More than a rumor but less than a fact at this point, an Xbox branded 7″ Surface just might be on the way to retail sooner than later.
According to the website The Verge, several of their sources within the company have confirmed that initial hardware planning is happening right now for a device that would bring Xbox and tablet together. Other than that ‘confirmation’, The Verge says that the device may have some limited ‘Windows’ functionality but that the focus will most definitely be squarely on gaming and anything related to that.
Something to keep in mind- it’s been rumored for a while now that a new Xbox console is in development and that the target launch would be next Fall (2013). The Verge is saying that the Xbox Surface would likely see release ahead of that console and if the timelines are in any way accurate, then we just might be seeing an announcement of some kind relatively soon. Maybe even before the Holidays.
It’s pure conjecture, but if Microsoft were to announce an Xbox tablet pre-Holiday, it might even cause some to abandon plans to ask for an iPad/iPad mini to be under the tree or in the stocking. I have to believe that a pure (or at least, as close as you can get) Xbox gaming tablet would hold a great deal of interest to gamers looking for some mobile play.
Honestly, I have an iPad and I’d probably get an Xbox tablet just for the games (providing the quality is there). I think they’d be able to co-exist quite nicely in daily use in much the same way that my 3DS and Vita do with my tablet.
Source: The Verge
