Following the, er, rave reviews that greeted its full-size Suface RT tablet, Microsoft is now reportedly leading a 7-inch gaming tablet into its gadget stable.
"Multiple sources familiar with plans" have seemingly confirmed Microsoft's plans to the Verge, which claims a final version of the mythical device is being cooked up as we speak.
The tiny tablet, which would go head-to-head with Nintendo's Wii U, is tipped to run a custom version of Windows rather than the full version of Windows 8. That sounds like a smart move to me, as for a simple gaming tablet, the full head-on Windows experience would seem like overkill.
Specifications for the Xbox Surface have already leaked, in fact. Back in June a spec sheet for the 7-inch 'Xbox Surface' appeared online. It appeared mere days before Microsoft's Surface announcement however, so once Microsoft had lifted the lid on its 10.6-inch own-brand device, we assumed the earlier specifications were a sneaky fake.
That leaked listing suggested a 1,280x720 pixel resolution screen, alongside an SD card slot and four -- count 'em -- USB 3.0 ports.
Microsoft already has its Xbox SmartGlass app (shown above), which gives console-control to all manner of tablet devices. It's also pegged to be building an own-brand Surface smart phone.
Microsoft's Xbox console is probably the most excellent bit of kit in the company's entire portfolio, so it's no surprise that Ballmer and buddies are looking to expand on the recognisable brand. I'm sure a tablet device aimed at gamers and bearing the Xbox logo would be received with some excitement.
Would you buy a 7-inch Xbox gaming tablet? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 8
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shauney3 7 November, 2012 13:11
Just been playing GTA3 on my Nexus 7. Loving it.
anonymous 7 November, 2012 14:13
I have to say, I really don't get why anyone would want to play games on tablets and smartphones. The general quality of games available, is appalling, most are barely even worth downloading. On top of that, touchscreen controls are just useless. They're slow, inaccurate and the very idea of controlling a game with controls that cover the actual game itself, is just plain stupid. And yes the technology packed into these devices may be moving at an incredible pace, but they still aren't good enough to run fully fledged, top tier games, hence why there are none available right now. I'll stick to my full-sized Xbox thanks.
anonymous 7 November, 2012 14:22
You can hook up a Xbox controller to most High end tablet and smart phones, just saying.
anonymous 7 November, 2012 16:46
playstation 3 is mile better - go for a more up-to-date, better graphics and free online play console.
you know you want to.
leoevs44 8 November, 2012 08:22
@amonymous 14:13
These games ain't designed or ment to replace fully blown consoles, their just so you can have a bit of fun on the go, as for graphics and game play you obviously haven't played many of the games on offer, try shadow gun, awesome graphics and gameplay and you only use a small amount of screen corner, I play various games on my galaxy s2 if I having a quite shift in work, amazing time waster, its just a little something to make life a little bit easier...
Victor Discoverer-Harries 8 November, 2012 18:57
I just want a Window's equivalent of the Nexus 7. 7" high quality display, quad core, 32gb memory, 2gb RAM, nice big battery and Metro tiles UI... Just sayin'!
anonymous 12 November, 2012 20:57
As long as I can use Amazon Apps, including Amazon VOD, sign me up.
Thomas Bamford 2 December, 2012 09:28
@anonymous 7 November, 2012 16:46 I find you to be very pathetic that you feel the need to preach on which console is better when this article is about xbox, if your such a ps3 fan then why are you on this article? You must of seen it and clicked on it to make a petty stupid comment which as no relevance to this article. Go away and let the xbox fans enjoy this article without stupid petty fan boy crap produced from people who are die hards of their preferred brands.