Oh Microsoft Hardware, you tease!
Via the medium of Twitter, the software-maker's peripherals division has been dropping some hints about its latest product this week. First came the cryptic "Don't be so touchy...flat is where it's at.", followed by two pictures of the mysterious device.
On a quick inspection, the rounded edges and smooth surface make it look like the back of a phone or tablet. However, Microsoft Hardware tends to focus on input devices like keyboards, mice, controllers and webcams. It seems unlikely that something as important as a prototype phone or tablet - devices that Microsoft isn't even in the business of making - would be left to the peripherals division.
So, we're looking at something flat and touch sensitive that isn't a phone or tablet. Some comments are suggesting a new version of the Zune MP3 player. While possible, this once again seems unlikely coming from the hardware division. Furthermore, the company tends to keep its media players free from corporate branding, yet the device is clearly emblazoned with the Microsoft logo. The only logical explanation left seems to be a touchpad in the vein of Apple's recently launched Magic Trackpad.
Of course, a touch-based input device is fairly reasonable. Microsoft has been espousing the virtues of touch input for some time, especially since the launch of Windows 7. With touch-screen monitors still a rarity, this could be a good way to bring touch support to the desktop-using masses.
Microsoft Hardware has promised that more details will be released soon via its Twitter account. In the meantime, do you have any better guesses as to what the mystery device might be? Let us know your thoughts in the HEXUS.community.
