Microsoft Surface Phone is coming ?

As the release of the Microsoft Surface (with Windows RT) tablets draw closer, a new report suggests that Microsoft maybe working on a “Surface” branded Windows Phone which may find itself in the market very soon.

It was just a couple of months ago we first reported rumors of a Microsoft built Windows Phone. In fact Microsoft would dispel these rumors and firmly state that they were not interested in getting into the smartphone business. But is this about to change?

Sources from supply chains are suggesting that Microsoft has been working on a Surface Phone for the last four months and that they expect to launch the device sometime in the first half of next year.

This would greatly affect Nokia, who has put all their resources into backing Microsoft’s platform. Microsoft has not been very supportive toward Nokia as you would expect from their partnership. Samsung was the first to announce a Windows Phone 8 device with their Samsung ATIV S. Then Microsoft would spend over a year closely working with HTC developers on the signature Windows Phone experience of the HTC 8X and the HTC 8S which look strangely similar in design to the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Nokia Lumia 820.

So while Microsoft has been working closely with several manufactures to release Windows Phones, why would they be building their own?

New rumors have surfaced suggesting that Microsoft is much further along in developing their own smartphone, indicating that a Microsoft Surface Phone may become available in the coming months. The phone is said to be designed to compete directly with high end handsets like the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III.

How accurate are these rumors? Microsoft’s choice to build their own Tablet didn’t go well with manufactures who felt their own sales would be threatened. However Microsoft stated that the need of a Windows tablet was to build a guideline on which manufactures could model their own tablet hardware.

This wont be the same case with Windows Phones, which is a new market unlike Windows. While potential users wouldn’t be sure which brand to choose from Microsoft could win over any potential new comers with a flagship device.

The expectation is that Microsoft would have their device ready in time for the holidays and wait and see how Nokia, HTC and Samsung fair in the Windows Phone sales. If they release their own device following the successful launch of their partners they probably wouldn’t risk any fallouts.

Finally we have to wonder about the hardware. Would Microsoft follow Google’s approach with their Nexus Series? or release a device which would best their partners’ offerings? We like the option of a Nexus like Windows Phone, without the added bloat ware. If such a device is offered with high end specs it should not be offered at subsidized priced through carriers. It should remain as a ‘Signature’ Microsoft device, sold unlocked and made available to developers and fans as a benchmark of what Windows Phone could offer.

While the rumor mills continue to churn, stay tuned for further updates on a potential Microsoft Surface Phone in the months ahead.

 

source – BGR | CT