Microsoft set to launch Surface Duo

Microsoft is set to launch the Surface Duo next month.

The Duo will be the company’s first foldable smartphone and will reportedly launch on September 10 with a price tag of US$1,400.

The phone will include two separate 5.6-inch displays. When open, these two displays will work as one to form a 8.1-inch one.

Apps will work across both displays and Microsoft says content can be easily switched between the two.

The Surface Duo design includes a 360-degree hinge that allows it to either open like a book or fold all the way back like a smartphone, among other positions and angles.

Lenovo online sales up due to Covid-19

Lenovo’s online sales shot up 53% during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company’s revenue increased by 7% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020, reaching US$13.3 billion.

The rise in people working and learning from home has contributed to this increase, the company says.

“Work-from-home demand has been a clear catalyst for thin-and-light notebook PC sales, while consumers are buying more gaming PCs to meet their play-from-home requirements,” the company stated.

“E-learning has emerged as a consistent driver across all regions and the Group’s Chromebook shipments increased by 17% y-o-y.”

In addition to that, the company has seen a big growth in its e-commerce platform, with 53% y-o-y growth during the second quarter.

Facebook merging Messenger and Instagram app features

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Facebook is working to integrate its messaging platforms for Instagram and Messenger.

Over the last few days, people across the world, using both iOS and Android devices, have reported changes to their screens when launching the Instagram chat service.

An update screen is popping up for some users of the mobile app, telling them “There’s a new way to message on Instagram” – and the new way includes chatting with friends who use Facebook.

Users who have clicked to complete the update report the arrow at the top right of the Instagram app, which usually directs users to the direct messages section, turns into the Facebook Messenger logo.

It is not known when the rollout will be completed.