Microsoft executives have dropped hints in the past that the company would be making a combined keyboard/cover for its Surface devices that would include a built-in battery. The latest anonymously sourced reports from Neowin.net and the Windows SuperSite indicate these new covers are, indeed, in the pipeline. The so-called Power Covers will extend the battery life of the Intel-Haswell-based Surface 2 Pro, existing Intel-based Surface Pro and the coming ARM-based Surface 2, those sources are saying, but there’s no word on exactly how much extra life they will add. According to Windows SuperSite’s Paul Thurrott, the new battery-inclusive Type Power Cover will be 0.38 inches (9.75mm) thick, compared with 0.21 inches (5.33mm) for today’s Type Cover. The new covers may not be available until sometime after the actual launch of the new Surfaces, however, the reports indicate.
