Microsoft is done supporting the original Surface Duo, three years after it first launched on September 10. The company has stated from the very start that the Surface Duo would receive just three years of OS updates, meaning today is the last day that Microsoft has to stay true to its word.
Going forward, Microsoft will no longer ship new OS updates or security patches for the original Surface Duo, meaning Android 12L is the last version of the OS it will ever officially receive. Surface Duo only ever got two major OS updates, one shy of the average three that most high-end flagship Android devices get these days.
Zune : Never forget
Music players in general haven’t been doing well. Phones are too big to be proper replacements for all uses.
They’re doing pretty good, they just aren’t a huge market like they used to be. It is a niche market nowadays.
Typically you only see people buying one for one of three reasons:
They cannot have a phone/do not want a phone
They want to separate music listening from their source of contact (getting a phone call forces you from the music)
They chase higher fidelity audio (only the case with quality DAPs)
4 (bonus). Phone has no headphone jack, but that’s usually only the case in conjunction with 3
I still use my 2016 SE despite having a never phone. But I need pockets to carry that around, custom fit pockets if I want to be able to run with it without it being obstructive, because of how big even that old phone is.
3 and 4 can be fixed with a portable USB DAC/AMP. Lots of options there.
Try going on a run with one of those. I have them too but they both have their places.
Plus in my experience, DAPs tend to be able to fit bigger amps in them than USB DACs which is good for driving less efficient headphones.
Gods I loved my Zune.
If I could find a digital audio player like the Zune but with support for Tidal I’d be so happy.
I know Fiio makes some music players, not sure about Tidal though.
WM1AM2, though if you’re fine with using Bluetooth streaming (LDAC) on the WM1A I’d recommend getting that and installing walkman one on it instead.
I’d really rather not encourage the android based DAPs, it is good for a phone or tablet, but it makes the DAP part a bigger pain in the ass since they typically do NOT get updates to the base operating system, namely due to the fact that they have to design the audio component from the ground up. Linux based DAPs are a lot better in my experience.
I’ll say that it is easier for me because I download most of my music, but I don’t have any problem streaming from my devices to my WM1A. Keep in mind you’re likely to be within earshot of these devices anyways because a DAP isn’t going to have a sim card, so it either needs WiFi or proximity to a device that does, but the benefit with LDAC is that you have your library accessible from those devices as well.
The price alone makes that a non-start for me, but thank you for the recommendation nonetheless!
Yeah that’s kinda why I recommended the previous model. The amp is pretty much the same and you can get them on eBay in great condition for about $400. The A55 is also a great choice that can be had for about $150, however if you want something cheaper that can stream, I’d check out the HiBy R3 or R3II
I’ll look at those, thank you!