Microsoft has been expected to release its foldable mobile device, codenamed Andromeda, this year. But that may not be the case anymore.

According to a new report from Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft has essentially delayed the software for Andromeda. The company is building a different version of Windows 10 specifically for Andromeda to support the dual-screen nature of the device. Microsoft was originally planning to merge the software work for Andromeda with Windows 10 Redstone 5, but that’s not going to happen anymore.

There isn’t an exact reason behind the delay, however. Microsoft never discussed Andromeda publicly, though it detailed the device in an internal email obtained by Thurrott last week. Of course, the email doesn’t add anything new to what we already know about the device, but it did create a lot of hype around the device — and the latest report is here to destroy that all.

Here is the thing: it’s unlikely we will see Andromeda this year, and there’s a possibility the device could be cancelled. I think it is safe to say that Andromeda has been unnecessarily hyped by Windows Phone fans and Microsoft blogs, and there really isn’t a mass market appeal for a foldable mobile device. Even if Andromeda turned out to be like all the concepts we have seen, would it really be capable of competing with the iPhone? Yes, Microsoft is focusing more on its commercial customers with Andromeda, but even they may not be appealed by a foldable mobile device that will likely lack a lot of the enterprise applications.

And that’s one of the reasons behind Andromeda’s delay, combined with scheduling and quality problems, reports Mary Jo Foley. From what I have seen before, Andromeda’s software is in a rough stage at this point. Microsoft has a ton of work to be done to perfect this device, and even then the project may end up being more of a prototype product than a polished product. Will it get completely cancelled? Who knows.

But yes, even if Microsoft does completely cancel Andromeda, the company could use some of the tech for the product to build a foldable small PC that’s capable of running desktop apps, notes MJF.

Tagged with Andromeda, Surface