Microsoft fires shot at rivals with mini devices revelation

Outgoing chief financial officer Peter Klein tells analysts in earnings call to expect some smaller developments in coming months

Windows fans should expect to see some smaller Windows 8-based devices coming to market in the future, Microsoft's chief financial office has revealed.

Peter Klein, who is due to leave at the end of the vendor's fiscal year in June, told analysts on a Q3 earnings call: "We are also working closely with OEMs on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows.

The move, which could also include a seven-inch Surface device, has already been branded by the channel as a necessary move to stay competitive against the likes of Apple and Samsung.

"These devices will have competitive price points, partly enabled by our latest OEM offerings designed specifically for these smaller devices, and will be available in the coming months," Klein said.

Klein also teased analysts with hints that an upcoming revision to Windows 8, codenamed 'Blue' will reinstate the 'Start' button that was so familiar to regular Windows users.

This is partly due to customer feedback, he said on the call.