When asked if such a move would interrupt working relationships with longtime hardware partners, Ballmer said no: "Do I anticipate that partners of ours will build the lion's share of all Windows devices over the next five years? The answer is, absolutely.
"With that said, it is absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not go unexploited at all by Microsoft."
The company currently offers the Xbox game console and the new Surface tablet, which runs on Windows RT, so expanding their hardware lineup does make sense given the ecosystem they are trying to build.
By building a phone, for example, would pit the company against its long-time partners such as Samsung and Lenovo, each of which have plans for Windows Phone 8 devices.
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 Nov 2012 17:26
