Windows Continuum: What It Is (and Isn't) | Pocketnow

[@Pocketnow]

Hey folks! If you're writing to ask about the brown leather case on our Lumia 950, check out our full write-up (including photos) here: pocketnow.com/2015/11/25/lumia-950-mozo-case-wow ^M

[@cesarruiz1564]

+Darrell Jared syncing with you're desktop is basically the same thing, I see continuum as an emergency backup pc or a show-off feature, if you're getting you're pc fixed and have to do some work on PowerPoint or any other Microsoft office apps you have continuum or you just want to show you're friends so they all can say "how can you do that, can my phone do it" and you look at them and smile like DR. Evil and say no.

[@TheOriginalPain18]

+Pocketnow What's the point in it if you have windows 10 anyway?

[@TheOriginalPain18]

+TheOriginalPain18 Windows 10 tablet mode=continuum

[@fabersaber]

it will be nice to play stream games (dota 2 ) using smartphone and a monitor

[@JoRosieQueen68]

+Pocketnow They've copied Ubuntu's Edge Ultimate Smartphone idea in which you would be able to work on your pc and take it all in a smartphone with a PC like computing power.

[@bryanleebmy]

0:41 THAT'S THE COOLEST THING EVER! SCREW THE APPLE MOUSE, I WANT THAT

[@Pocketnow]

+Bryan Lee It's pretty fantastic. ^M

[@xalataf3365]

Screw Logitech! Apple and Microsoft are great!

[@Fals3Agent]

+Bryan Lee that's the Microsoft arc touch mouse, Microsoft makes some pretty cool mice. I use a MS sculpt touch mouse.

[@Fals3Agent]

+Arvid “Qwert” B. no, it's really solid once you pop it up! you really need to deliberately try to flatten it.

[@ankit22sharma]

+Bryan Lee It is called the magic mouse and it sucks anyways...Logitech...and razer make decent mice too ...check them out

[@ador7572]

A step in the right direction for Microsoft, where other brands keep linking phone to Pc.. Microsoft is already making a phone that is the pc. A few more improvements and this will probably replace low-end systems

[@danielm5633]

a smartphone is a PC, PCs are personal computers

[@huynhtranhung]

+ador757 Now the bigger problem is power management, yes you can run PC on a phone but you wouldn't expect it to last like 20 minutes.

[@MaxCaud]

+ador757 nope. If RT failed this will go nowhere, its about as useful as a chromebook (aka useless)

[@asjeot]

+Maxime Caudebec This a Hybrid device like the Surface. The RT simply evolved...

[@ador7572]

***** I don't think so, the chrome book was useless because most people could do the activities intended for a chrome book on their phone. The chrome book was not powerful enough to create an ecosystem on its own and was too bulky to carry around. This is different since most people have smartphones, imagine arriving from work and instead of turning on your laptop, you connect your phone and consume media similar to having a PC but not having to spend as much money. Most people don't want to purchase or carry around several devices , if they can bundle it all on one system they'll probably do. This enables Microsoft to reach out to people who want a decent system but are on budget or people who only consume digital media lightly.

[@jimwakelin1906]

Interesting to look back on this a whole 7 years later, a few lines in this like how you'll be dissapointed if you 'treat your phone like a PC' and it didn't have enough memory to run Google Hangouts really highlights the technological advancements made in the mobile computing space in that time. With other companies trying a similar thing, like Samsung with Samsung Dex, it really shows that like many things about Windows Phone (and Microsoft in general, historically speaking) their ideas were far ahead of the time, really.

[@saulghim2661]

Indeed, and it becomes even more apparent with many of the things they were researching and prototyping in their innovation labs from the '00s, and not just the products the launched early that failed, only for it's concept to succeed at a later date. I myself have a Galaxy S21+ with a Snapdragon 888 and 8GB of RAM, and I was surely surprised at just how powerful it is and how easily it can handle apps concurrently. I'm not saying it can replace a PC, and certainly not for professionals that need specialized software and the beefy hardware required accordingly. But I think for a surprising amount of people, with the right software support, it can be the true primary device for it all. Project Linda from Razer was also one such concept that I found fascinating, but also one that never came to be.

[@Bprovo]

Well I'm typing this in continuum and I have to say that I am enjoying the experience. It does everything that it advertised. As for x86 well of course that can be implemented in the future, that doesn't mean that the current project is a let down. Using continuum is still much much much better than not using it. The cool thing will come down to what hubs you use, what accessories you use and what needs you have, BTW I am not even using the Microsoft dock, there are other smaller and more compact docks out there.

[@mickeyu2893]

Honestly, if you have a monitor, mouse and keyboard, chances are you have a computer also, making this obsolete. Though it is cool, I'd like to see an updated version of this that could possibly run smoother and could also fix all the issues

[@Pocketnow]

+Hello BRo Indeed. We talked a lot about that possibility on the Pocketnow Weekly recently: pocketnow.com/2015/11/20/the-lumia-continuum-pocketnow-weekly-175 ^M

[@TheZaman_]

+Hello BRo That why people waiting for Surface phone with Intel X86 processor and the ability to use legacy apps. ARM processor does not cut..Continuum now running with ARM limitation.

[@leiya107]

+Hello BRo The word is "redundant", not "obsolete". I get your point though.

[@giovannidavidson3443]

Hello BRo Personally I do have a monitor, keyboard and a mouse lying around but the cpu is long dead and I think that's the case for a lot of ppl

[@mickeyu2893]

+Giovanni Davidson I disagree, most people have a mouse,monitor etc. and also have a computer. and generally if the CPU is dead then you would most likely buy another computer or laptop which will defeat the purpose of continuum. i doubt the average person just has a couple monitors and keyboards laying around without a single computer

[@FloorManiac]

@guitaraflamenco the benefit of it not being a phone dock is that you can actually use the phone as a touch pad (mouse) and a keyboard if needed. Also, the phone is still fully functional while in continuum.

[@PatrickDKing]

This is good to know. I think I was expecting a little bit more because I was hyped up from Microsoft's webinar on continuum.

[@sayresyDevino]

Thanks Michael...This has to be the run up to the Surface Pro phone. Running full desktop x86 apps. Then what's available in the MS store wont matter quite so much.

[@ericwheelhouse4371]

Darn shame windows killed their smartphone. They could have a whole ARM architecture now running how they dreamed today.

[@1mijaz]

0:02 what kind of keyboard is that whats the advantage of such design

[@LIVEWIREMEDIAENT]

Excellent review Micheal... I see great potential in this ...

[@ArthurEmbleton]

Very impressive. It might not be ready to replace a desktop, but in a few years it could be the norm.

[@mostlymessingabout]

Its actually really wonderful. I'm typing this now on a Lumia 950 XL, mouse and keyboard...

[@Sujal2007]

Link to the keyboard?

[@MichaelFisher_Captain2Phones]

+Edison Tsang That's it right there.

[@JoeCannon1982]

that Microsoft new $99 foldable keyboard I'm not sure what its called though

[@MSMSValve]

Miracast. Continuum works over Miracast, and it works quite well. I don't believe anyone believes that continuum is supposed to replace your PC in all cases (and Microsoft never stated that this is the case). I think that for productivity use it is amazing, and this is where it'll shine.

[@MShah-wg8iq]

Brilliant review fisher.

[@iamtheblackwizard88]

Hey, I was thinking to switch to continuum maybe in a year or two. I don't game anymore on a PC so the stuff I do is pretty basic downloading,watching movies,listening to music and web surfing. Do you think this would be a good option for me? I don't want to jump on the first version right away though .... I'm pretty sure there'll be a better display dock and phones will overall become better so maybe in a few years they could eventually run Steam and some easy going games?

[@M3rsh]

What phone is that at 4:36?

[@mowudajing]

this is a real review telling us the advantage and disadvantage of continuum.

[@brettisamasing]

What about using the XL? Aren't the specs a little more beefed up? Wouldn't that possibly provide a better continuum experience?

[@Rafal_Soboczynski]

i think this is one of the best videos i have seen about continuum function, personally i have the same views about it as you do Michael, light work maybe some fun sometimes. Like leave you dock connected to TV have mice and keyboard ready, then use for netflix, maybe some light browsing, after all it is a PHONE first. Now there is a lot of talk about the rumored surface/panos phone, wherever I read about it on forums people cant wait to have phone which runs x86 apps, so they can almost replace their laptops, myself I cant see this happening just yet. looking at surface 3 (not pro version) it was underpowered, people complained, what do most people think Panos and his team can squeeze into phone, its not going to be like having i5, not even i3 laptop. Myself I see no point in Microsoft creating intel phone, i would rather have very powerfull arm device (snapdragon 820 will be pretty powerful) but with better app support. Just look how well does mail and calendar, photos app and Sygic and all other universal apps run on the device. I hope with redstone some more continuum functionality like multitasking (atleast 2 app) will be available. Anyway in my opinion for now development of universal apps should be the future of phone computing, as they can be made to do some medium workload, but leave the x86 as heavy apps to run on PC

[@pjsw]

great video as always

[@brwm-uw7yk]

is the keyboard at 0:01 comfortable? if so, can you review it too Michael? Anyway great video thumbs up!

[@Middle-of-nowhere]

Thank you,Micheal I love your videos

[@PawanKumar-eq8yi]

The best explanation of Continuum so far. (Y) b/w which Mouse is that?

[@youngking6456]

+Pocketnow I think continuum is meant to be used on a larger processor that i believe the 810 is which means it will run much fluently and quite better on the 950 XL. AM looking forward to seeing a complete review of the XL.

[@nathanford3597]

1:50 in video what is that...

[@mariovinicius3111]

Like the case :), good review bro!

[@Boss-gk1ym]

Can this Display Dock also be used as a USB/display hub when connected to the USB-C port on the Surface Book 2?

[@gnifle79]

Like your videos! The exiting Continuum feature is a view into the future. I hope you try the above with a Lumia 950 XL, it should have a lot more power and be able to run the desktop experience better.

[@firoz554]

Sir please tell me the details of that wired keyboard you used. Thanks

[@outlanderboi]

what was that series you were watching where the guy was teaching painting?

[@utubedano]

What a great start BY Microsoft in this area! I don't see anyone else in this yet. Great work! Glad to see Microsoft coming back so strongly and convincingly!

[@coxLPs]

This is awesom I hope that will be expanded so that we will have a real ARM Windows 10 in the Future.

[@minimelegend]

this has potential for the future, continuum on a phone or tablet, maybe for more demanding stuff an extra hardware for those that need it.

[@lookslikeitisme]

Great video, thanks! :)

[@hvideosmore9526]

Can you open two or more excel (or word) files at the same time?

[@LeonNikkidude]

Hi.You didn't get Star Trek to work in full screen I noticed.Can you make it full screen?

[@catdaddyxoxo]

Excellent review of continuum. Great first step by microsoft. As smartphones become more powerful, looking forward to seeing it become a full windows experience.

[@georget10i]

This is a step in the right direction, a natural progression and has a lot of potential. If Microsoft does not abandon it and keeps developing it, in 5 years this should be good enough to replace a computer for a lot of people.

[@randomaznken1]

Microsoft should consider making a laptop dock for the lumias. Something like an Asus Padfone X that will make use of continuum in a portable design.

[@LuideMulumba]

I'd imagine this is for someone with a portable keyboard and mouse who plans to use their TV for light productivity/entertainment. This can easily be a big thing in the next few years, once phones move to CISC processors.

[@westcoastninja72]

I'm curious to know if windows 10 mobile edge browser opens PDF files in WebPages?

[@vusalganboyzada9852]

@Christian Mertensk i dont think so my friend. The problem would probably be the lack of drivers on lthe lumia..windows mobile officialy supports the mouse system as you see in the setting menu..but for another monitor's touch screen you need special drivers .. Example is the ActiveBoard of Promethean.this kinda school board need a driver to be installed on the pc..but lumia is not an actual Pc.so that you cant use touch screen

[@Angel-yg6ef]

I think there is a lot of potential in this idea as long as Microsoft keeps working on it day and night. This will require a lot of optimization and in time, the hardware will become more powerful and accessible. So, hold on tight fellas.

[@jasonthaler7328]

Bob Ross? For real? Man u are such a cool dude :D

[@karateka9541]

This is a very good review, thanks for the advice! :-)

[@daddyalbano]

great reviews as always, what keyboard is that? (the thin foldable one) great first look into what the future of smartphones hold, an actually full mini computer in your pocket. all great things have a beginning, this is the start of that vision.

[@ACNEtzGamer]

It is a Microsoft keyboard (that is all I know)

[@daddyalbano]

Cool, I'll look it up, thank you.

[@shobin05]

I have a monitor in my room right now, and I'm using my laptop as the cpu to power the monitor to watch movies, I only use it to watch movies, I think in that case, I'm one of the few, few people that would really appreciate this feature. I can understand everyone else's argument on it not being a compelling feature until win32 app support is enabled.

[@erickromero8587]

where did you get that mouse

[@amirulizzat7395]

can that x86 issue be mitigated if microsoft used an intel x86 atom processor... just curious.....

[@NOYBZ]

I honestly believe this will improve in the future.it can happen but only time will tell

[@JackStavris]

I'm really hoping if an Intel Atom x86 based phone comes out with more RAM this will have the ability to run full WIn32 applications in Continuum mode. Now that would be a full PC in your pocket, something an old-school Windows Mobile fan like me would appreciate.

[@moto.negro-ren]

hmm. just thinkin why microsoft didnt use x86 processors (intel atom) for the continuum. that would make more sense right?

[@ACNEtzGamer]

Battery life and heat!

[@tonyc5384]

+ren santiago Intel has not produce a low power high performance x86-64 processor for the mobile phone yet. Existing Atom processors used in Android tablets and phones are fairly average performer. Atom powered Surface 3 seems snappy, but shrink down to a phone form factor? Maybe not ready yet. For Continuum to really shine, Intel still needs work. Microsoft is laying the ground work, waiting for the hardware to catch up.

[@brevoo88]

So the sound output isn't from a monitor? From the phone ?

[@selwynandrews9665]

I love Michael Fisher's 'Nathan Lane playing a hard-boiled detective' delivery...hehe.

[@sj5089]

What's the name of the Bluetooth keyboard?

[@MrChomiq]

Does the screen always stays on when running Continuum?

[@IIIJFRIII]

LOL!!! Such an amazing review, the Bob Ross and Star Trek TNG was awesome. The only thing better was letting know about steam. I really love this new windows phone. I switched from windows phone to the galaxy s4 and so happy that it look good enough to go back. For what I use my phone for it is more then I need, the price and high specs of the 950 xl is very apealling to me. I think windows may have finally done it, and got there phone game right. They just need to keep the good momentum and get some mainstream apps online. Any word on when we can see a lumia 950 xl review @Pocketnow?? Keep up the great work, you are my go to source on anything phone related guys.

[@MrKodanNche]

If Microsoft had used an intel atom cherry trail processor with an x86 architecture, you would be able to run legacy Windows programs and even multitask in windowed mode. It would basically be a true pc. Their choosing an ARM processor and advertising Continuum with it is a pretty bad mistake. Those new intel atom processors can run both ARM based OSs and x86 OSs. Not that the SD 808 is bad, but it's not a good combination with Continuum.

[@KennyChu]

+MrKodanNche So true. Maybe 10 years down the pipeline we would see that happening

[@MrKodanNche]

+Kenny Chu Yes, in ten years a lot of technological advancements will be made, but Microsoft already had the necessary technology to make Continuum run as a full pc. They chose poorly when it comes to the processor.

[@KennyChu]

Phone still a phone unless Microsoft call it a Surface Phone

[@SaHaRaSquad]

"It's not an escape from the limitations of a smartphone" - Too bad. That means I'll stay with my Blackberry Passport as planned(which seems to have far less limitations than continuum).

[@FluffyDragonKitten]

***** Wew lad.

[@navketjha6269]

k.

[@kylenetherwood8734]

Get the priv; it looks amazing.

[@SaHaRaSquad]

Kyle Netherwood It's got Android though. Currently BB10 still has more functionality and much better multitasking, not to mention security. Hopefully this changes with Android 7 or 8. But yeah, the Priv still is a cool device.

[@kylenetherwood8734]

SaHaRaSquad You can just mod your android and you get the best app ecosystem out there.

[@islamicaffairs5162]

whats about storage memory when you using it at pc standerd its cant be at that much better

[@hackingFool]

which keyboard is he using in this video ?? can anyone help me with this ??

[@user-sj2sd3ei1n]

STOP 00:40 that keyboard and mouse fly af

[@stvnpham]

What HP desktop is that?

[@samvid1992]

Only issue with Continuum is that it is new and not much apps have taken advantage of it just like force touch feature of apple. Just wait for few months and see the difference.

[@7asonadam1997]

This guy... Superb Revoew

[@frankdavis7978]

Are we enjoying the Mozo case? ^.^

[@danithunder1980]

It's not like a full pc but it's the beggining of a big idea. In the future, who knows.

[@pdcs.serrano]

It's supposed to be for LIGHTER things, such as writing a simple Word document or multimedia consumption, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED to write a research paper using that from scratch (maybe just little editing) or for HEAVY VIDEO EDITING. But having a phone instead of a full-powered PC would cut off electricity expenses if you don't do heavy stuff much.

[@timppa600]

Is that a Mozo cover on that Lumia?

[@apurvpatani]

timppa600 Yep

[@kavatichinna5500]

I am a big fan of yours. Michael fisher

[@w99mmt]

I prefer Apple's approach of having all the devices work seamless, continuously together. Having the phone as a full desktop sounds great but it's not there yet, maybe years away from a solid product.

[@darkgravityplay1904]

@PRASHANT SINGH Microsoft arc mouse. There's an arc keyboard too

[@sonofmann]

Why didn't you use a 950xl

[@quidproquo82]

This is so the future of computing. We're not far off from a time when cell phones will be as powerful as laptop computers. With cloud computing, all the horsepower you need would be in the cloud.

[@ronieirlangga8774]

is it posible, if i use continuum while i'm playing just dance?

[@KyleRichoux]

This may sound stupid, but does it support flash games?

[@supbrotv]

Theyre still making windows phone?

[@coldspring22]

Sort of disappointed that Continuum does not allow side-by side or multi windows. Samsung Galaxy Note with floating windows multi-tasking seem to deliver more dekstop like experience than Windows Continuum. It's easy to pair it up with bluetooth keyboard, mouse and a monitor using miracast or chromecast.

[@dchao22]

got to love Bob Ross paintings.

[@LZentertainments]

Once the Surface phone is out, this will be a different story. Continuum seems to be the future of phones.

[@thatawkwardguy29]

Hey pocketnow i want that mouse. Can u plz tell me that is name of it!

[@pAirA_]

+PRASHANT SINGH Surface Arc. Michael said it right when he showed the mouse

[@gguybr]

Would you say continuum behaves like airdroid or pushbullet?

[@KamranKhan-qp8mo]

nice suggestion what Microsoft have done. but not good enough after watching videos it doesn't look good , they should include continuum in the box with the phone at same price??

[@NicsNattapol]

Happy Little Tree Right There KappaRoss

[@WinterWolfTUTS]

Ahhh the times where Michael Fisher was still part of PocketNow...

[@alexcheetah79]

intel atom + windows phone = game over.

[@hidde1626]

Does it work with minecraft windows 10

[@Molejules]

Well, stop the review right there.

[@Pocketnow]

Mister +Jules Wang with the cameo, ladies and gents! ^M

[@niFeforever]

Nobody here even mentions Bob Ross 2:45

[@xanpagebrown]

is it me or is there artifacting in the top left corner of the screen

[@FlowUrbanFlow]

I just want this from a stand alone smartwatch.

[@caymank1971]

@1mijaz it is a foldable keyboard.

[@repeatrepeatrepeat]

if this is a lightweight windows 10, without all the x86 malware then it could be great replacement for low end rigs.

[@n3o3x]

Windows RT in a nutshell...

[@repeatrepeatrepeat]

but this will (probably) have the app ecosystem and quality that the RT lacked.

[@SadGoldenPuppy]

+blueman24 And their is the problem. Probably'.

[@SaHaRaSquad]

+blueman24 As long as these phones don't get x86 architecture, this will stay a wish.

[@MrShadowMusical]

+Grayson Maximillian Phoenix there*

[@n3o3x]

+blueman24 in the end, a continuum of RT.

[@TheXextreem]

You need to update this!

[@thelegendgamer33]

2:51 Bob Ross lel

[@ronnietjikoeri9965]

it makes more sense to buy a Surface tablet and plug that into its dock i know its not a phone but if you sit at a desk it doesnt matter that much