If Surface Phone looks anything like THIS, Microsoft has a sure-fire hit on its hands

Thu, May 4, 2017 MICROSOFT is believed to be secretly developing a next-generation smartphone – Surface Phone – to launch later this year.

CASMIR VALERI • BEHANCE

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CEO Satya Nadella says Microsoft is working on the "ultimate mobile device"

Microsoft is purportedly developing a next-generation smartphone, dubbed Surface Phone.

Rumours of the flagship phone have circulated online for years, with the project now believed to be under the supervision of Surface Vice President Panos Panay.

Industry sources claim Intel is heavily involved in the smartphone project.

The hugely successful chipmaker could help the Surface smartphone realise its plans to bridge the gap between a smartphone and a productive mobile device.

Microsoft has never formally acknowledged the existence of a Surface Phone, although it has made several hints.

CEO Satya Nadella revealed in an interview last year that Microsoft's next attempt at developing a smartphone would be the "ultimate mobile device".

CASMIR VALERI • BEHANCE

The latest Surface Phone concept imagines some impressive integration with Windows desktops

Designer Casmir Valeri has taken this idea – and run with it.

The designer has created a swathe of new concept images around the long-rumoured Surface Phone. And it looks absolutely awesome.

The digital renderings focus heavily on productivity, with the Surface Phone able to function as a multi-touch trackpad for a nearby Windows 10 desktop or laptop.

Valeri has also created a cover for the Surface Phone that doubles battery life and includes an additional USB-C port, similar to the Kindle Oasis.

"Powered by Continuum, Surface Phone is able to transition to a full-fledged desktop PC when equipped with a monitor and keyboard, keeping your files and programs onto one single device," Valeri theorises.

It's certainly an interesting idea – and leverages a number of the strengths of the unified Windows 10 operating system.

Microsoft holds its annual developer conference, Microsoft Build, next week.

Mon, May 1, 2017 Microsoft has unveiled the latest addition to its ever-growing Surface product range – the Surface Laptop. This lightweight ChromeBook competitor ships with an impressive 14.5 hour battery life, free subscription to Office 365 and a touchscreen 13.5-inch LCD display.

MICROSOFT

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With any luck, the Redmond-based technology firm will offer some hints into its plans for the mobile market during its keynote.

Microsoft is already expected to unveil the long-rumoured Windows 10 user interface redesign during its Build conference.

The company has already scheduled a number of keynote presentations about the changes coming to Windows 10's user interface.

Renown Microsoft pundit Tom Warren spotted the developer sessions in the Build timetable.

"Microsoft is going to tease the future of the Windows UI next week at Build," he tweeted.

One of the Microsoft Build sessions, entitled What's New in the Microsoft Design Language, does not reveal what will feature in the session, teasing instead that the contents will only be "announced after the Keynote on May 11".

That seems like a pretty strong hint Microsoft will take the wraps off its new design during the main Keynote presentation.

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Source: If Surface Phone looks anything like THIS, Microsoft has a sure-fire hit on its hands