Why Microsoft's Surface 'Andromeda' is critical to the Windows ecosystem

[Windows Central]

If Microsoft cancels Surface Andromeda the effects could devastate its mobile future, even though there is a successful cross-platform mobile strategy at work.
Since 2015 I've championed an analysis that Microsoft was working on an inking-focused, pocket PC strategy that would follow its smartphone efforts. I stressed Windows-on-phone was part of a larger Windows-on-mobile strategy that transitioned through mobile OSes from Pocket PC to Windows 10 Mobile with the goal of bringing the full power of Windows to true pocket PCs.

That post-smartphone mobile strategy was confirmed by Microsoft's recently leaked email boasting a new and disruptive inking-focused pocket PC category heralded by Surface Andromeda. Rumors recently surfaced that it may be canceled, however.

Sadly, in an iPhone/Android phone-centric world Surface Andromeda's cancellation wouldn't even cause a ripple among the oblivious masses. For Microsoft enthusiasts and techies, however, reactions would range from dashed hopes to contemplative discourse. What would the cancellation of a long-awaited, first-party mobile device that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella promised would be an ultimate mobile device mean for Microsoft? Perhaps not much...perhaps.

Full story from the WindowsCentral blog...