Microsoft rumored to be announcing a new Surface in June

Dave LeClair

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A seven-inch version of Microsoft's Surface tablet, as well as some tweaks to the other sizes, could be announced by the company in June, according to a report from DigiTimes. Microsoft is holding its Build developer conference at the end of the month, so that would seem to be the most logical time and venue for the company to present the latest iterations of its tablets.

The report also indicates that Microsoft is taking a less aggressive stance in terms of the quantity of tablets built. Because the company only sold 1.5 million first-generation tablets, it makes sense that they'll want to start with that many second generation models to see how they sell. DigiTimes' supply chain source claims Microsoft has ordered components for 1-1.5 million units of the new tablets.

According to the latest rumors, second generation Surface tablets will feature seven through nine inch models, as those seem to be the most popular sizes for tablets. The previous generation was focused on larger 10.6-inch devices, which could have been a contributing factor to it not meeting the sales goals of Microsoft.

An announcement in June would come just about a year since the first generation Surface devices were unveiled. In addition to the new tablets, Microsoft is expected to focus on Windows 8.1 and the steps it has taken to adapt the operating system to smaller screens.

The company is also expected to reveal the next generation Xbox on May 21, so pairing that with a new tablet lineup right after would generate a great deal of hype and attention for Microsoft.

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The Surface is supposed to be a tablet that is equally as good at content creation as consumption. But a 7inch tablet would make for a very small attached keyboard and it's definitely more into 'e-reader' size and good for only consumption. That means they going to be closely compared to the iPad mini, Samsung's Note 8.0 and the cheaper Kindle/Nook/Nexus 7 tablets.

Good luck MS, you're jumping into a pretty saturated market. I hope they have something to separate themselves from the crowd...Besides colorful tiles that is.
 
Since initially, Microsoft gave the final versions of Windows 8 and Office 2013, (RTM versions) it is logical that the entire world of software the condition of Microsoft regarding its lack and need for creativity, because they gave to Manufacturers an incomplete sets of Final versions to eventually provide a better presentation for the ugliness of their icons and surfaces (in other word, they made ugly the software in purpose) ... Microsoft are not aware at this point that they buried themselves in the **** when they decided to hide Windows Concept version for a future release ==> http://youtu.be/G0r6tINInrw , it seems that they have not people that inform them how youth and students recommend and prefers to purchasing apple equipment's.
 
The keyboard on the Surface right now is so small I can barely use it and they want to make it smaller. I only use the keyboard if I absolutely have to because it is such a pain.
 
So, after all, there is one more product niche where Microsoft hasn't failed yet, but they will take care of that in a hurry, won't they?
 
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