• POLITICS
  • SCIENCE
    • Astronomy
    • Physics
    • Biology
    • Geology
    • Environment
    • Medicine and Health
    • Sociology
    • Psychology
  • MOVIES & TV SHOWS
  • TECHNOLOGY
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Virtual Reality
    • Bionics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Engineering
    • Robotics
    • Space Exploration
    • Transport
    • Industry and Service
  • GADGETS
    • Mobile Devices
    • Wearables
    • Consoles
    • Hi-Tech
  • GEEK CULTURE
    • Gaming
    • Comics
    • Thingamajigs
  • MUSIC
  • SOFTWARE
    • APPS
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Windows
  • HARDWARE
  • CARS
  • REVIEWS
  • Advertise
  • Geek Reply Jobs
  • Contact Us
Geek Reply
  • HOME
  • Editorials
  • Geek Squad
  • GeekReply Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Google+

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Mobile Devices

Microsoft tablet surfaces as supposedly discarded project, hints at new Surface Mini variant

Microsoft tablet surfaces as supposedly discarded project, hints at new Surface Mini variant
John Cusack
November 30, 2015

With Windows 10, Microsoft wanted to demonstrate how a single software and its universal apps can function across all types of hardware, from mobile to desktop. With these ideals in mind, the Redmond giant went ahead and unveiled the Surface Book, Surface Pro 4 and Microsoft Lumia 950 line-ups. What was missing from the 2015 Microsoft product list is a compact tablet to rival with budget-friendly options like the Amazon Fire HD, Nexus 7 and others. Although the tablet market hasn’t been in the best shape in the past couple of years, there is still a well-defined audience for in-between displays that Microsoft planned to take advantage of. Leaked information revealed this weekend that a Microsoft tablet had been in development at one point in 2015, but it hasn’t advanced to the consumer-friendly testing phase as of yet.

The Microsoft Mercury tablet, as it has been dubbed during development process, was meant to be accompanying the Surface Book and Pro 4 launch as the most affordable productivity device from Microsoft. However, the project seems to have been shelved for the time being and as everyone noticed during this Fall’s launch event, it wasn’t unveiled or spoken about. Despite the Microsoft Mercury tablet not being a consumer product or an official one, in fact, it is an interesting device that might still see the light of day early in 2016.

Although the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 are excellent productivity devices that have impressed fans and the enterprise segment as well, the Redmond giant has an undeniable gap in its product line-up when it comes to affordable productivity devices. Opting for an older model of the Surface is the only choice right now if you want a Microsoft ecosystem on a budget, but this might change come 2016. The Microsoft Mercury tablet still has a shot at being released for consumer, especially since demand for more affordable, yet powerful tablets, has been increasing. Apple still commands tablet sales with the iPad and iPad Pro, but in the Windows segment, there’s little to choose from – unless you go for Chinese brands like Cubot.

From the Lumia graveyard: Microsoft/Nokia Mercury. pic.twitter.com/FB24IfKcCz

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) November 30, 2015

Earlier this year, there were rumors surrounding the Microsoft Surface family, insiders claiming the company was working on a Surface Mini at one point. Those rumors died down after news of a compact Microsoft tablet being canceled surfaced. We can’t help but wonder if the rumored Surface Mini and the leaked Microsoft Mercury tablet are the same, as all signs points towards a connection between the two. Although both are currently being referred to as canceled, take that with a grain of salt. The company doesn’t deny or confirm information about a compact tablet in development, so at this point anything is possible.

I think that a compact tablet like the Microsoft Mercury would respond to an existing demand in the Windows ecosystem for an affordable device that’s not a smartphone. Since the leaked images provided by reputable @evleaks showcase a polycarbonate device with a footprint that suggests an 8-inch display, there is a chance that the company is still working on this device in their labs and we might see Microsoft targeting the affordable productivity tablet market early next year.

Judging from the leaked Microsoft Mercury images, the tablet seems to feature a dual camera setup, a Lumia-like design, colorful back panels and frames as well as a set of stereo speakers. The front camera might be in connection with the Windows Hello biometric security features, which fuels our belief that while the Microsoft Mercury is currently not a real product, it might soon become one. Launching another product this late in the year is a very unlikely road for Microsoft to take, but come 2016, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about how the company plans to tackle a market segment that has been demanding support for a long time.

Post Views: 17
W3Schools
Related ItemsMicrosoftMicrosoft MercurySurface MiniWindows 10
Mobile Devices
November 30, 2015
John Cusack

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Related ItemsMicrosoftMicrosoft MercurySurface MiniWindows 10

More in Mobile Devices

iPhone 14 – 10 LEAKED Features!

Matt DavisJanuary 20, 2022
Read More
Apple foldable phone

Rumor: Apple Watch & iPad Out In September, iPhone 12 Event Pushed To October

Grace AniladoAugust 13, 2020
Read More

4G-Only iPhone 12 May Release In 2021

John CusackAugust 11, 2020
Read More
Samsung Galaxy 3

Big Leak Reveals Galaxy Note 20 Series, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Tab S7 And More

Mike GuarinoAugust 5, 2020
Read More
iPad Pro 2020 durability

Apple’s 2020 iPad Pro Still Breaks Easily, Latest Durability Test Reveals

Matt DavisAugust 4, 2020
Read More
Apple Watch Series 6 blood oxygen

Apple Watch Series 6 Will Have Blood Oxygen Monitoring

Mike GuarinoJuly 31, 2020
Read More
iPad

iPhone 12 And New iPads Out In October, Leak Claims

Matt DavisJuly 30, 2020
Read More
iPhone 12 delay

Rumor: Apple’s iPhone 12 Lineup Coming Late October Due To Coronavirus

Mike GuarinoJuly 23, 2020
Read More
Apple Car Key out now

Apple Releases iOS/iPadOS 13.6 With Car Key, Full Patch Notes

Matt DavisJuly 15, 2020
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Game Deals

EwinRacing Champion Series Gaming Chairs
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • The Future of Work and How Gaming Can Impact Your Productivity
    GamingMarch 9, 2022
  • Geek Chic: Key Fashion Pieces for Gamer Girls
    Opinion PiecesMarch 8, 2022
  • FIND BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR FOOTBALL
    Opinion PiecesMarch 7, 2022
  • Choosing the Right Provider for Cloud Migration
    Opinion PiecesMarch 24, 2022
  • iPhone 14 – 10 LEAKED Features!
    GadgetsJanuary 20, 2022
  • Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac
    Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac- It can surely save the day
    ReviewsSeptember 26, 2019
  • Fun Video Game Titles for the Entire Family
    Opinion PiecesMarch 31, 2022
  • Three Major Steps To Follow To Obtain CompTIA Security+ Certification
    Opinion PiecesMarch 30, 2022
  • Keep yourself safe: While playing online
    Opinion PiecesMarch 24, 2022
  • Choosing the Right Provider for Cloud Migration
    Opinion PiecesMarch 24, 2022
  • Just 10% Of iPhone X Users Want Apple To Remove The Notch, Survey Says – My WordPress Website says:

    […] There are lots of requests that Apple users are…

  • The 9 most plausible rumors in regards to the new iPhones – Mark Swarrts says:

    […] Just 10% Of iPhone X Users Want Apple To…

  • Onimusha: Warlords HD PS4/Xbox One Box Art Revealed - GameSinners says:

    […] mean for the series, as its success could result…

  • 5 Essential Tips to Setup a Web Hosting Business | Your Own Website says:

    […] Source link […]

Geek Reply

Greetings techies! We are Geek Reply, a website whose main goal is to bring you all the latest news and updates from within the industry and beyond. What can you expect to find here?

Professional journalism coupled with expository writing for the most part, but we also give our honest opinion or throw in a pinch of humor for good measure when we deem it necessary. Our team is comprised of enthusiasts from across a wide variety of fields ranging from smartphone junkies to camera nerds, and everything in between. But perhaps you were looking for your daily dose of science news or hoping to read about the latest apps. If that’s the case, don’t worry, you came to the right place.

GeekReply Secured with GeekReply Scured
Nintendo Switch GeekReply

Copyright © 2020 GeekReply - Webdesign & Marketing - iPublicitate

You might choose Exynos over Qualcomm in the Galaxy S7
15-inch MacBook Air to replace 11-inch model at WWDC 2016