Xbox Surface in development at Microsoft, report claims

NewsPublish Date 06/11/2012 - 3:56pm GMT

Microsoft working on secret Xbox tablet, latest rumour suggests.

Microsoft is developing a 7-inch gaming tablet called 'Xbox Surface', a new report has claimed.

According to sources close to The Verge, Xbox Surface will feature a "custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM designed specifically for gaming tasks". The site alleges that the tablet is currently in testing at Microsoft's Silicon Valley offices.

Those are the same offices that Microsoft was reported to have put on security lockdown last month. The Verge speculates that the security boost may be linked to the tablet.

Unlike Microsoft's recently released Surface tablet, the Xbox Surface will reportedly run a "custom Windows kernel" rather than a full version of Windows, presumably to bring it in line with the Xbox 360 user interface.

Rumours of an Xbox Surface first surfaced back in June, just prior to the announcement of the Microsoft Surface.

The leaked document suggested that the 7-inch tablet would feature a 1280x720 display and a "custom IBM engine".

As well as releasing Surface, Microsoft recently launched its SmartGlass app for a variety of tablets. The app lets users use their tablet as a second screen, offering additional information about the movie that they're watching or game they're playing.

Source: The Verge

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FantasyMeister @ Batmamerc

They launched the Surface RT last week or so, I figure that's their shot at the i-Marketplace.

So I figure this particular 'xbox tablet' has to be something different. Something so different they have to hire extra security and lock down sections of the testing facility.

Maybe they've discovered some weird alien technology and it's a holographic projecting surface, or 4D, or something. Or maybe it incorporates a new type of storage so it comes with 4 Terabytes, stores the entire back catalogue. allows you to use the 7" screen as a dash to set up/buy games and allows you to stream games from it directly to your screen - no console required.

That would peak my interest.

Posted 21:59 on 06 November 2012

Batmamerc

I can't see the point in this at all like FantasyMeister says about the controller i would find it hard to go from buttons and grip to no buttons n gentle tapping, touch screen gaming can't work for proper games like Xbox main stream games all there good for is things like angry birds things designed from the ground up to be one finger touch, maybe that is what there going for though starting competition with the iPod/Pad/Phone maybe not bothering with the usual xbox console type games at all on it but that is where there infrastructure lies. I think trying to compete in such an already crowded market has come too late for them to make a dent and they can't rely on its current console fan base as its nothing like what the fans are already fans of.

Posted 21:41 on 06 November 2012

FantasyMeister

Even if it can run full XBox 360 graphics (or better) on a 7" screen, it's still a 7" screen. It would have to actually do something amazing to stand out from all the other tablets/phablets, even handhelds, - not just in terms of specs but in terms of back catalogue - if it's going to ping on my gaming radar.

Its biggest hurdle is going to be trying to wrestle a joypad from my iron grip, I wish them luck with that.

Posted 17:59 on 06 November 2012