Microsoft Surface devices have traditionally pushed boundaries. Obviously some devices are closer to the edge than others – the Surface Laptop workhorse is far more radical than the first Surface Book with its accessible screen – but they all help to Microsoft view sales.
The dual-powered Surface Duo with Android is one of the devices that is closer to the edge than most, but Microsoft has just added another edge to explore the portable device. Gamadh.
Microsoft Xbox head and Microsoft Gaming vice president Phil Spencer announces the … [+]
AFP through Getty Images
Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service has an Android messenger that is used by many gamers, although games designed to be played by a controller do not always translate perfectly to a single screen device -shoot. For some that means installing gamepad controller controls, for others it means using on-screen controls.
The latest beta for the Android client adds another option; using a second screen to host the controls. Second screen like the one on the Surface Duo. Hinge the open tool with the play experience on the top and the ‘controller’ on the bottom and you have a very nifty xBox game machine for yourself.
As mentioned, it’s still in beta and the number of supported games is still small (and the biggest weaver is that you need an Ultimate Game Pass membership level (at $ 14.99 per month) But there is a collaboration here that responds to both the technological push of the Surface brand, and the new gaming ecosystem being built by the Xbox team.
The Surface Duo is set up as a tool to help people work softer. With Duo 2 heavily rumored, Microsoft could be in a good position to position the Duo as a tool to help people play softer as well.
Now read more about the Surface Pro 7+ and the same trick that IT departments love …