Microsoft working on ‘Xbox Surface’ gaming tablet

Microsoft is rumoured to be working on a tablet variant of it’s Xbox 360 console – dubbed ‘Xbox Surface.’

Sources confirmed to The Verge that Microsoft is in the final stages of developing a gaming-centric 7-inch tablet, with a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM capable of handling graphically intensive gaming tasks. Instead of a running a full version of Windows, it will instead have a ‘custom Windows kernel.’

The project is shrouded in secrecy and being developed independently from the hardware manufacturers that make the traditional Xbox 360 console.

Shifted2U has a document, allegedly a Microsoft press release detailing further specification information of the new tablet.

Simply entitled ‘Partial Technical Specifications’ the 7-inch screen will have a a resolution of 1280×720, it will be powered by two IBM processors with 5GB RAM and 250GB storage. Connections include 4x USB ports, component video/HDMI, optical audio, ethernet and support for four wireless game controllers.

News of an Xbox tablet is certainly interesting – Microsoft is clearly going after the handheld market occupied by the Sony PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS, although of course the hardware has more in common with Apple’s iPad. Microsoft has recently introduced Xbox SmartGlass, an iOS and Android app that turns a tablet or smartphone into a second Xbox 360 screen for playing games and watch movies. Check out the video below to find out more.

Would you like to see a Microsoft tablet? Let us know below via Twitter or Facebook.