Microsoft Takes a Page From Apple's Playbook

News came early Friday morning that the former "software only" company Microsoft (NAS: MSFT) is currently working with Asian suppliers to test out a proprietary smartphone. This is a huge deal because it will bring the company closer to Apple's (NAS: AAPL) wildly successful software-and-hardware model.

The company has not released a lot of information on the smartphone. What we do know is the phone will probably be about 4 inches to 5 inches, which makes it a direct competitor of the IPhone. If Microsoft comes out with its own hardware, it's likely that consumers would find a more fully integrated device more appealing than current offerings.

Things are still very much up in the air for the company. Get the full scoop in the following video with Fool.com analyst Lyons George.

It's been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who've watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He's also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

The article Microsoft Takes a Page From Apple's Playbook originally appeared on Fool.com.

Lyons George has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Microsoft. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Apple and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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