Microsoft exec says no plans to launch Surface phone

Microsoft has long been rumored to be building a flagship Surface smartphone for its Windows Phone operating system. In fact, we know there’s a Surface phone in the works, though launch plans are up in the air at this point. Those waiting for the phone to hit store shelves got some bad news on Tuesday as Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows Phone, Terry Myerson, denied that the handset will launch anytime soon while speaking at AllThingsD’s Dive Into Mobile conference. The executive said that if Microsoft were to produce its own smartphone it would be an effort to provide a unique user experience that its Windows Phone partners are not able to achieve, Business Insider reported. For the time being, however, he believes that partners such as HTC and Nokia are already providing a great mobile experience to users.