The rumor mill is hot today after rumors of possible Microsoft branded phones and tablet. The news is still murky but this is what we have now:

- 9to5mac says there are two Microsoft branded phones, codenamed Project Pink, to be introduced possibly as early as CES in January. The two devices, one named “Turtle”, and the other, “Pure”, both show signs of possible smartphones. The Turtle shows a microphone and slide-out keyboard, while the Pure seems to have the design of a candy bar style design.

- ZDNet offered their own opinion on the rumors. According to them, “Pink” refers to a Microsoft branded phone that will offer premium features. This means the phone will be manufactured by someone else, most likely Danger, the makers of the Sidekick, which Microsoft acquired in February.

There’s also the tablet rumors going around, which 9to5mac says are “much, much bigger and juicier.” All these rumors are just that, rumors but usually they hold some truth. If Microsoft were to start manufacturing their own phones and release their own tablet, they’ll be giving Apple some serious competition in the technology and manufacturing department, but can they compete with Apple in the hardware sales department?

Apple’s upcoming tablet has been hyped up for some time and and is coming for sure, it’s just a matter of when Steve Jobs feels like it’s ready. If the tablet is anything like the iPhone and the iPod Touch, then it has the potential to be a hit, especially if it’s priced right. If Microsoft were to release a tablet, they’d be competing against Apple’s reputation of a easy to use product, something both the iPhone and iPod Touch are known for. Most signs point to the tablet being a bigger iPod Touch with a more powerful OS and specs.

Even with Apple releasing a tablet, they never were an ideal product for many. Previous tablets running on Windows software never functioned like they were supposed to and were too big to really be a portable travel companion. But with today’s advancement in touch technology and the popularity of touch smartphones, it’s not to difficult to create a slim, fully functional tablet running on the latest Windows OS. If Microsoft is to release the tablet, they should wait to see what they’re competition has in store, and innovate around those features.

As for the two smartphones from Microsoft, it’s about time. Microsoft was never a hardware company but they’ve reached a point where, if they can create the right product (i.e. Xbox 360 and Zune HD), people will buy it. The smartphones will have to offer Windows 7, just because all other MS Mobile software has been too sluggish to really use on a daily basis. If the smartphones can take the lead from the Zune HD, then it may be a really good competitor. The Zune HD could introduce folks to Microsoft smartphones, the same way the iPhone laid the ground work for the extremely popular iPod Touch. It may not be on the same scale but it’s a start, and right about now, Microsoft will take any kind of head start it can get.

If the Zune HD proved anything, it was that people are willing to give anything a try if it’s done right and can offer them what’s missing on the other products. The Zune HD has received good reviews and many long time Apple users are thinking or have already bought the Zune HD.

But to answer the question, if all this from Microsoft will translate into what they really want, hardware sale, it won’t. Not into the kind of sales Apple has been generating with the iPhone and soon, the Apple tablet. Apple has a huge customer base aka “fan boys” waiting for every Apple product. The tablet will become a hit, and it’s something Microsoft will not be able to compete against unless they introduce features that will blow Apple out of the water. And let’s not even get into the iPhone discussion. The Microsoft brand will probably help them with initial smartphone sales but going against the iPhone will be extremely difficult. They’re much better
competing against other smartphone companies like RIM, HTC or Palm. This will give consumers another option in the crowded smartphone market but more competition never hurt anyone. I want Microsoft to join the smartphone and tablet party, innovation is the key to further advancing technology and two giants going at it head-to-head is the best way to make it happen.