Microsoft Building a 7 inch Tablet: Is it Xbox Surface?

Microsoft is tight lipped about its next -generation console - Xbox 720. The company is so secretive about the PlayStation 4 competitor that it even sacked Adam Orth, Microsoft Studios Creative director, who recently made some nasty comments about "always -on" consoles on Twitter recently. Well, following his departure from Microsoft, a new rumor has surfaced, which could be nothing about an Xbox tablet.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Redmond-based tech giant is indeed working on a 7-inch tablet. Despite getting not so great response to Surface RT, Microsoft will explore opportunities in a 7-inch segment.

The decision was taken just last year due to the stupendous success of the Google Nexus 7 and Apple iPad Mini. That would mean one could see an affordable 7-inch Surface tablet this holiday season. Even Google is planning a successor to Nexus 7 same with Apple, who is speculated to announce next-version of iPad Mini this summer. Recently, Microsoft made some key changes in the configuration of Windows 8, which would ultimately allow tablets less than 10-inches to use Windows 8 as main OS. However, WSJ report made stress on a smaller tablet under Surface brand.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Microsoft could announce a tablet under Xbox brand. That would be completely different from Surface lineup, according to multiple sources.

The rumored Xbox tablet would be compatible with next-generation Xbox 720, and acts as a second screen experience. Even Apple has similar plans with iTV. As far as the name of the tablet is concerned, it would be known by X-Surface: a gaming tablet that can dethrone iPad and Sony PS Vita jointly. It won't use Windows 8 or Windows RT edition to power up the device, but comes with native OS. It could be connected with Xbox 360 controllers as well, for steady gaming performance.

Talking about the specifications, it could boast Octa-Core processor powered by AMD. These are just rumors with no authentic source to rely upon.

It is to be seen whether Microsoft announces add on hardware in the form of X-Surface tablet this coming May (a possible month where Microsoft could announce next-gen Xbox). Will the next-gen Xbox uses a tablet device instead of classic Xbox 360 type controller? Will Microsoft merge Surface lineup under Xbox brand? A lot of questions need to be answered.