Microsoft just showed off a sweet super-secret Surface device with two screens

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Breaking from the traditional veil of secrecy, Microsoft’s Surface team showed off a dual-screen Surface device to employees at a recent all-hands event.

That’s according to The Verge’s sources, who describe an out-of-the-ordinary event where employees “formed long lines” to see the new device.

Codename Centaurus sounds pretty cool

If you need any more proof that this isn’t the Microsoft of yesterday, this event is it. Normally, we’d find out about prototypes and in-development devices after the release, if at all.

• Microsoft might be close to releasing the device in the next six months or so
• Originally, the Surface team was working on a smaller, phone-sized device, code-named Andromeda. The company put those plans on hold for the larger device, Centaurus
• If Microsoft goes to market with this dual-screen Surface, it will likely be one of the first devices running Windows Lite, a stripped-down version of Windows that is aimed at dual-screen devices and as a Chromebook competitor
• The Surface team has been working closely with Intel on the new form factor

Other stuff on show at the all-hands event included a working demo of xCloud, Microsoft’s upcoming cloud game streaming service. Expect to hear more on this after the Xbox showcase at E3 this coming Sunday.

What do you think? Interested in the new dual-screen Surface device? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Sony and Microsoft are joining forces to work on cloud gaming services
• For some reason, Tesla owners will soon be able to play Cuphead in their cars
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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.