The company might actually launch it later this year

Feb 13, 2014 21:11 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has reportedly prepared a smaller Surface tablet to compete with the likes of iPad mini and Nexus 7, but the company is yet to unveil details on such a project.

What's more, even though some people familiar with the matter hinted that such a device could see daylight in early 2014, the company remains absolutely tight-lipped and refuses to comment on a possible expansion of the Surface family that could include an 8-inch device.

Surprisingly, Microsoft itself announced in October that an LTE SKU of the Surface 2 could launch in early 2014, but with the imminent launch of Windows 8.1 Update 1 all eyes are now on the upcoming refresh of the Windows platform.

And still, some Surface news could come soon, as Digitimes is reporting that Microsoft is set to unveil some devices with display sizes below 8.5 inches at the Computex Taipei 2014 in June.

While no details on these devices are available at this point, the same source adds that Redmond is actually focusing on units that would rely on "an integrated OS derived for Windows RT and Windows Phone," which hints at a possible merger of the two platforms.

Citing sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, Digitimes is reporting that the software giant is trying to tackle two different worlds, namely the smartphone and tablet markets, with the devices it will launch in June.

The so-called Surface Mini was rumored to be equipped with an 8-inch screen and run Windows RT 8.1, Microsoft's tablet-oriented operating system that's also available on the Surface 2.

Details on the Surface Mini are still scarce right now, but in case the project is under development right now, expect the company to break the news on its new tablet at the BUILD 2014 developer conference in April when it also shares information on several other big projects.