Report: Microsoft plans hardware beyond Surface

Microsoft has revealed it will make more hardware products after its Surface tablet.

Speaking to the BBC, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, confirmed that the company has plans to release more hardware beyond its Surface tablet. The news comes as Microsoft launches Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.
"Is it fair to say we're going to do more hardware? Obviously we are... Where we see important opportunities to set a new standard, yeah we'll dive in." said Ballmer.

The chief exec didn't divulge any details of what we can expect from the predominantly software company. However, rumours suggest that Microsoft will go for a Surface smartphone to compete with the iPhone and Android handsets.

It's also highly likely that Microsoft will work on a follow-up to the Surface to content with Apple's latest tablets - the fourth generation iPad with Retina display and iPad mini.

Ballmer described the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 as an 'epic thing' for the company, putting it up there in the top two or three 'big moments' alongside Windows 95 and the IBM PC.