Microsoft Surface
Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President for Surface Computing demonstrates the new Microsoft Surface Studio computer at a live event in the Manhattan borough of New York City, October 26, 2016. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

There have been tremendous speculation surrounding the Microsoft Surface Phone, and if latest reports are to be believed, the Redmond-based tech giant is secretly developing the device. The next-generation smartphone is expected to launch later this year.

The Surface Phone project is reportedly being supervised by Surface Vice President Panos Panay. Insider sources have revealed that Intel is greatly involved in this smartphone project. Intel could be helping out Microsoft in bridging the gap between a productive mobile device and a smartphone. While the Surface-maker has never acknowledged the existence of such a phone, it has given several hints in the past, including CEO Satya Nadella, who tipped about his plans to manufacture the “ultimate mobile device.”

Designer Casmir Valeri has taken this idea and created new concept images on Behance with the long-running rumours, and if the phone is even close to the renders, it surely will take the market by storm. The renders look stunning to say the least. They primarily focus on productivity where the device will function as a multi-touch track-pad for a Windows 10 laptop or desktop located nearby. In lines with the Kindle Oasis, the designer has also created a cover for the smartphone that will double battery life, writes Express.

Valeri has also included an additional USB Type-C port. Due to the power of Continuum, the Microsoft Surface Phone could be used both as a smartphone as well as a desktop PC. It will be able to connect to a keyboard and monitor, thereby keeping files and programs in a single device. Microsoft is set to hold the annual developer conference next week, known as Microsoft Build. Fans are expecting that the company will drop a few hints about the device. It will surely unveil the redesigned Windows 10 user interface during the conference.

Meanwhile, it is also almost certain that the Redmond company will be launching yet another Surface tablet later in May. It has already sent invites for a Shanghai event, scheduled to be held on May 23. The invite was posted to Instagram by Panay with the hashtag #Surface. This has in turn led to intense speculation that the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 could also be revealed. However, the device will reportedly be only a minor improvement over its predecessor. To be logical, the mystery hardware could be anything, even a new Surface Book.

The Surface Studio PC could also be refreshed. Stay tuned on IBT AU for more updates on Surface Phone, Surface Pro 5, Surface Book and other Surface devices.

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