Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Here’s how apps could work on Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface Centaurus

By

There’s no doubt that Microsoft is working on a foldable dual-screen Surface device, and as time goes on, potential details about the project continue to come to light by way of government filings. In the latest, a patent reveals how users could be able to play with apps on the device — without any lag or other issues.

Originally published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November 2018, this latest patent for “Display Device Selection Based on Hardware Configuration” was recently discovered by the Windows Latest blog. The patent specifically points out that a device with dual-screen setup could feature different hardware configurations — one for each screen. This would solve any potential performance-related issues for apps, as the computing “modules” would determine configurations and transfer apps to the right screen accordingly.

1 of 2
microsoft surface centaurus patent app 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
microsoft surface centaurus patent app 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This wouldn’t be new ground for Microsoft, as there are other types of hardware in the Surface lineup that are similarly complex. As a detachable 2-in-1, the Surface Book already features the CPU behind the screen and the GPU power in the keyboard in certain models. The layout of the processors in the screens of such a dual-screen device could perhaps function similarly.

Recommended Videos

“The computing system may further indicate a processor configured to receive an input including instructions to launch an application program on the first display device.” Based on the first hardware configuration, the second hardware configuration, the processor may be further configured to determine that the second hardware configuration matches the application program hardware specifications. The processor may be further configured to launch the application program on the second display device.” Microsoft explains.

As always, the technology described in patents does not always make it to a final product, but there could be hope. Recent patents have described how users could interact with the dual-screen device and provided details on the folding mechanisms, as well as information on the other technologies for the screen.

Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface, code-named Centaurus, could be released sometime in 2020. The company has not said much about the device but has privately shown off prototypes to its employees. It is rumored to be powered by a new version of Windows, code-named Windows Core OS.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Microsoft finally kills this legacy Windows app — for good this time
Skype shown on a laptop screen.

Microsoft has finally retired support on Skype for Business software, after announcing its pending deprecation during a November 2023 update.

Users will no longer have access to Skype for Business servers. They will not be able to access the XML settings for Skype for Business or have the ability to sign in for support to Skype for Business meetings, Microsoft said.

Read more
Surface Pro 10: all the major changes rumored for the new model
The Surface Pro 9 in laptop mode on a table.

Microsoft has consistently put out a new version of its most popular Surface device, the Surface Pro, and this year we are seeing the Surface Pro 10, the follow-up to the Surface Pro 9 from 2023.

This year's Surface Pro 10 launch is a bit different. We're seeing two models. One aimed at Microsoft's commercial and business users has already been announced. Dubbed the Surface Pro 10 for Business, it mainly keeps the same design, with a bump to Intel Core Ultra CPUs. The other, which is for consumers like you and me, is expected to be announced later with big design changes, and an ARM-based processor instead of an Intel one.

Read more
The most common Microsoft Teams problems and how to fix them
A close-up of someone using Microsoft Teams on a laptop for a videoconference.

Microsoft Teams was introduced in 2017 as a unified communication and collaboration platform aimed at helping businesses and organizations get things done. Microsoft leveraged the company's existing Office software experience and created a unified experience between Teams, Office 365, and Skype for Business. However, as with all software, things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes you can run into Teams problems.

We're big Teams users here at Digital Trends -- it's our go-to communication and meeting tool -- and we've come across a few issues ourselves over the years. In the event you're having Microsoft Teams issues, here's how to fix some of the most common problems.

Read more