Microsoft Canceled a Cheaper Surface Duo, but It Showed Up on eBay Anyway

Microsoft is rumored to be working on a new premium Surface Duo smartphone, though the timeline is uncertain. We can say with reasonable certainty that it won’t be launching a cheaper version as many had hoped. The budget Duo existed internally at Microsoft, as evidenced by a dev sample that recently appeared on eBay. However, the mid-range Duo has reportedly been canceled.

The Surface Duo line is Microsoft’s take on a modern Android phone. While some device makers are focusing on foldable screens, Microsoft is all about dual screens. Like its more expensive sibling, the leaked mid-range Duo has a “book” form factor with both of its screens inside. Unlike the current Duo phones, this one had a curvy plastic chassis instead of glass.

Windows Central reports that the device was known internally as “Cronos,” and it was intended to ship later this year as a lower-cost version of the Duo 2. Unfortunately, the eBay listing has been deleted, but sources say the phone was going to include a mid-range Qualcomm chip, a dual camera, and flat displays. The premium Duo 2 has a pair of OLEDs that curve at the edges to form a “Glance Bar” along the hinge side. The idea is you can use that to check notifications and the time, but it was not a very successful addition to the product line.

The changes to Cronos were intended to make it less expensive, which is a good idea. The Duo 2 launched at a whopping $1,500, which is within spitting distance of the much more capable Samsung foldable phones. This was undeniably one of the primary stumbling blocks for the Duo 2, and Microsoft’s buggy version of Android with its dual-screen optimizations didn’t help. Microsoft has lowered the price of the Duo 2 over the past several months, bringing it down to $1,000, and worked to refine the software.

For now, this is the only leak from Microsoft’s Android team. However, the company is reportedly planning to release a Surface Duo 3 later this year. In fact, the company decided to cancel Cronus in order to focus completely on the new premium smartphone. Even though it’s not launching a budget Duo this year, the leak shows that Microsoft is interested in expanding the product line, even with lackluster sales thus far. Even though it hasn’t had much luck in mobile, Microsoft cannot be accused of moving on too quickly. It was still working to make Windows Phone a viable platform until 2017. The Duo should get at least a few more chances to attract an audience.

Continue reading

SpaceX Cancels Starship High-Altitude Test at Last Second

SpaceX says the cancellation was due to abnormal readings from one of the rocket's three Raptor engines. There are more potential launch windows coming up, but it's unclear what went wrong and how long it'll take to fix.

Star Citizen Developer Unveils New Roadmap, Cancels Squadron 42 Beta

Cloud Imperium Games has canceled the Squadron 42 beta that was supposed to debut before the end of 2020, with no current plan or timeline for launching it.

Terraria Dev Cancels Stadia Version After Getting Locked Out of Google Account

Re-Logic co-founder Andrew Spinks says Google has banned his account, locking him out of thousands worth of dollars in content. His response is to cancel Terraria for Stadia.

Microsoft Reportedly Cancels Window 10X Launch

According to a report from Petri.com, Microsoft has shelved its slimmed-down Windows 10X operating system. Instead, it will focus on an upcoming redesign for Windows 10.