Microsoft's Surface Phone Rumored To Have Intel Atom X3 Processor With Productivity And Security Top Of Mind
Microsoft has become known for making a successful line of productivity-oriented tablets under the brand name of Surface. Recently, reports have been coming out that the company is working on the first phone that will carry the Surface brand. Simply called the Surface Phone, the Tech Times report said that it will likely be made with productivity in mind, rather than entertainment.
Rumors about the device came out as early as August this year, saying that the Surface Phone will be released in May or June 2016.
Among its rumored specs is its processor, which is said to be the Intel Atom X3 LTE (Sofia), which according to the report, already has Windows 10 mobile support. The device will follow the slim and metallic design of the recent Surface devices, the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book, but being a smartphone, it will not have the same high-end specs.
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Given that the phone will prioritize productivity and security, it will likely have support for an iris scanner, USB Type-C and Win32 apps, which are pretty much what is useful for business users. It will also feature a landscape mode which can transform the smartphone into a "mini PC." "Enhanced Continuum" will also be included. The Surface Pen will also be among the phone's accessories.
According to another report in Business Insider, Microsoft may be aiming for its Surface Phone to be preferred by business users rather than consumers. The company's Lumia line of phones already fulfills the need of regular consumers, so targeting the business sector is a smart move.
Microsoft is apparently banking on the support of enterprise users who have always been loyal to Microsoft's productivity-focused products and their integration in business. They are hoping that big businesses will opt to buy Windows phones for their many employees to help make their businesses more productive and efficient.
There is a rumored special event in 2016 to launch the Surface Phone, but Microsoft has yet to make any announcement.
