The Surface Neo release date should be an exception – not the rule
The expectation that Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface Neo will be put back to 2021 will not come as a surprise to many.
After all, the company revealedas early as Februarythat the Surface line was seriously affected by coronavirus, and the crisis has deepened significantly since then.
Interestingly, the Surface Duo is still currently scheduled for release before the end of the year.
Aside from screen size, the key difference between the two devices is that the Duo runs Android, while the Neo will come on Windows 10X, a customised version of Windows 10 built for dual-screen devices. It’s thought the larger screens on the Neo will make it more suited to productivitythan its smaller sibling.
It’s highly likely that Microsoft’s development of Windows 10X will have been adversely affected by the pandemic, which helps to explaining the delay.
However, even under normal circumstances the Surface Neo was set to arrive more than 12 months after an official announcement.
There’s an obvious attraction to this approach – Microsoft was able to announce a brand new product before the rumour mill was able to gain any real momentum.Prior toits October 2019reveal, we knew the company was working on a foldable device codenamed Project Centaurus, but many of the details were kept under wraps.
However, personally I’d rather hype was built via leaks and rumours, as opposed to confirmed by the company itself. For a long time, I’ve thought of a product announcement as an opportunity to showcase something that will be in the hands of consumers within a matter of weeks.
With over 12 months between unveiling and release, the challenge of maintaining public interest is so much more difficult. Microsoft’s marketing strategy is among the most advanced in the tech world, but even it will struggle to ensure the Surface Neo and Duo still feel exciting once they’re finally available.
Of course, the unprecedented disruption in 2020 should make everyone more forgiving, but I just hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. I understand these experimental devices might not have mainstream appeal, but there’s no excuse for an entire calendar year between announcement and release.
This is especially true considering Microsoft’s holds bi-annual hardware events, meaning it could easily have launched the new Surface products this October without too much hassle.
Read all about the upcomingSurface NeoandSurface Duo.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
