When asked about the prospect of a surface phone, former Microsoft Canada executive Stephen Elop -- now the CEO of Nokia Oyj. (HEX:NOK1V) -- offered praise for the idea. He commented, "[It would be] a stimulant to the ecosystem."Source: DailyTech
It's possible Microsoft could partner with a third party to produce its vision in the form of Microsoft-branded hardware; if so Nokia would likely be a leading candidate. That's the approach Google Inc. (GOOG) -- like Microsoft, a software company at its roots -- used to promote Android tablets/smartphones, via its Google-branded "Nexus" devices.
But it's possible that Microsoft will simply design the devices on its own. As it has shown with the Surface tablet and the Xbox/Xbox 360, Microsoft has evolved into a company thoroughly capable of producing its own intriguing third party hardware.
Ballmer: Microsoft to set new standard with first-party hardware
Posted on Friday, October 26 2012 @ 13:12 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck