The software giant is developing a new lineup of its Surface tablets, including a 7-inch version expected to go into mass production later this year, said people familiar with the company’s plans.
So the company can fail in two form factors. Awesome!
On the plus side, they’ll take up a lot less space sitting unsold in inventory.
It’s sad. I’d much rather see Google fail than Microsoft. I hope they can turn it around once Balmer leaves.
Will the size be geared towards a first party offering such as: Surface RT with SmartGlass or some such creature. Makes sense given the size.
Given that their only somewhat reasonable selling point for the RT line is (a castrated and un-touchable) version of Office… this makes no sense whatsoever. A 7″ tablet with almost mandatory keyboard and trackpad is an even bigger failure in a smaller form factor.
They should (if they really want to do anything) release a 7″ tablet running WP8. At least there are some apps for it, it has a few fans in some countries, and it does not consume the entire SSD for legacy OS junk that is not needed on a tablet, and it is touch-friendly.
But as long as Bullmer and his “Windows must be everywhere” mantra is at the helmet, iOS and Android are more than safe.
Because Windows nerds need a smaller form-factor to get “real work” done?
Take your time, Microsoft. No rush.
How is someone supposed to get “real work” done on a 7″ screen? It almost now seems like the 7″ screen version would require the user to have a desktop monitory to plug into.
But the kiddies will instantly gain some mad dance skills
Following the Windows RT device, this one will give a new meaning to “mass production”…