on the Palm Pre! How you feel about Microsoft treating the Surface Duo is how I feel about HP treating WebOS and the TouchPad when they acquired it. If they had stuck with it, it could have easily been a major competitor to the iPad (the things it did are still better than today's tablets) and the phones were always held back by hardware, kind of like Duo. If they could have gotten the hardware and bugs addressed, it would have easily held up on its own. I remember in 2011 trying multiple Android phones and the iPhone4, only to return or sell them and rock the Pre 2 for as long as I could. I even rocked a Pre 3 as my secondary phone for a while. I think I am avoiding watching Mr. Mobile's video because my emotions will range from sadness to anger and back again each minute. I need to be prepared to watch it lol.
I've been saying this constantly, Microsoft needs to develop a Duo Launcher for folding screens and Android tablets. The function of using two screens on a tablet size foldable display is unique to the Duo concept. Charge a premium price for it and continue to improve the UI along with the copilot feature, I don't care. There has to be a resolve for those who bought into the Surface Duo if Microsoft is abandoning the hardware, there is nothing keeping them from developing the software except their own short sightedness.
@@Walrondrm that's the thing. One plus stealing the concept would just be a clone of Duo UI but if Microsoft can just port the launcher over for Android and tweak it for single displays that fold, it would be very profitable for them without investing in hardware.
Duos are advertised in México, for more than I paid in the US. Each time I am tempted, Shane comes along with a new crumb of goodness to stop me thinking about selling! I still prefer the split screen to the folding single screen but the Duo does have lots of quirks, fat finger effects etc, as every owner knows. Thanks for the video!
Oh yeah, if something happened and folding glass phones didn't exist anymore, I would 100% be putting my main SIM back in my Surface Duo... yes the original one. And yes even with that camera.
Absolutely agree, that's exactly how I see it too. The SD2 is also my best phone I've ever had. I don't warm up to foldables. I use the P8P because of the camera and because the A14 has relevant advantages over the A12.
GOTgoodoldtech gave a shout-out to your channel in his last video. I see why now, you think a lot alike. I'm a subscriber now. Thaanks for the video. I want Microsoft to continue what they started.
What a great take as usual. I'm curious to know if OneNote on the Fold shows all recent notes as tiles because it doesnt on the Duo which seems perfect for the form factor. I think Google Keep is doing it better currently which frustrates me a little as OneNote in the Pixel 8 Pro is so much more aesthetic. Onenote is a dogs breakfast on laptop and Tablet also (dors not even display recent notes). Disappointingly unuseable
I have both versions of the Duo and I will not be moving on until they both completely die. There's just nothing compelling enough about current folding phones to make me want to switch. The only thing they really do better is showing content on a large screen which I have a tablet/laptop for anyways.
Hey Shane. Since the suface duo 1 has reached the end of support from microsoft, how long before At&t shuts off network service like they did with blackgerry phones? Thanks
For the same reasons I reverted back to stock Rom after my experimenting with Android 14 on my SD2. I don't find anything which is as 'professional' as SD2.
So sad. I still think MS had something great on its hands. The Duo just needed time and some faith. I also still think they should've put an e-ink screen on the outside.
Our best hope for the Duo is for another company to realize the potential of dual screens and pick it up. I think someone else will do it eventually. I'm kinda feeling we might see another wave of interesting form factors again like the early days. AI has advanced enough that the phone is ready to be re-imagined. Personally I would love something more like the surface neo with 7-9" displays.
Edge is my favorite browser, and not by a little. I can't really explain what makes it so much better than chrome but whenever I am on a new device and chrome is the default then after a few hours I realize the browser isnt as great as it should be. After installing Edge, all is well. Maybe it's a fraction of a second faster or the interface is more engaging, whatever it is, it just works.
I feel the same... exactly the same. Duo 2 is my everyday phone and I know that one day I will have to replace it with something else and I have no clue how I will then be satisfied by any single screen phone or foldable. Microsoft did abandon us... once again.
I dont understand , why no folding phone emulate 2 screens with a toggle switch from one lagre screen in to 2 virtual ones. A bit like the Axon M. I loved that phone so much, now they are displayed as a trio in my display wall, Duo 1& 2 and the Axon M
I've been hunting for months, finally saw one for 500 and nabbed it last week, keep checking swappa and FB marketplace. Had bad luck on ebay, lots of mislabeled listings for duo 1s or units in sketchy condition.
still using my SD2 as my daily driver and couldn't agree more. The software and app situation is MUCH better...but it could have been SO MUCH MORE refined if only Microsoft had gotten its house in order on its mobile strategy.
I had the choice to buy a Fold5 or Duo 2. Ended up with the Fold, but part of me regrets it a bit. Obviously it was probably the best decision due to the updates, but the form factor looks more ideal.
Still usingmy Duo 2. I almost bought the OP Open when it had a discount after being finally offered in Germany but I didn't pull the trigger. Maybe on the next discount... My Duo 2 is now slowly starting to suffer from the brittle USB-C port :(
From last two years have been using fold 4 and 5 but to this day i miss my duo 2 so much . I wish Microsoft would have supported this .its so sad and i hate them for this .
I think that the Duo 2 is in fact better then the Pixel Fold. it has better hardware and better overall software the way that they work together. sadly the things that pixel dose better is the support for features from google. the duo 2 is just dang near a perfect phone, i dropped mine and can not make or get calls it seems to have messed with the antenna and the ear speaker, i want to buy another one, but the prices are just nuts. it breaks my heart, i miss the pen support. i miss the dual screen set up. the overall function of the duo is better as a widescreen, you have to open the phone to use it, you have more of a reason to use the whole phone. when it comes to the pixel i almost never opens it up its gimmick i have no reason to use, the duo was and is better, its so sad that it is dead.
Well I feel betrayed by a company that is supposed to be environmentally responsible. Just discovered today, that my less than 2 1/2 year old duo 2 is non-repairable, my battery is not lasting like it did, so tried opening a service & repair at Microsoft, and they no longer service the phone!, so I called them and they say they only replace phones, that they are non serviceable! and that they don't have units anymore! and I ask her so if I wanted a battery replacement how much would have cost me, and the lady says since its out of warranty the same as a new phone, but again we don't have stock. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS COMPANY! so much e-waste and such a loss, ($1700 !) a perfectly working phone, to the trash because they designed this device to not be repairable, you cant even find batteries anywhere!. Please bring this up to the attention of people!
I'm completely sick of the current breed of flagships. I so wish a Surface Duo or similar would be introduced to break through the slumber of the industry.
I just keep coming back to Duo 2 even though I also have the Oneplus Open. As good as the Oneplus is... DUO 2 just feels better. I share your thoughts on why Microsoft abandoned Duo 2???
I always thought the Surface Duos were nifty little devices that MS never followed through with. If they had, it could've been a contender against Samsung's flips and folds.
Totally unrelated here Shane but I'm just wondering where oxygen 14 is for OnePlus open ???🤔🤔 Also I've preordered OnePlus watch 2'and are you and if so are you going to review it? Thanks 👍
Just bought a surface duo 2.(i know... 2 years too late) but was wondering before I get the device in my hands. Is the ms android build using the same as the store based Microsoft launcher? Or is it a fair way behind? The reason I ask is the new ms launcher is pretty good and has integrated copilot etc. Would be good if someone ported this or if it would install and keep thr same multi tasking mods as the base OS.
Microsoft are lazy with phone production. I was a big fan of the windows phone but they suddenly discontinued with it and they have done same thing with the Surface Duo as well
Right now, Pixel Fold. It would be hard to rate Duo again without using it for an extended period of time though. Performance is fine, software is also fine, camera is passable with gcam, my battery is likely down a bit from launch, multitasking is still world class.
If the Bluetooth was useable at all outdoors (dog walks, yard chores, etc), I'd still be daily driving my Duo 2. But the thing loses connection with my earbuds even when it is sitting higher in a jacket pocket.
@@adventurebunch Yes, I've tried Airpods, Google Buds, and a set of real cheap BT headphones. All cut out horribly as soon as the Duo goes in my pocket. Experienced this on 2 different Duo 2s as well. Many have reported the problem unfortunately. Don't know if some devices have the antenna in a weird place or what.
I've reached out on Twitter to no reply, but can you please ask Thai if he has completely given up on the duo? No changes in over 3 months. I spoke to ponces and he said he has no problem implementing Thais patches, so long as he himself reaches out to him. Would this be something you could ask him? There are still some of us left lol
HOW MUCH screen time you do on DUO 2 ? i got one with 1 year use and it does 4 hours of screen , is it good ? do you know where to buy or replace the batery ? didnt found on ebay ... thanks for all videos !!!! on the my microsoft launcher drains alot batery !!!!
It is just typical microsoft, history is littered with their discontinued products that actually worked well. Or someone else picked up on it a few years later and it worked. MS never hang around too long on things.
I haven't heard anything, no. No update in that time range either. Check running services in Dev Options and see if anything is running that shouldn't be. Obviously, reboot as well.
And RIP, since my last comment on this video my SD2 was working perfectly, and has just now crashed and cannot even boot into recovery mode. I feel jinxed today 😂
@@scaryifliteral Hey Shane! I did manage to get to the boot loader (there was like a 1 second window where it would accept button inputs). Flashing a recovery image did not work so it is officially a brick :( If you don't mind I just wanted to get your opinion - as a guy who found the SD2 split screen interface perfect, for a replacement would you suggest: - Pixel Fold - OnePlus Open - Wait for second generation of the above / or something else? Appreciate ya! 👃
