Steve Ballmer: Surface to 'prime the pump' for release of Windows 8

If you've so much as glanced at the internet in the past few hours, you'll probably be aware that Redmond-based manufacturer Microsoft has announced a Windows 8-powered tablet.

Following the event, website The Verge had a quick chat with Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, who confirmed that the company's hardware partners were made aware of the announcement prior to the official unveiling.

Unfortunately, Ballmer wasn't as quick to share details or the expected price of the forthcoming slate, but he was kind enough to provide us with a little comic relief.

When asked what his company can bring to the table that other hardware-makers can't, the CEO failed to answer, but stated that the new tablet's mission is to "prime the pump" for Windows 8. Prime the pump? That has to be a euphemism.

Surface is "an important companion to the whole Windows 8 story. It's an important piece; it's not the only piece," he later said.