Battery blues? Microsoft Surface 'Power Cover' outed with extra juice

Microsoft Surface Type Cover
Sounds like the Type Cover is about to be upgraded

Earlier this week a slew of alleged Surface Pro 2 bits reached us by way of a report that claimed the next Surface tablet will sport a Haswell chip, a two-stage kickstand and upgraded specs.

Now the same site that brought us that report brings news of an upgraded keyboard cover that it says Microsoft will release as the "Power Cover."

According to Neowin, in addition to a keyboard the new cover has a built-in battery to lend the tablet extra power when its reserves run dry.

The Surface Pro 2 could drop at any time, especially in light of the recent Surface price drops, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Power Cover will arrive at the same time.

Another angle

Neowin reported that the Power Cover might not drop at the same time as the Surface Pro 2, but could come at a later date.

The site also said that the Power Cover will not work with the existing Surface RT, though it may be compatible with the current Surface Pro.

Paul Thurrott's Windows Supersite posted additional details, confirming that the Power Cover actually will work with the existing Surface Pro but not the RT.

Thurrott also corroborated Neowin's claim that the Power Cover will launch after the Surface 2 (believed to be the next-gen Surface RT tablet) and the Surface Pro 2. He says all three items will be out by the end of the year.

TechRadar's own tests of the existing Surface Pro deemed the battery life more than adequate, so it's a good thing that the Power Cover will reportedly be an optional accessory like the Type Cover - many users probably won't need one.

Then again, who's to say what the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will be rocking in terms of battery - maybe they'll need the extra juice.

Either way it sounds like we'll be hearing more about the cover this year.

Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.

Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.