Microsoft is known as a software house, but that’s not to say they haven’t entered into the hardware market. For years they have successfully sold their own branded keyboards and mice, and successfully entered the console market with the Xbox. And with the most high profile hardware launch to date for them tomorrow, the Surface line of tablet PCs, speculation has been rife that Microsoft would produce more of their own branded hardware.
Well in an interview with the BBC, Microsoft’s commander and chief, Steve Ballmer, has confirmed that they will in fact produce more hardware under the Surface moniker.
Is it fair to say we're going to do more hardware? Obviously we are. We did our first piece of non-Xbox hardware when we launch the Surface. Where we see important opportunities to set a new standard, yeah we'll dive in.
We all know where this story is going; “Surface Phone”. The internet is awash with recent rumours Microsoft will produce their own smartphone handset(s) and bring them under the Surface umbrella brand. Although Ballmer didn’t mention any specifics, he did hint at where he will take Microsoft.
We have committed ourselves on a path where we will do whatever is required from both a hardware and a software perspective -- and the cloud innovation perspective -- in order to propel the kind of vision that [Microsoft] has.
Microsoft and Nokia are enjoying a healthy partnership, but this could rock the boat a little, although Nokia would apparently welcome a Surface Phone. Microsoft could use Nokia to manufacture the hardware! PC OEMs, like Acer, have voiced their concern around the Surface tablets and the competition it introduces. Although Dell have been less concerned, jumping back into the tablet market again in the run up to Windows 8’s release. Even Lenovo are undaunted, stating that they would make “better hardware.”
Let even more speculation commence!
Source: cnet | Image courtesy of the BBC
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