History
Back on TPCR OG I wrote a good bit about how the dual screen productivity of the SDuo OG really helped me keep work going while I was dealing with a family health situation. I also wrote about the frustrations of Google, Android, and how some of the limitations in the apps made me settle for the Fruit Hegemony (that’s walled garden to @dstrauss).
I tried the Duo Deux early on, but sent it back because of the OS and apps. I never stopped being drawn to the form factor and now
What Changed?
The $500 price drop. Two screens for productivity at or below iPhone deserves a look.
The Updates. A11 and the updates have fixed the bulk of my UI issues.
Verizon. I use both a work and personal number. VZW fixed its Message+ app so I can call and text with a 2nd number - HUGE
Phone Link. Now the app supports launching Android apps. The UI on those apps is much better than trying to shrink down the comparable Windows apps. This means I can have SMS apps for both phone lines, MS To Do in a small corner of my desktop AND answer calls without having to stop, find/pick up the phone and refocus. PHENOMENAL productivity boost at my desk.
An app called Black Screen. This little gem will put up a black screen on one screen for those times you’re saving battery or focused on a single app. It also means I write on the left side without having to fold it back on the camera hump to turn off the second screen.
Work Software Changes. Made it easier to keep work and personal apps/content separate.
Charging Pen Cover. No longer have to worry about whether my pen will die or not. (MS really should have made a full back panel too, but that’s for a different rant.)
Unicorn? Nirvana?
No. There are still annoyances. For example, Google is screwing with Wear OS and some features (like having Google Assistant call contacts from the watch) no longer works. Developers still haven’t embraced the full potential of the dual screens - including MS. It isn’t the device I carry when I’m golfing or on the beach, but it is with me when there’s work to do.
Notice most of the differences are about software.
But to the point made in a different thread a while back. These aren’t just phones. The devices are mobile productivity tools. Duo Deux helps me. It could get better …
@Bishop, I feel you, big bro. Amen to the productivity comment. Even on the Duo OG most of the bugs have been fixed and with the constant updates, looks like MS’s finally found their mojo. Don’t feel any need to upgrade now but looking forward to more of your experience with the Deux.
On a different note, I wonder the point of a WSA (Windows subsystem for Android) when the Phone Link app basically does the same thing without hogging resources. They should instead focus on further improving that feature.
Here is an example of a screenshot with 4 Android apps open using Phone Link (Google Messages, Verizon Message+, MS To Do & WeatherBug)
This gives me the information I need from my phone without having to look down at it. The app UIs are much better scaled than a Windows app would be, and when I walk away from the desk with my phone, all the notifications are caught up. (There is a separate rant about notification proliferation and the lack of synchronization across platforms.) (Yes, I’m still running W10 on my Surface Studio 2, to preserve my side-mounted task bar among other reasons.)
I gotta admit the faster screen refresh is impressive. I did go in and enable developer mode to reduce the animation durations, making it even snappier.
The pen cover makes the left side slightly thicker, only really disturbing if one is prone to OCD. The texture of the right side bumpers does match the left side cover. I think it feels better than the SDuo OG bumpers, YMMV.
I’ve been stuck in continuing professional education programs for the last couple of days, and running my day job from the Duo Deux quite happily.
Android 12L: fixed things under the hood mostly. No complaints about performance or touch/swipe functionality, some improvements. Some A12 UI changes took getting used to.
Verizon Message+: Both my work and personal lines are Verizon. This app allows me to have one line on the physical SIM, and access text messages and make calls on the other line through the app. Verizon has actually improved the app. Huge win.
Favorite App Pairs: Outlook & MS ToDo (calendar on one side, tasks on the other), & Google Messages opposite Verizon Message+. Great for planning & staying current on texts.
Slim Pen OG: tweaked some of my OneNote templates for both portrait and landscape orientation and make great use of the pen.
Frack Google Assistant: They’ve turned off the make calls and text by voice features. Seem to be retrenching like MS did with Cortana. I tried several watches (not the most recent Sammy’s though). So, I keep my Apple Watch and iPhone - at least as long as Siri still works.
For that reason, when I’m out and about, it’s still a 2 device solution.
Still glad I bought it. The productivity gains paid for it several times over.
Wow! About the most detailed review of the Duo that I’ve read so far. Glad you’re loving it. If they ever came out with a 3rd iteration, would you want it foldable or dual screen?
Great question. At the risk of sounding lawerly, it depends …
What’s the UI like? If the software will actually treat it like two screens WHEN NEEDED, I could live with a single screen.
OS? If it’s running W11, yes, done deal either way.
Physical form factor? If it’s as thick as SGZF4, not interested. I would dearly love to get back the full 360* motion of the SDuo OG. Again, with the right software, folded fully back, we wouldn’t need an outside or 3rd screen. Screen ratios are also important; taller and skinnier would be a no go.
Future Work Status? Fortunately, I am at the age where I have options about what work I choose to do in the future. If I were in a situation where I no longer needed separate work and personal phones, I’m not sure I would continue with 2 devices. If ever truly “retired,” I’m not sure I’d spend the money for a folding device.
I think the only problem with this will be the app problem. Otherwise a somewhat stripped down version of Win 11 would be great.
Also, haven’t paid any attention to all the porting videos, but does Win 11 recognize the dual screen?
Not clear to me either. If it is a single screen, one less thing to deal with. Either a more W11 skin on Android, or WOA11 will run Android. So, hope springs eternal.
@5:20 in the video he demonstrates how it’s recognizing it as two separate displays. If you expand a window across both screens it doesn’t cut out any content.
Note that this was six months ago and the displays should be a lot more stable now.
