Microsoft – Hopes Surface

The Surface-mini needs to be on WP8.1 not RT.

• Microsoft is holding an event on May 20^th where it is expected that the latest additions to the Surface line of products will be launched.
• A Surface-mini is expected to headline the event being a 7-8” tablet with a Qualcomm processor, presumably at a very low price.
• Currently this is expected to be a device much like the Lumia 2520 which has a Qualcomm processor and runs Windows RT.
• The problem with Windows RT is that it is end of life.
• Both consumers and PC makers have voted with their feet when it comes to this platform leaving Microsoft as the only manufacturer and volumes a mere rounding error.
• Windows RT is underpowered, limited in functionality (see here) but it does offer good battery life when compared to a laptop.
• Unfortunately, this has not been enough and Microsoft has all but confirmed that there will not be three operating systems. (see here)
• This means that full-fat Windows will meet Windows Phone at some point which is probably somewhere around a screen size of 7”.
• This is why I am hopeful that a Surface-mini will not be running Windows RT but Windows Phone.
• Nokia has already almost built this product with its launch of the 6.0” Lumia 1520 and making the screen 1” bigger would be a reasonably trivial undertaking.
• Launching the Surface-mini on WP8.1 would also provide a huge boost to my hopes that different parts of Microsoft can begin working together for the good of the whole.
• The Surface program is part of the old Microsoft and a Surface on WP8.1 would be the kind of co-operation that essential for Microsoft to turn itself around.
• However, change does not come quickly, and I am ready to be disappointed in May 20^th.
• There is also likely to be an update to the Surface-pro which would be welcome given that the current version is fat, clunky and ugly when compared to devices produced by Samsung and Sony.
• There may also be more Lumia launches as this would be in ideal setting to 1) launch new phones and 2) continue pushing the ecosystem on every form-factor story.
• Microsoft’s new leadership seems to be leaning towards remaking Microsoft as an ecosystem company and this would be a great opportunity to put some product behind the rhetoric.
• Microsoft remains one of my top choices for investing in the ecosystem space along with Yahoo! and Google.