Microsoft developing smaller version of Surface tablet, report says

Microsoft, looking to catch up to rivals, could soon be putting out its own 7-inch tablet.

The Wall Street Journal says the Redmond, Wash., company plans to launch a smaller version of its Surface tablet later this year.

The report, which cites unnamed sources, says that making a small tablet wasn’t an original part of Microsoft’s strategy, but that the company is seeking to adapt to a changing market.

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As Microsoft rolled out its first tablet, the 10.6-inch screen Surface RT, in October, Apple, Google and Amazon.com were pushing out much smaller tablet computers. Apple released the 7.9-inch iPad mini, Google put out the 7-inch Nexus 7 and Amazon updated its 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet with an HD version.

The report doesn’t say when exactly consumers might see the rumored Microsoft device.

If the company sticks to its original strategy for its Surface tablets, consumers may see a low-cost version running Windows RT version of the tablet and a more expensive version that can run Windows 8. Currently, Microsoft sells a Surface Pro tablet, which is capable of doing what any other computer can, as well as a Surface RT tablet, which has the same type of limitations as other tablets.

Microsoft could not be reached for comment.

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