The Surface tablet is already entrenched in the hot new Windows 8 eco-system but Microsoft has left the destiny of its Smartphone in the hands of Nokia, Samsung and HTC. The Wall Street Journal has this week reported rumours that plans are afoot to change this, and soon.

While Steve Ballmer may be unwilling to comment on Microsoft’s future products whispers are being heard around factories in Asia. Insiders have suggested that Microsoft is in talks with Asian manufacturers, on the hunt for a partner to manufacture the new 4 to 5 inch WP8 Smartphone.

During the recent interview with the WSJ Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was his usual evasive self, not wanting to comment on the possibility of an MS branded WP8 Smartphone.

According to the WSJ interview, “We are quite happy this holiday, going to market hard with Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Whether we had a plan to do something different or we didn’t have a plan I wouldn’t comment in any dimension,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft, in an interview with the WSJ.

In its current state the Windows phone market probably needs all the help it can get, making the possibility a positive in the long run. Does Microsoft have an Xbox Smartphone up its sleeves? How daring and risky are they willing to be?

Reference: The Wall Street Journal