Microsoft is apparently working on a Surface Phone. AGAIN. But this time we might actually see it
MWC 2018 will begin towards the end of this month, and many are eagerly watching to see whether the now mythical Surface Phone will make an appearance. We know there'll be plenty of other distractions, not least Samsung's Galaxy S9 launch, but it's still an ideal opportunity for major tech firms to at least tease what's in development, and a great platform for actual launches too. But even if it doesn't appear, at MWC, all hope is not lost. Most phone makers have independent launches these days anyway.
Ever since Steve Ballmer left, Microsoft has sort of undergone something of a rejuvenation. It’s back to making cool, interesting stuff again. And this is great for the company and even better for consumers.
Microsoft is no stranger to the phone space. It’s released more phone initiatives than most care to remember but now things are slightly different, as it has completely sorted out its Windows 10 platform.
And this means a phone would now be a good idea. Even more so if Microsoft can get its enterprise partners to adopt it. Though this is no mean feat, as most firms now operate on a BYOD system and have done for numerous years.
Still, a well put together, innovative smartphone direct from Microsoft, complete with all of its services, would almost certainly gain a lot of interest from floating voters. Especially those in the enterprise space.
Most people have now forgotten about Windows Mobile and Windows RT and are now instead focussed on things like HoloLens and Xbox One X, as well as the company’s awesome Surface computers.
Viewed in this context, the only thing really missing from Microsoft’s lineup of hardware IS a phone. And now that Windows 10 is sorted, there’s never been a better time for a Microsoft Surface Phone.
All the pieces are set, we just need something to drop a few jaws. Plus, Microsoft can afford to take the hit on a new product for the first couple of years, as it builds momentum.
The Surface Phone 100% exists inside Microsoft HQ. You can bet your ass on that. It’s just now a case of whether or not the company will actually ever get around to releasing it…
"Many still hold on to the belief that the Redmond giant has a foldable Surface phone in the works," notes Windows Central, "and with MWC 2018 just around the corner, there's still hope. That said, we've yet to see anything aside from speculation, dreams, and concepts. Microsoft has not announced any plans to continue working on the mobile front — quite the opposite, to be honest — but some still hold out hope that the time of Windows on phone will come again."
Evidence for the phone was recently uncovered inside code for Microsoft’s Whiteboard App. Beyond this, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said, if Microsoft did make a phone, it would be the ultimate mobile device, indicating the company would take the line of GO BIG OR GO HOME when developing a Surface Phone.
The leaked image that rocked up online recently shows a foldable device that runs Windows 10. Now, we know foldable devices will be a thing in 2018/19, but could it be Microsoft that leads the charge? Wouldn’t that be a turn up for the books!
I’ve seen some places reporting about a potential launch in June. The rumours suggest the Surface Phone will pack in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 CPU and around 6GB of RAM. They also say this phone will be foldable, indicating the leaked images are based on reality.
To be honest, after Microsoft’s improvements with its Surface line of computers, I’m kinda dying to see them take on the mobile concept again. I just think there is room for something completely different right now, as iOS and Android essentially merge into becoming the same thing.
And Microsoft is probably the only company with the knowhow to pull something like this off.
Whatever Microsoft decides to do with its Surface Phone, one thing is abundantly clear: it can’t just be another me-too phone. In order to succeed it will need to do something different, something a little unique.
Fortunately, for Microsoft, it is kind of in exactly the right place to pull something like this off. It has the talent, the resources, and the platform (Windows 10) to make it happen. Granted, it would be a massive risk, but we know from the past the company is not adverse to that when it comes to phones.
As of right now, I am pleasantly excited about the prospect of Microsoft attempting to rip up the playbook for the mobile space and do something a little risky and a little different.
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