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When tablets and smartphones were developed it seemed as if tech companies were trying to release the next best thing, only smaller. Now, as rumors float around about an 80-inch tablet computer, Microsoft (News - Alert) might start a new trend: the bigger the better.

Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer probably has tons of devices that he tests on a daily basis, but the one that has people talking is the 80-inch tablet he has hanging on the wall in his office. According to a report from Wired.co.uk, Microsoft’s vice president, Frank Shaw, confirmed the device’s existence saying, “Steve Ballmer (News - Alert) has an 80-inch Windows 8 tablet in his office. He’s got rid of his phone, he’s got rid of his notepaper,” said Shaw.

If the giant-screen tablet proves to be a popular enough device, it could hit the marketplace soon, according to Shaw. “It’s a touch-enabled and it’s hung on his wall. It’s his whiteboard, his e-mail machine, and it’s a device we’re going to sell,” said Shaw.

Shaw made it clear that when the new tablet is offered to consumers it will be running Windows 8, Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, which is expected to be released this fall according to reports. Clearly, this new tablet is not made for the person on the go. It’s unlikely that the massive tablet will take off in the homes of consumers, but could be a great asset to office buildings, municipalities and governmental entities.

However, Shaw said if the demand were there, Microsoft would supply it. “It’s not a consumer thing now, but we know historically that that’s how all things start,” said Shaw. “The idea that there should be a screen that’s not a computer, we’ll laugh at that in two years. Every screen should be touch, every screen should be a computer and should be able to see out as well as see in. That is the way the world is heading [and] those screens are going to be big, small, wall-sized, and desk-sized,” added Shaw.

Microsoft has not confirmed that the 80-inch tablet will in fact be released any time soon. The company would only tease its Windows 8, saying consumers could expect more details in the coming weeks before its release this fall.

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