WSJ says new Microsoft Surface tablets are coming including 7 inch model

According to the WSJ, Microsoft plans a new lineup of Microsoft tablets including a 7 inch model expected to start production later in 2013. Microsoft has found itself without a 7 inch slate to go up against the large number of low-priced 7 inch Android tablets like the Google Nexus 7. According to IDC, half of the tablets that shipped in the fourth quarter were under 8 inches.

A source familiar with Microsoft's plans says that a 7 inch tablet wasn't even on the company's radar last year, but executives at the Redmond based firm realized that it had no response for the lower priced Android slates and for the iOS flavored Apple iPad mini, which carries a 7.9 inch screen. Executives also have gone on the record to admit that its product lineup doesn't include a low-priced touchscreen product.

Microsoft is also continuing to test its own smartphone, according to component suppliers, but it still is unknown if the handset will ever see a public release. It is all part of what CEO Steve Ballmer calls Microsoft's shift from a software company to a "devices and services" company.

source: WSJ