Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Fun!

Thought I'd share a couple of snaps of how one can be set up with the Duo, with peripheral equipment (even if one doesn't have DeX or Ready4). Unbelievably, the hookup to Microsoft's Phone Link on the PC is far from rock solid (as it is with DeX), particularly with regards to flaky Bluetooth connections - a topic we'll cover in PSC soon - so other options are here and pretty good.

Firstly, the 3D Printed DuoDock, which works well (despite my USB-C port concerns) and ensures the device gets ongoing power (or connection - or in fact both, when using an adapter). These come from USA and cost (with shipping) $60. $40 if you live there.

Next, the Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard which is rock solid and works beautifully with the Duo, except that I can't seem to stop the onscreen keyboard from popping up when using it as well - I'm sure I'm missing a setting somewhere. Or maybe it only works with MS's keyboard and not GBoard.

The Surface Slim Pen - this is the OG one, donated generously by long-time listener @James Cook, so huge thanks to him. It doesn't have Bluetooth like the second generation unit, but otherwise works fine. With the newer one, the buttons can be assigned to more actions instead of the 'standard' ones (erasing stuff etc.) and it reports battery state, but I don't think that's a huge problem - it's nice to try the genuine one rather than the 3rd party unit we have been using, good as that was too.

Then there's the NexDock Touch (which can't be bought any longer). The NexDock 360 is still available as well as the forthcoming NexDock XL. Just like with DeX, the keyboard works, the trackpad works and the touchscreen works (unlike Ready4 with which, none of it works)! So that certainly could be another setup to use. Pass-through audio and all. The only caveat is that (unlike DeX and Ready4) the screen aspect ratio is wrong and there are resulting black bars left and right - but I really don't think that's a big deal for anyone but purists!

Anyway, having fun with it all here. I do find one of the most interesting aspects of smartphones these days is how they can be used with other gear - and when they can't, I get bored with them more quickly!

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