The Surface Neo and Pro X needs a UWP APP

Benjamin Hill

I know this specific subject died down significantly after the "death" of the Windows Mobile Platform. However, I am here to encourage Logos/Faithlife to convert all their win32 development to UWP development. 

Why? The future of computing. Microsoft spent last week showing off their current products while giving the world a sneak peek at the prospect of computing. They demonstrated two devices that will be part of their future development, Neo and Duo. While Duo will be excellent running Logos on the Andriod App, Neo does not share the same fate. Also, Neo is going to be the more attractive device for Pastors on the go. Why? It has two 9 inch screens.

One use case that comes to mind is that the dual screens can provide the pastor with his sermon notes on one side of the device, and the other can have the Bible passage in his preferred translation. We are talking about a significant opportunity to improve the user experience when preaching. 

Second, the device serves as a laptop in a small form factor. Think of an iPad that can get work done because of a touch screen trackpad plus a more traditional keyboard that can magnetically connect to the device — having a full Logos experience. It can allow the pastor to write their complete sermon on the device. Also, if needed, you can use a mouse and the keyboard while using both screens. 

Third, Logos, except for the web app, will not be capable of running smoothly on Neo's new Windows 10X platform. The new platform, which is the future of Windows, will not be a win32 first machine. Instead, it is a UWP first machine. While it can run win32 in emulation mode, it is best suited for the native UWP apps being developed for the device. Faithlife, please move to this platform, it is vital for maximizing the productivity of your faithful users. 

Fourth, Microsoft is showing that they are serious about being a mobile-first company. As someone who has used the Surface devices on a surface, I can say from personal experience that Faithlife/Logos has dropped the ball with the touch and tablet interface modes. We deserve better, and Logos must be better. Building Logos on UWP will provide the new touch interface and controls surface users deserve. 

Fifth, if Logos builds the UWP app, it will allow pastors to use fewer devices in their workflow. It would let the Surface Pro devices to be entirely usable as both their PC for writing and research and presenting their sermons. 

Sixth, a UWP app would be permitted in the Windows Store on the desktop, making it safer and more accessible to download the app for devices. 

Seventh, a UWP app can be easily adjusted to be used on Xbox, HoloLens (Future is bright with this technology), Hub, Neo, and all PCs. 

Eighth, (currently an Apple device user: iPad Pro, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Macbook Pro) I believe Microsoft has a better feel for the future of computing than Apple.

There is a little less than a year until the expected full release of the Surface Neo. I want to know: Will Faithlife be ready for what the future holds? 

What are your thoughts? Do you have a desire to see Faithlife and Logos step up and move their development to the future platform for PC (UWP)? Would love to hear your thoughts community!

JT (alabama24)

Thoughts? Just like every year, Microsoft shows off “the future” of computing and then fails to deliver a marketable product. This will be the same. 

danwdoo

UWP is not the way to go (at least not at this time). How do we know? Office. If Microsoft has not converted the Office suite to UWP, you know there are significant hurdles or issues with UWP or Microsoft would have done this years ago. You don't see hardly any powerful desktop type apps for UDP and that suggests that UDP is just not up to that standard yet (if it ever will be). Until Microsoft puts Office on UWP, it isn't the future.

Microsoft has not said much about developing for the NEO, so we won't likely even know details about how to best do this until next year's Build conference in April or May. You are incorrect about this being a UWP 'first' machine. The Neo (unlike the Pro X) is running an Intel chip and so no emulation will be used for Win32 apps. This is also very likely to be a niche device so unless its sales take off spectacularly (unexpected) consider this a cool, but uncommon special use tool.

Regular desktop apps such as the existing Logos program can already be put in the store if the developer desires. There has just been little incentive to do so.

Why would you want logos on an XBox or HoloLense? Can you imagine indexing on those let alone 'typing' in complex searches? *shudder*