What secret does this mysterious Duo Bump surface hide?

Microsoft may have unveiled the Surface Duo last year, but since that October event (and before the release of ‘Vacation 2020’), details about the dual-screen device with Android have appeared, keeping interest in the new machine. .

Panos Panay’s latest tweet reveals that Microsoft’s Product Director is “quite excited” about the Duo … but has raised a question.

What is that mysterious raised area in the ‘back’ of the Surface Duo?

Some believe it is part of a bumper case for the Surface Duo. With their non-standard design, the protective cases may be in short supply when the Surface Duo is released, so it would make sense for Microsoft to sell a case along with the dual-screen device. But if it’s a bumper, why doesn’t it protect the hinges or the other half of the device?

Although the image quality leaves a bit to be desired, zooming in on the image and messing with the filters suggests that this is part of the real case. I am more inclined to this idea than to a case. Without a closer look at the design, this could be for several reasons. Two that jump to my mind; a bracket for rear-to-back orientation of the display because the hinge has a millimeter or two of clearance required, or raising one of the external antennas out of the core design.

Or maybe it’s just room for a bigger battery.

Finally, for now, this could be a modest screen. Sure, Microsoft has some features and hardware on the Surface Duo that aren’t in the public domain yet. The obvious hidden hardware is the camera unit, but there may be something else lurking. Remember that the Surface Book’s detachable screen party cheat was never demonstrated or even hinted at until the launch event, is there a similar surprise lurking on this Microsoft Android device?

It is worth remembering that this is not necessarily the final hardware. Even if that were available, Panay could still have an emotional connection to a previous physical model, and this is his personal device, rather than a “last build comp” version.

However, the heat under the speculation of the Surface Duo has picked up a bit more this Thanksgiving weekend.

Now read more about how Microsoft’s Windows 10 for ARM project has been legitimized by Apple …