14 DAY TRIAL // The second-generation Surface tablet has already been unveiled, with shipments to start on October 22, but the company is said to be preparing something special for the end of the year.
Sources close to the matter have hinted that Redmond is developing an 8-inch unit specifically designed to create against the iPad mini and the Nexus 7, but the company is keeping everything secret for the time being.
Panos Panay, the man in charge with the Surface project, refused to comment on such a project, which could be an indication that a smaller tablet might indeed be under development.
Previous reports pointed out that Microsoft is considering a Qualcomm processor for the new Surface Mini, as well as the new Windows RT 8.1 which has been specifically optimized for smaller screens. The new OS can now be used in both portrait and landscape mode, making it easier to access specific features on an 8-inch screen.