Microsoft is currently building yet another portable device. But unlike the recently revealed Windows Surface, which presents the Windows 8 experience as a whole in a tablet format, and is aimed at a wide range of potential customers, the Xbox Surface has just one (perhaps obvious) focus: gamers.
According to The Verge, it will be a 7-inch gaming tablet, and falls in line with leaked info that predicted such a device, all the way back in June. The latest round of speculation includes the possibility of an ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM, both designed specifically for graphically intensive games.
Though the Xbox Surface OS is ultimately being developed independently of the hardware, and will not be a full version of Windows 8 as one might assume. Instead, it is theorized to be just a custom Windows kernel, which again is surprising, given how much of a focus 8 has become.
Furthermore, it is assumed that Xbox Surface development is happening behind in one of several Xbox related buildings in Silicon Valley that Microsoft recently locked down, which has imposed severe restrictions among their employees. More than likely, testing is going, and MS doesn't want any leaks.
A similar, clandestine process was employed for the previous Surface tablets, and to great effect.
Microsoft is definitely serious about the gaming potential of tablets. The recently release Smart Glass app is more than sufficient evidence of this. Though the Xbox Surface may not be the portable Xbox experience that many have been clamoring for (who might all prefer something with more buttons).
