Thankfully, a report from The Verge hints that Microsoft may be planning to do just that after AdDuplex spotted what could be a pair of new Surface tablets accessing its network. It saw that one of the devices was named "Microsoft Corporation Surface 2", which could be the new name for Microsoft's next surface.
A name change will give Microsoft another shot at showing the way with a new model, too. The addition of a smaller Surface RT would be welcome, not least because the Acer Iconia W3 proves that the 8-inch form factor fits Windows 8.1's charms like a glove (even if its resolution doesn't allow the snapping of tiles), but at £299, it also shows that you don't have to break the bank to get hold of the full-fat Windows 8 Pro experience.
In general, Microsoft needs to prove RT's value. Unfortunately, Nokia's foray into the RT tablet arena with its rumoured £399 10.1-inch 'Sirius' slate shows that the few vendors still onboard may be heading in the opposite direction.
4. Let people use another browser
The browsing experience today has evolved to the point where browsers are more than mere programs: they're ecosystems filled with personalised extensions, plug-ins, and synchronised content.
The implications of allowing users to download a browser aside from Internet Explorer, particularly on the desktop, would be huge. It would bring Windows RT out of the dark ages of browsers and, combined with further price drops, would make it difficult for anybody to justify the purchase of a Chromebook over a Windows RT-based device.
5. Up the gaming ante
Windows RT devices have one huge advantage over Android and iOS based rivals – the ability to use official Xbox 360 peripherals for games. Apple is reportedly looking at introducing its own iOS gamepad in the future, so if Microsoft wants to take advantage of the millions of Xbox 360 owners around the world, now would be the time to bake some gaming goodness into the platform.
Rumours, ahem, surfaced as early as November last year that Microsoft is looking at introducing a 7-inch gaming tablet, which would make sense in terms of portability and giving the device a lower resolution to be less taxing on the hardware.
