Rumor: Microsoft Working on Surface Phone Too

By Kevin Parrish
published

A Microsoft Surface smartphone may be in the works as well, hitting store shelves in the first half of 2013.

It only seems logical that Microsoft would consider launching its own Windows Phone 8 smartphone given that the company is jumping into the tablet sector feet first with its own Windows 8-powered Surface. Like the desktop/tablet OS launching later this month (yep it's October already), the next-generation mobile OS is a big step, one that likely needs to be taken correctly so that the entire multi-platform vision – one of Microsoft’s biggest selling points – won't collapse.

The latest news circulating in the Microsoft rumor mill is that the Redmond company plans to release its own Windows Phone 8, Surface-labeled smartphone in the coming months. The manufacturer behind the supposed device shouldn't be much of a surprise – Nokia – but there's also indication that Samsung may be a possible candidate as well. Both are currently high-profile Windows Phone 8 partners.

An unnamed source told BGR that like the Surface tablets, Microsoft has been quietly working on the Surface smartphone for a while. It will reportedly compete directly with high-end smartphones like Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S III, as well as Windows Phone 8 smartphones released by its partners. The handset is currently in the late stages of development, the sources said.

A report published by China Times backs up the rumors regarding the phone's "Surface" branding, and even states that the device will hit the market in the first half of 2013. An additional unnamed source agreed, reporting that Microsoft has no plans to release its own Surface smartphone during the first round of Windows Phone 8 device launches.

Releasing a Surface phone in the first half of 2013 would make sense, even more so next June. Microsoft is expected to launch the next Xbox during E3 2013 next summer, the final piece in Microsoft's Windows 8 multi-screen puzzle. It wouldn't be surprising to see Microsoft implement Surface-specific connectivity features into the next-generation console to help drive huge sales on all four Windows 8-based screens (desktop, tablet, smartphone, console) by the end 2013.

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17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • freggo
    If only the square buttons where not that ugly.
    How about rounding the edges to make it visually more appealing ?
    Oh yes, can't do that without paying royalties to Apple :-)

    Reply
  • L0tus
    I guess its the natural step for MS. I for one am disappointed however to see the smart phone market get "oligopolized" ...taken over by few but large corporations. It was perhaps better when we had numerous smaller companies spraying us with endless choices.

    And wouldn't it be nice if phones were like PCs? So I can get whatever hardware I want and install whatever software I like. That will never happen with Samsung/Apple at the helm (especially the latter). Perhaps MS will surprise us and give us a truly open experience.
    Reply
  • Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer
    freggoIf only the square buttons where not that ugly.lolwut?

    Trolling aside, though, it had damn well better be Nokia they're partnering with after all the support Nokia has shown them. Just saying.
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    Still looking forward to a Nokia 920 for my first smart phone. Can't wait to read a few reviews!

    I find it strange that I was stoked about the idea of MS coming out with their own tablets, and yet I feel a lot more hesitant about them being capable of making a decent phone. I wonder why that is?
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomerlolwut?Trolling aside, though, it had damn well better be Nokia they're partnering with after all the support Nokia has shown them. Just saying.Is it really considered support when all of the upper management use to work for MS?
    Reply
  • bystander
    My first reaction is that MS is insuring that they stay in the mobile phone market if Nokia stops supporting Win8. Nokia's CEO is on the hot seat atm, and he is the one who is pushing Win8 phones. If he is replaced, MS will need to take matters into their own hands.
    Reply
  • amdwilliam1985
    Played with Nokia 900 a little bit last week, I was almost convinced to switch over to wp8 from Android, the only missing piece(one of the most important piece to me) is the drag down notification.
    Android has perfected the drag down notification system, that it's the single most used feature on my phone. WP8 needs to have it before I can be converted.
    Reply
  • titan078
    amdwilliam1985Played with Nokia 900 a little bit last week, I was almost convinced to switch over to wp8 from Android, the only missing piece(one of the most important piece to me) is the drag down notification.Android has perfected the drag down notification system, that it's the single most used feature on my phone. WP8 needs to have it before I can be converted.
    Nope webOS perfected notifications. Not sure why Andriod has not included all of webOS's design cues yet. Probably integrity on Matis's part.
    Reply
  • titan078
    CaedenVStill looking forward to a Nokia 920 for my first smart phone. Can't wait to read a few reviews!I find it strange that I was stoked about the idea of MS coming out with their own tablets, and yet I feel a lot more hesitant about them being capable of making a decent phone. I wonder why that is?
    MS does write Nokia a big check every now and then for that support. Two way street.
    Reply
  • marcolorenzo
    "Microsoft is expected to launch the next Xbox during E3 2013 next summer, the final piece in Microsoft's Windows 8 multi-screen puzzle. It wouldn't be surprising to see Microsoft implement Surface-specific connectivity features into the next-generation console to help drive huge sales on all four Windows 8-based screens (desktop, tablet, smartphone, console) by the end 2013."

    i dont know about you guys but when i read this, the four words that came to mind were: "The Empire Strikes Back"...
    Reply