windows8Microsoft is working with its hardware partners to develop “small touch devices” based on Windows, set for release in the “coming months,” the company’s outgoing chief financial officer Peter Klein confirmed this afternoon.

The comment on the company’s earnings conference call was an apparent reference to plans to develop smaller Windows 8 tablets to compete with devices including the smallest Kindle Fire, Google’s Nexus 7 and Apple’s iPad Mini.

The news isn’t a surprise: Microsoft had previously changed the hardware requirements for Windows 8 to allow for screen resolutions and ratios that will accommodate smaller devices, as reported by Ed Bott of ZDNet last month.

Klein, who earlier today announced plans to leave the company, didn’t give further details on the plans for smaller devices. One remaining question is whether Microsoft will also come out with its own smaller Surface tablet.

Earlier: Microsoft profits top expectations, finance chief Klein leaving

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