Ballmer Says That Microsoft is 'Obviously' Going to Make More Hardware

Microsoft continues to circle around an announcement with regards to its possible Surface Windows Phone 8 smartphone, with the latest comments from CEO Steve Ballmer indicating that the company plans on releasing more of its own devices.

"Is it fair to say we're going to do more hardware? Obviously we are." Ballmer said during an interview with the BBC. "Where we see important opportunities to set a new standard, yeah we'll dive in."

This is only the latest in a series of rumors and comments hinting at the possibility of a Surface smartphone, including an "inside source" claiming earlier this month that one is in the works, which was later corroborated by the China Times.

Despite the uncomfortable implications for other OEMs -- namely, the possibility of having to compete directly with their software provider -- some don't seem too concerned. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop recently went on record saying that he welcomed the potential competition of a Surface smartphone, saying, "It's certainly a stimulant to the ecosystem."

No specific details on this device have leaked out yet, which is allegedly going to be introduced in the first half of 2013.

Source: BBC