Great times are coming! We are on the threshold of the debut of Windows 10 Mobile. The unprecedented success of the desktop version of the OS, with 75 million installed copies in just 30 days, laid the foundation for this unified platform.
But, until the new mobile OS is released, many people have a question:
“How will the platform differ from iOS and Android?”
One of the answers from Sati Nadela and Joe Belfior:
"Continuum for the phone".
Critics argue that the attempt to design a screen from a small phone display to a large display has already been made, and ended in failure. They cite the Motorola Atrix as an example. They concluded that the factors that led to the failure of Atrix will also lead to the failure of Continuum. If Motorola Atrix represented the full range of possibilities of such Microsoft technology, I would also join the camp of critics. However, this is not the case. Let me describe the whole situation to you.
We'll consider:
* technology
* position in the industrial sector
* time frame
Let's talk about the technical side of the issue
Let's look at technology. In short, both companies, Microsoft and Motorola, promised to combine the functionality of several devices in the context of one. Both companies promised to turn a pocket smartphone into a PC using peripherals.
Motorola Atrix technology was launched 4 years ago, in the first quarter of 2011. The device ran on Android 2.2 (Froyo), although at that time Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) had been available for two months. We will return to this point from time to time.
Motorola's approach was simple. Actually, it was a plug and play option. The user could connect the Atrix to the proprietary desktop ($129) or laptop ($499) dock, and the screen of their phone, along with all the applications, was displayed on a large display. Unfortunately, there was no agreement between mobile applications for them to work correctly as desktop programs on a large display.
They were just regular mobile apps that just showed up on a big screen. The dilemma lies precisely in finding a one-device-for-everything solution. Asus Padphone suffers from the same problem. Microsoft Continuum has a cure.
What is the point
To understand the difference between the approaches of Microsoft and its competitors, you need to understand the basic principle of Continuum. Continuum is not just a feature on a single Microsoft device. This is the ideology by which Microsoft is adapting to the modern transitional nature of computer science. Continuum is an ecosystem platform that currently supports Windows hybrid devices and Windows 10 Mobile phones. The new category of devices mentioned by Nadella in his 7/10/14 note could also benefit from Continuum.
So what is the cure for the problems of its competitors offers Microsoft? Of course, universal applications. Microsoft's efforts to create a single OS core for all Windows devices have successfully laid the foundation for multi-platform applications that do not depend on the form factor.
Although some revisions to the source code are required for each form factor, the dream of writing one-time code for all devices at once has come true. Windows 10 allows developers to write application code optimized for desktop use with a keyboard and mouse. In addition, it maintains compatibility with portable phone systems.
In addition, Continuum-enabled Windows phones can connect to a keyboard and mouse, as well as a large display, wirelessly. Microsoft will also be releasing a "Munchkin" hub (at an unconfirmed price of $99) that will have multiple wired ports.
Since Continuum is more of a Windows 10 feature than a specific device, Microsoft partners will be able to make similar hubs for their Windows 10 phones. As an example, Acer recently announced the Jade Primo with the hub included. Open competition between manufacturers will help keep the price at an acceptable level. Unlike the expensive proprietary solution from Motorola.
Moreover, Microsoft's solution allows the smartphone to work with two displays at the same time. This means a parent can simultaneously stream video to the big screen for kids while reading email on the Windows Phone display. Atrix does not provide such an opportunity.
Strong position
This technology is just the first piece of the puzzle. The unique position of each of these manufacturers is the second main criterion.
First, Motorola is one manufacturer among many that uses Google's Android and has no right to change it. Motorola wasn't even running the latest version at the time. While Motorola created flexible hardware to suit different scenarios, it couldn't do the same at the OS level. The Android kernel did not provide for the use of OS for different form factors. In addition, in 2011 this problem was even deeper in Android devices.
On the other hand, Microsoft controls the Windows 10 operating system. Therefore, the company created Continuum as the main component of the OS. Any Windows 10 device (phone or tablet) with the right hardware will be able to use Continuum. Microsoft will also make devices with Continuum built in, and has many partner manufacturers doing the same.
Continuum, the evolution of smartphones continues
Many of Microsoft's 1.5 billion PC users are upgrading to Windows 10, which removes the barriers between PC and mobile versions of the OS. This decision has a very strong effect. With partner support, Microsoft has the resources to bring Continuum technology to all Windows users. Whether it will be a success or a failure, we'll see. The main point here is that Motorola is trying to converge on Android devices that don't have it (like Windows), so its success was unlikely.
In addition, the Atrix, which was only sold through ATT in the US, was a limited edition. At the same time, the fact that Continuum has multi-platform compatibility and Microsoft has a wide network of partners points to the future prevalence of phones with built-in Continuum.
Time frames are everything
Atrix failed for many reasons. Which one is the main one? The world was not ready. When Atrix was launched in the first quarter of 2011, we were witnessing the 4th year of the iPhone smartphone revolution. At that time, the market was covered by devices up to 5 inches. In the second half of 2011, however, there are signs of a new era. The hitparade was headed by HTC Titan with a “huge” 4.7” display and Samsung Galaxy Note with even larger dimensions – 5.3”. These phones, forcing the size factor, also pushed production to new standards.
In the following years, Samsung provoked other companies to produce even larger phones, close to the size of a tablet. Now it's time for an industry where 5”+ is the norm. Our smartphones have become a combination phone + tablet.
Keep in mind that these large devices are not just large phones from the same consumer niche 2007 - 2011. At that time, users considered their devices to be "phones" with additional features.
The introduction of the iPhone by Steve Jobs confirmed this view.
"...iPod, phone and communicator" - Jobs, 2007.
Devices smaller than 5 inches, which were the norm during this period, fall under the paradigm when customers still required computers without fail.
With the advent and acceptance of 5”-6” devices, features that were only available on PCs have seamlessly moved to smartphones. Smartphones with large displays are regularly used for surfing the Internet, listening to music, watching movies, playing games, sending mail, chatting, and editing photos.
Consider the fact that these computer prerogatives have migrated to the mobile platform. Manufacturing has organically moved to a certain paradigm where people can comfortably use smartphones and tablets as composite devices. It happened in a completely natural style. Barely contained demand for large iPhones and record sales are clear evidence.
Smartphones are becoming on par with PCs, and may also continue to displace computers and completely replace them. Both factors, technical and human, met and led to the trend of combining computing devices.
The time is right
The 4-inch Motorola Atrix did not last long in the consumer space, as it was tied to a single device. Now sales of PCs and tablets are declining, and smartphones are on the rise, and support the highest demands of the buyer.
This is where Microsoft introduced Continuum, Windows 10, and the Universal App Platform. Microsoft is the only company to have created a platform ecosystem that will support the all-in-one devices that today's manufacturing is striving for. Therefore, Continuum achieves what the Motorola Atrix failed to achieve:
* Benefit from versatile apps optimized for both phone and PC.
* This is a core OS and platform component that partner manufacturers can use when designing phones and peripherals for Windows 10.
* Manufacturers, business partners, and municipalities can help support third-party infrastructure for Windows 10 devices (hubs, docking stations).
On the other hand, Atrix failed because of the following:
* Mobile apps have not been optimized for large displays.
* Motorola has no control over the software platform required to support the hardware.
* Motorola was the sole manufacturer of the device and not a platform provider.
* Accessories required for Atrix were proprietary and expensive.
* Atrix had a limited edition.
Summing up
Perhaps the critics are right. Continuum may fail. But if this is the case, then definitely not for the same reasons as Atrix. Motorola had a one feature per device approach rather than a large ecosystem.
The Microsoft approach is a platform that will improve many devices in a large ecosystem.
With the support of vendor partners, I envision airports, schools, libraries, and homes with hubs (and wireless devices) designed for Continuum-enabled Windows phones. The world is ready for it.
Express your opinion in the comments!
Along with the announcement of a new operating system for smartphones called Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft spoke about a new revolutionary feature Continuum, which, according to the statement, should allow users to use their mobile gadget as a full-fledged computer. Judging by the reviews of specialized online publications, this is how it turned out in practice, albeit with some reservations. For example, to organize a full-fledged workplace, you need to purchase a special dock that combines the smartphone itself and peripheral devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, drives, etc.). But even in this case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to play serious games, but it’s very easy to work with text or photos, climb sites in the browser.
Recently, an article appeared on the Microsoft blog site in which the developers shared the history of the creation of Continuum and its main features. It states that planning for this feature began three years ago. Initially, it was just an observation and thought that smartphones have entered our daily lives very densely, they are always at our fingertips and play the role of the main source of information and communication in social networks. While for full-fledged work, you still had to use laptops and desktop computers.
The article also mentions that such an idea would be most in demand in emerging markets, where a mobile gadget is often the only device for accessing the Internet. So far, this is hard to believe, given the cost of the top-end smartphone of the Lumia line, complete with Microsoft Display Dock, but perhaps relatively inexpensive solutions will appear in the future. Representatives of the company around the world conducted surveys and a lot of research to thoroughly study the needs of users in this area.
During the development of Continuum, Microsoft engineers encountered many problems.
Firstly, it was necessary to choose the most suitable option for connecting an external monitor, and so that the screen of the smartphone itself also worked. They had to invent an essentially new method that had not been used before. For many months they considered different prototypes until they came to the final version.
Secondly, when introducing full keyboard and mouse support, there were also problems that required changes to the system architecture. For now, Continuum is running on Windows 10 Mobile, but Microsoft isn't stopping there and plans to roll it out to other products like the Xbox One or HoloLens.
One of the most interesting and unusual features of the recently released Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL smartphones is the Continuum feature, which allows you to turn your smartphone into a kind of personal computer with the help of a large screen and keyboard.
The gadgets themselves, the 5-inch Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL with a 5.7-inch screen, their capabilities and "chips", however, it is worth talking about the features of turning these smartphones into a computer separately, since this unusual topic requires more careful consideration.
So, Continuum from English into Russian is best translated by the word "continuity". This technology was introduced by Microsoft in the already mentioned smartphone models, which were the first on the market to receive native support for the mobile version of Windows 10. It was the continuity of the transition from the screen of a mobile gadget to a large monitor or TV that was highlighted in the name of the function, and the connection itself can be carried out in two ways.
First, you can use the wireless connection through Miracast compatible devices. This method is the easiest, however, a wireless connection requires the support of these technologies from the monitor, and in the smartphone settings you need to select the appropriate menu item.
Unfortunately, at the time of testing I didn’t have a single Miracast-enabled screen at hand, so we will connect in the second way - by wire. For this, a special docking station is used, called the Display Dock. It is sold separately and is a very heavy metal box, weighing 230 grams with a rubberized stand, so it does not "crawl" on the table.
On one side of this box, all the interfaces for connecting to a monitor, TV, or projector are displayed, and on the other, a lone USB Type-C connector through which the device connects to a smartphone, and a notification indicator that changes color depending on the operating mode.
The entire wall facing the monitor is filled with 6 different connectors. The top row consists of 3 USB 3.0 ports for connecting various peripherals, at the bottom left there is a USB Type-C connector through which the Display Dock is powered by a network adapter, and to the right there are two jacks for displaying images on the screen - DisplayPort and HDMI.
The bundled AC adapter from the phone can act as a power source, since the new items are also equipped with USB Type-C connectors, while, from the moment the device is connected to the Display Dock, the smartphone receives energy for charging. If the smartphone is not docked, no image is displayed on the screen and the device remains inactive.
When you connect the cable to the device, after a couple of seconds we see an interface on the screen that is very reminiscent of the desktop version of Windows, and you do not need to overload or perform any actions with the smartphone. The device itself automatically transforms into a 5-inch on-screen cursor control touchpad with support for various pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling functions, as on most modern laptops.
It is convenient to plug the keyboard into any of the 3 USB connectors of the adapter, and now we already have some kind of a full-fledged desktop. Let's see how it works.
As I already noted, the main feature of Continuum is switching interfaces on the fly, from the same place where you interrupted work with your smartphone.
The main screen almost completely repeats the usual Windows 10. There is also a start button, by clicking on which we get exactly the same “tiles”, however, some of these tiles remain inactive for the user.
On the official website, it says this: “Currently, only certain applications support Continuum for phones, including Microsoft Edge, Office applications, and some others (for example, Weather, Music, or Mail).
In fact, this means that most of the proprietary services and applications from Microsoft itself already work completely with Continuum, some programs on the big screen open in smartphone form, and most other applications simply do not start.
For example, Microsoft Edge browser tabs opened on a smartphone are launched on the big screen in the same order as on a mobile phone, but now with computer controls.
In the same way, "seamlessly", Office documents are saved using the cloud - they can be opened and edited from the same place where you left off before, both here and on any other computer with OneDrive installed.
As far as I can judge the office suite on the big screen, through Continuum it practically does not differ from the desktop version, and those who like to work with spreadsheets in Excel or create a complex presentation in Power Point will not be disappointed. An attempt to launch almost any other smartphone application, except for those listed, leads to the fact that it simply stretches to full screen when launched.
For example, this happens with a calculator that cannot be collapsed into a window of arbitrary size - either this way or nothing, although the multitasking button on the bottom panel is present, and allows you to quickly switch between running applications.
Interestingly, the smartphone during such a connection continues to function normally, regardless of the shell on the big screen, although it acts as a modest touchpad. You can still call and chat with him and him, as if nothing had happened, and the touchpad function can be temporarily or completely disabled, for example, if you have a separate mouse.
Now about what to achieve from such a symbiosis of a smartphone and an external monitor it was not possible: Most of the programs from the mobile application store do not understand Continuum, and what they want from them on the big screen.
So far, you can’t play toys in this way, use instant messengers on the big screen and run almost all third-party applications. Unfortunately, there was no place for an RDP client in the list of supported software, and an attempt to connect a remote desktop for virtual control ended in failure, although this application alone could significantly expand the scope of such a bundle.
In fact, all this is because in Microsoft itself Continuum is still considered an experimental feature, and already working applications are the “first wave” and an example for other developers to follow. Let's hope that the first wave will be followed by the second and third, and Continuum will be updated and prettier, because the idea of combining smartphone and desktop hardware is damn right in itself. In the end, the power of modern multi-core processors is already quite enough for normal operation, and Microsoft has already proven this.
The lack of disk space for such a bundle can be easily eliminated using cloud services, or connecting an external hard drive via the Display Docka USB connector, and microSD expansion cards are becoming larger, more accessible and faster, so this is also not a problem at all.
Among the big three mobile operating systems, it is Windows Mobile that has come closest to integrating a phone with a desktop, while Android and iOS have not yet moved beyond talk. Let's hope that this example will inspire other developers, and that Microsoft itself will have the strength and patience to bring Continuum to the point where it will be possible to completely abandon the desktop computer. Goodbye!
Full video version - an overview of Microsoft Continuum technology:
Surely every owner of a Windows 10 Mobile device would like to try Continuum at least once in action. Finally, it became possible on smartphones that do not support the main feature of the new tiled operating system. This guide will tell you how to run Continuum on any Windows 10 Mobile smartphone.
Warning: this procedure is very difficult and requires good nerves, patience and confidence. Remember that only you and no one else is responsible for modifying the operating system files of your smartphone. The author of the article is not responsible for the damage caused to the smartphone in the event of a malfunction.
Warning 2: you can return everything to its place only by flashing the smartphone using the Windows Device Recovery Tool. A normal reset will only reset the registry values to default.
We tested this guide and were able to successfully run Continuum on a Lumia 735 using the Miracast standard. This means that on smartphones 640, 730, 830, 930, 1520, Xiaomi Mi4 and so on, Continuum will work without problems (as far as unsupported devices can be). Note that on all unsupported devices, Continuum will only work via Miracast - the USB ports of older devices do not support the ability to connect to a docking station.
- Download . Unpack it and run the installation package.
- Download .
- Connect your phone to your computer.
- Press Win + X and launch Command Prompt with administrator privileges. Depending on the bitness of your OS, enter one of the following commands:
64-bit: CD C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\Bin\i386
32-bit: CD C:\Program Files\Windows Kits\10\Tools\Bin\i386
- Don't close the command line.
- Copy the address of the cab file folder you downloaded earlier. Important: the file must be in a separate folder, without any other files. The folder name must not contain spaces or Cyrillic letters.
- Go back to the command prompt and type the following without the square brackets:
iutool -v -p [address of the folder with the cab file that you copied from the previous paragraph]
- If everything is correct, the smartphone will turn off and the installation of updates will begin. Do not disconnect your phone from the computer until the process is complete.
- Once enabled, you will find Continuum in the list of applications.
- Now do Interop Unlock according to the instructions "".
- open Interop Tools. Go to This Device - Registry Editor. Enter the following parameters:
Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)
Registry Type: Integer(REG_DWORD)
Registry Key Path: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shell\Docking
Registry Value Name: EnabledForTest
Registry Value Data: 1 - Click Write Data.
Continuum is now running on your smartphone. When updating the system, nothing will break. After resetting the settings, you only need to re-enter the value of the key in the registry; you do not need to install the CAB file.
At the presentation on October 6, Microsoft showed two new flagship Lumia smartphones. Both devices received excellent performance, and therefore are compatible with the new "feature" from Redmond programmers - Continuum. How this feature works in real life, tells the portal Windows Central.
Recall that the Lumia 950 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, received 3 GB of RAM and a high-speed USB Type-C port. The Lumia 950 XL has the same specifications, except for the processor (Snapdragon 810 is installed here). This "iron" is quite enough for the smooth operation of Continuum - one of the main innovations in Windows 10.
What is Continuum
A new feature that turns a compatible smartphone into a miniature PC system unit (with inevitable limitations, more about them below). It was originally introduced for the desktop version of Windows 10, and is now ported to new smartphones running Windows 10 Mobile. A special docking station called Microsoft Display Dock connects a phone (it will be the “brain” in the new configuration), an external display, a mouse, a keyboard, and any other peripheral device. The intention of the developers is obvious - Continuum will be needed in those situations when you need to do something behind the big screen, but your work computer or laptop is not nearby and is not expected.
How Continuum works
To get started, you need the Microsoft Display Dock. This is an optional accessory docking station with HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB 3.0, and one USB Type-C (connects a smartphone through it). Setup is very simple - you just need to insert the wires from the monitor, keyboard and mouse into the "correct" Display Dock connectors, and then connect the Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL. If desired, even a flash drive can be connected to the resulting “computer” through the Display Dock (the main thing is that the smartphone “knows” its driver, in theory this can become a problem).
The smartphone will be recognized automatically and enter Continuum mode. After activating it, you will see a working environment - very similar to what the desktop version of Windows 10 offers. But "looks like" does not mean "exactly the same" - here, of course, there are differences, and they are quite significant.
You'll see a lot of mobile elements (such as the signal strength indicator in the top left corner of the screen and the battery level in the top right corner). Another notable difference is the Start button. Instead of the Modern UI version of Start in Windows 10, you'll see your smartphone's Start screen with all the tiles it has.
To open an application (for example, one of the Office programs), just click on the Start button icon and then on the desired icon - just like you do on a regular Windows 10 computer. The difference in the case of Continuum is that Start is the only place you can run programs from, there are no other sources.
All open applications are displayed on the Taskbar - again, in the same way as on a PC. To switch to one of the running applications, just click on its icon in the taskbar. Another option is the Task View button on the same Taskbar, when pressed, it displays all running applications. Finally, shortcuts familiar to Windows 10 users are also supported - for example, Ctrl + Tab. To work with text, you can and should use shortcuts such as Ctrl + C (copy text to clipboard), Ctrl + X (cut) and Ctrl + V (paste).
The application on the big screen looks and works (based on its capabilities) the way we are used to it on computers. Microsoft has achieved this by creating universal (i.e., works on any screen) applications for Windows. The program itself will “understand” that you have switched from a 5.2 / 5.7-inch screen to, say, a 22-inch one, and will automatically adjust the interface to the new monitor. If you are at least a little versed in web design, then the closest analogy is “responsive” design.
At first, a complete illusion is created that you are sitting at an ordinary “computer”. For example, if you go to the mail client, check incoming correspondence and receive a letter from the boss with attachments to create the desired presentation, just double-click on the attachment with the left mouse button - and the file, as in the usual "large" Windows, will open in the desired program.
The most interesting thing about Continuum is that you can do business on the big screen and still not give up the “smartphone” capabilities. You can still make calls, reply to SMS, watch videos, play games, and more from the screen of the Lumia 950 / 950 XL. As they say at Microsoft, "each user experience is independent and continuous."
What can not be done in Continuum?
The main drawback of the regime can be described as follows: "you can't run something that doesn't exist." If the developer has not made a universal version of his application, you simply will not see it on the screen of your monitor. True, Microsoft has already created universal versions of its products, and also agreed on "universalization" with some major players, such as Facebook.
You most likely will not get the full functionality of the program. Windows-blogger Paul Turot, who has already seen both the new Lumia and Continuum on them in action: universal Office is more like Office Mobile than its “full-fledged” desktop counterpart. So for users who need the most from Excel, Continuum is unlikely to come in handy.
Also, you can not use the beloved Snap mode (several applications open on the same screen next to each other). At the same time, you can run only one program on your smartphone and one on the big screen.
You will not be able to drag the application from the monitor screen to the smartphone screen, and vice versa. Still, in the case of Continuum, we do not do a "clean" screen projection on an external display. Accordingly, there is no such freedom in work. On the other hand, this shortcoming can hardly be called serious for most users.
Conclusion
Continuum actually turns a smartphone into a PC (albeit with limited features) - and no competing platform can boast of this. If you want to work under any circumstance, and at the same time - and get the best user experience from working with Windows 10 Mobile, the new Lumia 950 and 950 XL are what you need.
