The Microsoft Surface Mini tablet is an enigma. The tablet has been rumored to be in the works, and then cancelled, and according to the most recent rumor is apparently back on track for production again and could see a potential release over the summer. Now if you were excited at the possibility of a Surface Mini, you might not want to get your hopes up just yet.
Well-connected Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet has recently contradicted the rumor by @evleaks, claiming that according to her sources, the Surface Mini will not be debuting this summer. Her sources have also confirmed to her that while Microsoft has not completely shelved their plans for a 7- or 8-inch Surface tablet, chances are the Surface Mini will not be debuting anytime soon, and that if and when it does, 2015 would be the earliest.
Foley reasons that this is because touch-first “Gemini” apps for Windows 8.x have yet to populate the Windows Store. Because of this, creating a smaller Surface tablet would not really be that compelling, nor would it differentiate it that much from other tablets and give customers a reason to purchase the device.
For example a recent rumor has suggested that Office for Android tablets is in the works and could possibly be released ahead of the Windows version, so it does make sense that Microsoft would want to gather more apps for the Surface Mini, otherwise what’s really stopping customers from purchasing tablets like the iPad or an Android tablet if they have similar apps, if not more?
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