Microsoft Surface Phone is Alive and Could be Coming Soon!
Microsoft has made public a patent for new devices called “Surface Phones” which will “not look like phones that are there today.”
So far, the Surface Phone has proved to be the unicorn of the mobile world. It is as elusive as the mythical beast of the folklore with only whispers and ‘reported sightings’. But, Microsoft today has made public a patent for new devices called “Surface Phones” which will “not look like phones that are there today.”
The Redmond giant has chosen to go public with the patent even after posting a two percent decrease in Surface devices. Earlier this year, Satya Nadella was quoted saying,
“We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by today’s market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device.”
The patent in question is titled ‘Wireless Communication Device’ and talks about a bendable smartphone with an antenna, battery, SIM card holders and screen connectors split over a hinge to create a dual-winged device. How many of these features make it to the actual phones, remains to be seen.
What this means for consumers
Microsoft has already pulled the plug on Windows 8.1 phones. We feel that this is a golden opportunity for Microsoft to start with a clean slate, to define their mobile devices, without any distractions from their past efforts.
Windows Mobile was not killed off by competition but by the traditional and rigid culture prevalent in Microsoft and their view of mobile devices. But now that seems to be changing as newer ideas and innovations are being pushed through, and are actually reaching consumers.
Continuum is the perfect example of this. Imagine carrying the power of a full-size PC in a phone that can fit in a pocket. Windows phones were a tough sell everywhere. Mainly because of Microsoft being too late to the smartphone party. They failed to grasp the importance of having a robust eco-system of apps to support their mobile platform.
The Surface Phone might change all that; should change that. It can provide the mobile platform with an unbeatable ecosystem of desktop-grade applications.
Surface Phone in India:
Here in India, Microsoft’s Windows is still the OS of choice. Microsoft should leverage this by making India one of the first markets to receive the Surface Phone. Indian consumers will definitely invest in a mobile device which can make calls and turn into a full-blown computer whenever needed.
To most of the people, such a device still feels like science fiction. But it is a fascinating fact that such devices do exist. If Microsoft prices the Surface Phone right, it has the potential to be the new PC revolution. Let us now wait for the Surface Phone to drop into reality. Anyone at Microsoft listening?
