Microsoft Surface Phone release date, Specs & features news: Device in active development? Patent sketches hint at Surface Pen, no headphone jack

It looks like the Microsoft Surface Phone will see the light of day soon, contrary to the reports that claim it has been abandoned by the Redmond-based software giant.

Patently Apple appears to have dug up patent drawings showing the design of the Microsoft-made smartphone flagship, which, at first glance, appears to be like any other Lumia device. However, the design suggests that the Microsoft Surface Phone is being considered to ditch the camera button, which has become a signature feature in the company's devices.

A home button and a fingerprint scanner are also nowhere to be found. While the former is not much of a shock, the lack of the latter opens some possibilities.

For starters, Microsoft might be looking to highlight in the Microsoft Surface Phone its biometric security feature known as Windows Hello, which allows users to unlock the device by having the front camera detect their face.

Softpedia also suggests that the device might also use a fingerprint scanner integrated to the display, as rumored in the past about the device.

That way, Microsoft can take the feature to the next level as many premium devices embed the fingerprint scanning technology on the home button.

There is also no headphone jack in this purported Microsoft Surface Phone design. There is, however, a USB-C port, which is believed to double as the audio jack and the means to charge the device.

Finally, Microsoft would want the device to live up to its name by keeping it in line with its Surface siblings with the addition of a Surface Pen. The design shows a slot for the stylus.

Of course, as it is always with patents, they are not guaranteed to be used by companies who file them. At the moment, the release of the Microsoft Surface Phone itself is up in the air.

It is worthy to note thought that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella did hint that they are hoping to create "the ultimate mobile device," which is believed to take the form of the Microsoft Surface Phone.

It is believed that the device will help the company redeem its hold in the mobile scene and compete with Apple and Android while expanding its Surface-branded lineup.

According to the latest rumors, the Microsoft Surface Phone will be released in 2018 just after the Redstone 3 update for Windows 10 is rolled out. This is for the device to be able to take advantage of the software update, including the ability to run x86 apps on the