During the recent Microsoft Surface Event held in New York City, the tech giant unveiled its highly anticipated foldable smartphone, the Surface Duo. This new device marks a significant departure from Microsoft's previous smartphone endeavors, most notably by running on the Android operating system instead of Windows. This strategic shift grants the Surface Duo full access to the Google Play Store and its vast ecosystem of applications.

Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Mr. Panos Panay, highlighted a crucial partnership with Google, emphasizing plans to introduce a stream of innovative Android features specifically designed to make the Duo a unique and groundbreaking device. Panay stated, “We’re partnering with Google to bring together the absolute best of Android into one product.” The official launch of the Surface Duo is slated for sometime in 2020, with a focus on the holiday season.

Design-wise, the Surface Duo features a rounded surface, mirroring the aesthetic of the Surface Neo, another device showcased at the event. Its core innovation lies in its dual 5.6-inch displays, connected by a robust hinge that allows for a full 360-degree rotation. When unfolded, these screens combine to form an expansive 8-inch display. Powering the device is a Snapdragon 855 processor. The iconic Microsoft Surface logo is elegantly etched in glass on the phone's exterior. Additionally, the Surface Duo is designed to support productivity with accompanying accessories, including a Surface Pen and a keyboard that can fold over one of the dual screens.

Microsoft underscored its commitment to its developer community at the event, stating that developers would commence building applications for the Surface Duo well in advance of its official 2020 holiday launch. Panos Panay conveyed this intent by saying, “We want to bring our fans on the journey, but we also want to bring developers on our journey with us.” Although Panay was somewhat hesitant to label the Surface Duo explicitly as a 'phone' during the presentation, its introduction represents a positive and highly anticipated return for Microsoft to the smartphone industry, following a period of quiet retreat in recent years.