HP’s New Smartphone Wants to Replace Your Work Computer

3 minute read

If there’s one phrase that sums up how Microsoft envisions the future of Windows, it’s “mobile first, cloud first.” CEO Satya Nadella has used that language time and time again when discussing the company’s products and priorities. Now, a new phone from HP shows exactly what that concept looks like when applied to mobile hardware.

HP’s Elite x3 is a Windows 10-powered smartphone launching this summer and aimed at business consumers. The company is hoping employees will use it as their only work device, replacing their desktop or laptop computers. How? HP’s x3 is the first non-Microsoft smartphone to support Continuum, a new feature that lets the handset power a desktop-like experience complete with keyboard and mouse when attached to those devices through a special dock.

HP will also be offering what it calls a “Mobile Extender,” which turns the x3 into a laptop-style device. The extender comes with a 12.5-inch screen attached to a keyboard. There’s no processor or storage inside, as it uses the phone for all of its computing needs. With the x3, HP’s goal is to make it easier for workers to carry their devices between home and the office, as the mobile extender is lighter than an average laptop. But the setup will still require employees to carry two devices — the handset and the laptop shell.

See How Microsoft Windows Has Evolved Over 30 Years

Microsoft Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 The seminal version of Windows released on November 20, 1985. Users could run programs in multiple windows simultaneously, sparing them the nuisance of quitting one application before launching another one.Microsoft
Microsoft Windows 95
Windows 95 released on August 24, 1995, equipping users with their first Start menu, as well as minimize and maximize buttons. Roughly 8 in 10 of the world's PC's were running Windows at the time of its release.Microsoft
Microsoft Windows 2000
Windows 2000 launched on February 17, 2000. Rocker Carlos Santana performed his song "Smooth" at the launch party, but the rollout proved bumpy due to several hack attacks that made headline news. Microsoft was forced into defense, releasing security patches throughout the product's lifecycle.Microsoft
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Windows Vista released on January 30, 2007, on the heels of the massive success of Windows XP. Vista proved to be a harder sell. Despite security improvements and graphical flourishes, such as transparent window panes and smoother animations, corporate users blanched at the initial price tag and the onerous licensing requirements. Adoption rates flagged as users stuck to their older versions of WindowsMicrosoft
Windows 7 released on October 22, 2009 to rave reviews and a palpable sense of relief that Microsoft had recovered from the missteps of Windows Vista. The system introduced a new "Snap" feature that enabled users to easily snap windows into place, side-by-side, for easy multitasking. It also debuted touch gestures in response to the burgeoning market for touchscreen devices.Microsoft
Windows 8 released on October 26, 2012, attempted to radically redesign the start screen with "Live Tiles," a grid of commonly used apps designed for easy touching. The vast majority of Windows users continued to use the desktop PC's, however, and found the redesign, particularly the loss of the Start button, disorienting.Microsoft
Windows 8.1 released on 17, 2013, attempts to bridge the chasm gap between touch and PC interfaces, offering users their choice of Start screens. By now, tech pundits have a theory: every release of Windows alternates between hits and misses, setting expectations high for the next version, Windows 10.Microsoft
Windows 10 which released on July 29, 2015, blends the familiar layout of Windows 7 with touch features from Windows 8. The Start menu makes a grand reentrance, with Live Tiles discreetly tucked inside. Cortana, Microsoft's speech-activated assistant for smartphones, will also debut across all devices.Microsoft

To serve as a laptop replacement, the x3 needs a lot of battery life, and HP delivers. The handset packs a monstrous 4,150 mAh battery, compared to the iPhone 6s Plus’ 2,750 mAh battery and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus’ 3,000 mAh cell. For a phone of its size — the screen measures 5.9 inches — the Elite x3 is fairly lightweight. Its matte finish makes the device feel durable and easy to grip. HP also says the phone is well-suited to conference calls and video chat sessions, thanks to its eight-megapixel front camera and Bang & Olufsen speakers.

While the concept of only using one device for work sounds appealing, Continuum is still in its early stages. Only a small number of apps are optimized to work with it, which could lead to a limited experience. Still, workers who do the lion’s share of their work in Microsoft’s Office suite and a web browser may find Continuum-enabled phones are enough to get the job done.

Though it’s made by HP, the Elite x3 is telling of Microsoft’s new mobile strategy. Its Windows Phone mobile operating system never saw widespread adoption, overshadowed by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. But neither of those operating systems are capable of powering a desktop-style experience like Windows 10 can. That advantage should help Microsoft pitch its latest operating system as a productivity tool. Still, it’s unclear if that will be enough to convince users, or their companies, to embrace Windows on mobile devices.

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