Microsoft lowers requirements for Continuum for phones

20 January, 2016
Continuum – probably the most coveted Windows 10 feature among Lumia fans is now expanding its reach. Currently it is reserved only for the OEM's latest and greatest tech, namely the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 950, but now the US giant has decided it will lower the hardware requirements just a bit. However, before you get too excited and start asking questions about a myriad of legacy devices, the support is expanded only slightly to include Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 617 chipset.

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  • D
  • AnonD-138848
  • utY
  • 25 Jan 2016

AnonD-491083, 20 Jan 2016It has nothing to do with Microsoft being reluctant to supp... moreWell in that case they can make the old phones act like a CPU. When Raspberry pi 2 can run windows 10, why not lumia 520 can???

    • D
    • AnonD-138848
    • utY
    • 25 Jan 2016

    1. When the first iPhone was released, most of us (including myself) was not able to afford and we went to cheaper alternatives from samsung, sony ericsson, lg (Android). Then we got used to it and we started liking them and few became fan boys of samsung (not me).
    2. The rest of us (myself included) still were in urge to buy atleast one iPhone in life time for experiencing that ease OS, snappy OS. The risk takers went to buy iPhone (myself included).
    3. The rest (not me) had an alternative when windows OS came into picture, which had a new UI, snappy like iOS but cheaper like android and these went for windows and they became fans for windows OS.
    4. So, what I am trying to tell from this is, Windows OS is always a last option phone and if the continuum is available till lumia 520, then only people will opt for windows Phones, else your top end phones are of no use to anyone.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • sE5
      • 24 Jan 2016

      Continuum!!! LOL
      i better use my laptop

        ..., 21 Jan 2016thats not point of continuum but point is that it can also ... moreIt has to be dual screen supported. Unless you want to abruptly cancel all your work when someone suddenly calling your phone which trigger the phone's screen fired up and need display content and management. Or basically anything you want to do something on your phone.

        Dual screen output requirement doesn't mean both screen must remain lighten up. It's a precaution for some cases when both screen NEED to be lighten up.

          Anonymous, 21 Jan 2016Except the Lumia 2520 tablet, with a Snapdragon 800, suppor... moreWell ... For starter, I don't recall that those devices even get Windows 10 upgrades.

          And even if those devices entitled with Windows 10 upgrade, then they might not even have any difference with casting it's own display using miracast (which they already have on their Windows 8/8.1). They are tablets with large screen display already. The UI layout will be nearly identical with the external display anyway. Unlike Windows 10 Mobile, Continuum in Windows 10 is switching between destop and full screen mode when additional input (namely keyboard) attached/detached.

            • T
            • TJPII
            • jZD
            • 21 Jan 2016

            I really like android and have been revolted by Windows Phone. I'm not big on iPhone either. But I have to say, if Windows Phone could replace my Work PC for the things I do (Office mostly) then I would be eager to adopt one. I would put it on my desk, make a connection to my mouse, monitor, keyboard and I'm off and running with full desktop apps. I have my Bluetooth headset in case I get a call and I never miss a beat. When lunch comes up I disconnect, take my phone with me, and switch to Phone APP mode for those things that are supported. This would be really convenient if it can be done.

            I guess the main point is I Windows phone would be by absolute last choice for a phone but this capability would make it my 1st choice.

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              • ...
              • 39k
              • 21 Jan 2016

              AnonD-491083, 20 Jan 2016It has nothing to do with Microsoft being reluctant to supp... morethats not point of continuum but point is that it can also run only on big monitor when connected to dock without needing to show phone screen at same time, so why would it require dual monitor support
              and this seems just a skin for system they still haven't shown what this does beyond forcing apps to adapt to windows size,they still didn't show any benefits to it compared to some android skins which do this like remix os etc.

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                • Blech
                • Imy
                • 21 Jan 2016

                AnonD-467404, 20 Jan 2016bring it to mideatek processors too. then more Chinese comp... moreMediatek, blech. The GPUs in those are dogs for starters. The whole experience of Continuum is ruined if you use a junk SoC. If they support Mediatek it should only be for low-end phones WITHOUT Continuum support.

                Qualcomm's recent efforts are decent, but if they expand support they should instead go for Samsung Exynos and Intel's Cherry Trail, for starters.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • NSV
                  • 21 Jan 2016

                  kurotsuki, 20 Jan 2016Are you kidding? It's the SoC limitation. Even 615 does not... moreExcept the Lumia 2520 tablet, with a Snapdragon 800, supported a second display output, as did other Windows RT devices on a variety of SoCs (Surface RT on Tegra 3; Surface 2 on Tegra 4; Dell XPS10 on Snapdragon S4).

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                    • AnonD-491083
                    • QIp
                    • 20 Jan 2016

                    AJ_74, 20 Jan 2016As always, Microsoft is their own worst enemy. Continuum sh... moreIt has nothing to do with Microsoft being reluctant to support Continuum on previous Lumia flagships, it is a PHYSICAL impossibility.

                    Continuum is hardware dependent. In other words the Qualcomm chip has to support the ability to drive two displays at the same time. Older legacy Qualcomm chips such as the Snapdragon 800, 801 do not support dual display modes, so Continuum is impossible.

                    This is why the Lumia 950 and the Acer Jade Primo are the only phones that can run it.

                      AJ_74, 20 Jan 2016As always, Microsoft is their own worst enemy. Continuum sh... moreAre you kidding? It's the SoC limitation. Even 615 does not have external display support (Qualcomm themselves said this on their website). Let alone older ones like S4 (x20 series still using S4 and 520 does included in later updates for older devices). How will Continuum work then? It's not about performances. It's about SoC's capabilities.

                      You are not mistaken Continuum with display mirroring (where the monitor show an exact image with the phone's screen), are you?

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                        • AnonD-467404
                        • YTd
                        • 20 Jan 2016

                        bring it to mideatek processors too. then more Chinese companies will bring windows phone devices reducing it's price

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                          • Bomj
                          • 4yj
                          • 20 Jan 2016

                          AnonD-265082, 20 Jan 2016Why? Its buggy enough on the 808 and 810.Are you speaking from your own experience?

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                            • AJ_74
                            • k9s
                            • 20 Jan 2016

                            As always, Microsoft is their own worst enemy. Continuum should be supported by all Windows phones capable of running Windows 10. Let the user decide if the experience is good enough.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-200220
                              • KIB
                              • 20 Jan 2016

                              When will 930 gets its update from Dec 2015,you went to somewhat is 2016 wtf ms man I wasted money 💵 ms is a fail company what a waste of money now I have to sell this outdated crap

                                First fix your picture preview app crashes and calculator app load times then we will talk continuum as well.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-265082
                                  • Gjc
                                  • 20 Jan 2016

                                  Why? Its buggy enough on the 808 and 810.