Microsoft’s Surface tablet isn’t even on sale yet, but it looks like the software giant is already working on the next version. A series of job ads on the Microsoft career site says the company is expanding the line.
When Microsoft unveiled Surface, some observers thought Microsoft’s foray into building its own hardware would be a one-time thing. Once Surface completed its ostensible job of jump-starting the market for Windows 8 tablets, Microsoft would probably back off and let its hardware partners take the reins, and the Surface would slowly fade the the background, or perhaps be discontinued outright.
Now it looks like that’s not going to happen. From the job ads, it appears Microsoft is seriously committed to enhancing and expanding the Surface line. The company has posted total of 13 positions directly related to the “Surface team” since June 18 (the day the tablet was unveiled).
Among the recent jobs advertised for the Surface team: senior hardware engineer, senior component engineer, electrical engineer and mechanical engineer — not positions Microsoft would need if it were planning only incremental upgrades to the hardware and software.
If that wasn’t enough evidence, every ad for a Surface job begins the same way:
Are you passionate about building cool devices and technologies? The Surface Team focuses on lighting up Microsoft experiences with touch first computing. A fundamental part of our strategy is having desirable and powerful devices that enable the experiences people want, and elicit their excitement. Creating these devices involves a close partnership between hardware and software engineers, designers, and manufacturing. We are currently building the next generation and Surface needs you!
Note the last line, which says plainly Microsoft is working on the next-generation Surface, which many have dubbed the Surface 2. Microsoft reps told Mashable the company had no comment on the job postings.
It seems Acer’s fears that Microsoft is now fully competing with its hardware partners — at least in the tablet market — are founded.
Of course, the Surface still needs to prove itself to consumers, and it has stiff competition. It’s entering a market where there is a strong leader, the iPad, and many low-cost Android competitors. How well the Surface does will depend greatly on how much it costs, and Microsoft has said very little about that so far.
Are you excited about the launch of Surface? What features would you like to see in the next version? Have your say in the comments.
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