Microsoft – Hopes Surface

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The Surface-mini needs to be on WP8.1 not RT.

  • Microsoft is holding an event on May 20th where it is expected that the latest additions to the Surface line of products will be launched.
  • A Surface-mini is expected to headline the event being a 7-8” tablet with a Qualcomm processor, presumably at a very low price.
  • Currently this is expected to be a device much like the Lumia 2520 which has a Qualcomm processor and runs Windows RT.
  • The problem with Windows RT is that it is end of life.
  • Both consumers and PC makers have voted with their feet when it comes to this platform leaving Microsoft as the only manufacturer and volumes a mere rounding error.
  • Windows RT is underpowered, limited in functionality (see here) but it does offer good battery life when compared to a laptop.
  • Unfortunately, this has not been enough and Microsoft has all but confirmed that there will not be three operating systems. (see here)
  • This means that full-fat Windows will meet Windows Phone at some point which is probably somewhere around a screen size of 7”.
  • This is why I am hopeful that a Surface-mini will not be running Windows RT but Windows Phone.
  • Nokia has already almost built this product with its launch of the 6.0” Lumia 1520 and making the screen 1” bigger would be a reasonably trivial undertaking.
  • Launching the Surface-mini on WP8.1 would also provide a huge boost to my hopes that different parts of Microsoft can begin working together for the good of the whole.
  • The Surface program is part of the old Microsoft and a Surface on WP8.1 would be the kind of co-operation that essential for Microsoft to turn itself around.
  • However, change does not come quickly, and I am ready to be disappointed in May 20th.
  • There is also likely to be an update to the Surface-pro which would be welcome given that the current version is fat, clunky and ugly when compared to devices produced by Samsung and Sony.
  • There may also be more Lumia launches as this would be in ideal setting to 1) launch new phones and 2) continue pushing the ecosystem on every form-factor story.
  • Microsoft’s new leadership seems to be leaning towards remaking Microsoft as an ecosystem company and this would be a great opportunity to put some product behind the rhetoric.
  • Microsoft remains one of my top choices for investing in the ecosystem space along with Yahoo! and Google.

RICHARD WINDSOR

Richard is founder, owner of research company, Radio Free Mobile. He has 16 years of experience working in sell side equity research. During his 11 year tenure at Nomura Securities, he focused on the equity coverage of the Global Technology sector.