Microsoft confirms decision to bin new Surface tablet

Surface Mini was rumoured for release in May

Microsoft has confirmed its decision not to ship a new Surface device but stopped short of naming it as the much-hyped Surface Mini tablet.

Earlier this year when Microsoft took the wraps off its Surface Pro 3 tablet (pictured) at a New York press event, it was widely expected to launch a smaller device to rival Apple's iPad Mini at the same time, but this didn't happen.

Some reports claim the firm had put off the launch indefinitely despite having ordered 20,000 devices, but Microsoft remained tight-lipped when questioned on the matter.

In an 8-k filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Microsoft confirmed it had decided to axe a new Surface tablet.

"Current year cost of revenue included Surface inventory adjustments resulting from our transition to newer-generation devices and a decision to not ship a new form factor," the document reads.

The reference to the new form factor could relate to another tablet which the industry did not cotton on to, but Microsoft was unavailable to comment.