Recently discovered code found within the next release of Windows 10 shows that Microsoft may be ready to re-enter the mobile space. The Windows 10 Insider Preview build contains new APIs for telephony features, fueling speculations that Microsoft may be close to releasing its oft-rumored dual-screen Surface Phone smartphone.
Windows 10 build 17650 contains the APIs that are typically found on phones used for dialing numbers, blocking calls, and supporting Bluetooth headsets. There is also video-calling support, Ars Technica reported, which could lead to video calls over cellular connectivity. While support for cellular connectivity has existed since Windows 8, it was used only for data connections — Microsoft’s own Surface Pro LTE is one such example. These newly discovered APIs cover capabilities for voice-based communications.
In the past, Microsoft was rumored to working on a phone device with two screens connected by a hinge. The screens could fold together, like a book, to take on a more compact phone-like form factor. However, when unfolded, the device could provide the benefits of a tablet with a larger display. This device was previously known by its Project Andromeda code name. If Microsoft is ready to launch such a device, it could use its Build developer conference early next month as the platform to show off this hardware publicly.
Given that the device’s potential Surface branding, it would likely arrive bearing the high-end hallmarks of the line, including a premium build with a metal shell, support for inking with a digitizer, and the ability to run Windows. Given Microsoft’s recent work with Qualcomm to bring the Windows operating system to ARM processors, it’s unclear if the Surface Phone would be powered by a Qualcomm processor or one from Intel.
Another simpler explanation for the presence of these newly uncovered APIs is that Microsoft is streamlining Windows with Windows Core OS. That effort could have resulted in important APIs merged together in an effort to reduce the number of variants of the operating system. Microsoft has been pushing developers to create Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps that could run on Windows, mobile, and Xbox, and the telephony APIs presence on Windows could be an extension of this effort.
If there are any significant changes to Windows, we will likely find out at Build next month.
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