The Surface Duo SDK Preview for developers is available

Hello awesome Android developers!

This post is the first in a series designed to keep us connected with you as you build new app experiences using the Surface Duo Preview SDK for developers.

Figure 1: Microsoft Surface Duo

Surface Duo Developer Experience Team

We are the Developer Experience Team and we’re responsible for delivering the Surface Duo SDK, tools, emulator images, documentation, and samples.

Our intent is to have an open channel of communication with you to frequently update you on the program, share development tips and considerations, discuss aspects of developing for dual-screen in general and Surface Duo specifically, and answer any questions you might have.

Feel free to comment, send us questions, and reach out with suggestions, concerns, or any other development-related topics for Surface Duo SDK.

Let’s start with the Surface Duo developer preview:

Dual-screen preview SDKs announced

On January 22^nd we announced the availability of Surface Duo Preview SDK for developers.

The package includes:

• Native Java APIs to support dual-screen development for the Surface Duo device, including the DisplayMask API, Hinge Angle Sensor, and new device capabilities.
• An Android Emulator with a preview Surface Duo image that is integrated into Android Studio. You can test your app without a Surface Duo device. The emulator simulates postures, gestures, hinge angle; mimics the seam between the two screens; and more. We’ll continue to add functionality over time.
• Documentation for dual-screen app development.
• Includes a set of Java samples in GitHub.
• Check out our Xamarin.Form support in the Xamarin Blog.

We want to meet developers where they’re at to help as they develop for Duo—we’re here to support Android developers on Mac, Linux, and Windows.

Feel free to use your favorite IDE. We’ve been using Android Studio, Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code. Let us know how you develop your apps!

Our first preview includes Native Java based API and Xamarin support, and future we will support additional platforms

You can follow the instruction below on how to get the package and you can also find them on Surface Duo Development Docs

Using the Emulator

We’ve partnered with Google to include the Surface Duo image natively in the Android Studio and Android Emulator using QEMU. Your experience using the emulator will be similar to what you’re used to with other Android Development tools and can be done directly within Android Studio.

Figure 2: Android Studio Integrated directly with the Surface Duo Image

The Surface Duo Image includes a dual-screen layout, a seam between them, and has the look and feel of a real device following the same aspect ratio.

Figure 3: The Android Emulator with a preview Surface Duo image

Our APIs are built into this image so you can try them out with your own app or with one of our samples.

BE sure to try out the new gestures we’ve added. They can help you span your app to both screens, or to move it from one screen to the other

Figure 4: Span your app to both screens

Read our full documentation on how to use the emulator and test your app, and be sure to check out our samples for dual-screen patterns to be added to your app.

Give us feedback

We would love to hear from you on the usage of the SDK and emulator.

Send your feedback and let us know how we can help you be more productive, or any other suggestions you might have.

Don’t forget to check us out Tuesday, February 11th at 8:30 AM PDT at the Microsoft 365 Developer Day for Dual-Screen Experiences.

And as always, feel free to Direct Message me on Twitter, GitHub or Email.

Thank you,

Guy Merin, Development Manager, Surface Duo Developer Experience Team