Surface Duo- Logos Android app on both screens.

Duncan Campbell
Duncan Campbell Member Posts: 132
edited November 21 in English Forum

Hi,

I’m considering moving from my Note 9 Android phone to the Microsoft Surface Duo, which has recently seen a large price drop, making it more affordable. I’m thinking it would be a good footprint to be portable, and be able to preach from.

I wonder if any of you have the Surface Duo, and if you can confirm if it is able to run 2 instances of the Logos Android app, one on each screen, which I believe can be done with some other apps. I also like the idea of controlling Proclaim slides from the Proclaim app on one screen, while reading my sermon notes from Word on the other screen.

At first glance it looks as if it could be really useful for ‘on the go’ bible study, and sermon pre as well.

I appreciate any insights any of you may be able to give.

Blessings

Duncan

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Comments

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle Member, MVP Posts: 32,441 ✭✭✭

    I wonder if any of you have the Surface Duo

    I don't have the device so don'r have any first-hand knowledge of this.

    and if you can confirm if it is able to run 2 instances of the Logos Android app, one on each screen, which I believe can be done with some other apps

    As per https://devblogs.microsoft.com/surface-duo/bring-your-app-to-surface-duo-step-2/ there is some work to be done to enable dual-screen support or the abilty to run multiple instances. I would be surprised if Faithlife have done this work at this stage.

    However, you could run separate Faithlife apps - such as the Verbum and Logos app - and I would expect you would be able to run one on each screen.

    I also like the idea of controlling Proclaim slides from the Proclaim app on one screen, while reading my sermon notes from Word on the other screen.

    I expect that would work and seems like a really nice use for this device.

    However, are you aware that in the current version of the mobile app you can control sermon slides directly from the sermon app and so don't need to be running the Proclaim app to control slides (assuming you simply want to move slides forward in line with your sermon points)?

  • Duncan Campbell
    Duncan Campbell Member Posts: 132

    Thanks for the reply Graham.

    I never thought of using Verbum and Logos as the 2 apps, that would work.

    I suppose the Logos Web app could also be an option on one screen, as the screen is a bit bigger than a regular phone screen, and might be useful if I need to use some features not in the Android app. I never thought of that either.

    I didn’t realise slides could be advanced from inside the Logos app, in a sermon. I’d probably still use the Proclaim app for controlling slides, as I tend to preach from my notes in a Word doc, but could do that with the 2 screens. I’m also thinking, if preaching  in a different church, I could run PowerPoint on one screen, wirelessly connected.

    Thanks for your input Graham, it was really helpful.

    Duncan 

  • Duncan Campbell
    Duncan Campbell Member Posts: 132

    Thanks Graham, that information was really helpful.

    I hadn’t thought of using Verbum along with Logos. That would be a good solution. I’m assuming I still get my full library in the Verbum app? Also, given the screen size, I guess I could also use the Logos Web App if I need some features not in the Android app, if doing sermon prep on the go.

    Thanks

    Duncan

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle Member, MVP Posts: 32,441 ✭✭✭

    That would be a good solution. I’m assuming I still get my full library in the Verbum app?

    Assuming you use the same login credentials you will have access to the same set of library resources - you can choose which you donwload into which. If you wanted the same resource downloaded into both of them it would take us twice the amount of space on the device

    Also, given the screen size, I guess I could also use the Logos Web App if I need some features not in the Android app, if doing sermon prep on the go.

    Yes - but worth checking if the mobile app gives you the required functionality as well.

  • Duncan Campbell
    Duncan Campbell Member Posts: 132

    Just wanted to update this thread for the benefit of anyone else who may be considering getting the Surface Duo.
    Mine arrived today.

    Much to my pleasant surprise, on the Surface duo 1 if I have the logos app on 1 screen with 2 books open on split screen setting, say a commentary and a bible, like I often would on my regular phone, when I drag the app to span the 2 screens, it places one of the books on each screen, full height. This makes for an enjoyable reading experience for me.

    Blessings

    Duncan

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 501 ✭✭

    How is the speed of the original Surface Duo? The newer one is supposed to have more high-end specs that the original did not.

  • Duncan Campbell
    Duncan Campbell Member Posts: 132

    So far, I’ve not noticed any speed issues. Other than the camera which seems to have a slow shutter, not really an issue for me, and is one which I had read about anyways. I’ll probably try a 3rd party camera app to see if that improves It.

    I still need to test it running few apps at the one time to be sure on speed. It did heat up a little when installing its updates when I first switched it on, but not that much. When I get a chance I’ll try it with Logos running along with Proclaim, and doing running some more complex stuff in Logos to see.

    The new Duo is a better specification, but has a large camera bump, and is a lot more expensive. I got the 256gb original version brand new still sealed with full warranty for about a third of the price of the new version. I didn’t really have the budget to go for the new model, and not sure about the camera bump. So far, really liking the form factor for reading from, and will fit nicely in my suit pocket if using it to preach from on a Sunday, or for a funeral. Plan to fit a black leather skin over the bright white backs.