Today is a day of wonderment and joy for the owners of the original Surface Duo because after languishing on Android 10 since it launched, Microsoft’s foldable device is finally getting its Android 11 update that was supposed to roll out before the end of 2021. The Android 11 OTA is rolling out to unlocked Surface Duo units in North America and Europe, right now.
The Android 11 update bumps the software version to 2021.1027.156 and has the following changelog:
- Upgrades the Android operating system to Android 11. For more information about Android 11, see Android 11.
- Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin—January 2022.
- New Surface Duo features
- Enabled launching of OneNote when clicking the top button on Surface Slim Pen 2. It requires Surface Slim Pen 2 to be paired with Surface Duo.
- Enabled in Surface Duo features, in Settings, to choose a preference for answering phone calls when folded.
- Enabled in Surface Duo features, in Settings, to choose specific apps to automatically span across both screens when you open them.
- Optimized Quick Settings and notification width for portrait and landscape orientations.
- Adjust media volume directly from Quick Settings in any device mode.
- Use thumb mode in Microsoft SwiftKey now with all device modes and application states.
- The updated app drawer and folder design with improved drag-and-drop support.
- Refreshed Microsoft feed design with updated cards and new Microsoft Start widgets for News and Weather.
- Photos by OneDrive: New dual-screen enhanced experience for viewing and editing photos in the OneDrive app.
- Xbox Game Pass: Discovery and play games from the cloud with an on-screen controller. Some devices, accessories, and software are sold separately. Additional fees and/or subscriptions are required for some apps and features.
- Send feedback to Microsoft by opening Settings, then tap About, then tap Give feedback to Microsoft.
Those with locked or unlocked Surface Duo devices from AT&T will need to wait a little while further while the update receives its final validation from the carrier.
For everyone else with the original Surface Duo, do you feel vindicated for having kept the faith that Microsoft would let you down again with the Android 11 update?
