Microsoft’s Surface RT has not reached the people as well as Microsoft would have expected. The sales of the other Windows 8 devices isn’t picking up either. HTC has had very little success in the tablet industry with a couple of tablets – Flyer and Jetstream. Rightly so, it opted out of the tablet market to concentrate on the smartphone business. HTC has not been able to stamp their authority over there as well.
Out of the blue, we are hearing rumors that HTC and Microsoft are working together to bring a couple of Windows RT tablets in 2013 – a 7inch tablet and a 12inch tablet.
A 7inch Windows RT tablet is a huge gamble from HTC. The 7inch tablet is usually a budget tablet range. HTC is going to have a real tough time trying to fit a Windows RT tablet in the budget range. One advantage that Windows RT tablet is expected to have is the availability of Microsoft Office. This will give it a huge advantage over the other tablets. But we all know that Microsoft is planning an Android and iPad version of Microsoft Office, so the real edge is lost. Also the Office in Windows RT is not fully touch optimized, but it is just a software glitch and we are expecting Microsoft to fix it soon.
On the other hand, HTC is planning a 12inch Windows RT tablet. Currently, there is no such big Windows RT tablet. HTC may be planning to include a Full HD 1080p display and all that could drive the price up. These tablets are expected to be available in early 2013.
Rumors are also claiming that we may get to see these tablets as early as CES 2013.!