Microsoft has already hinted it will give the world a look at Windows Phone 8 at a dedicated summit for the platform on 20 June.

Now it appears its bigger brother, Windows 8, may also be set for a press blitz.

The firm has invited members of the press along to witness an 'important announcement' at an as of yet undefined location in Hollywood on 18 June, with speculation suggesting it will be focused on Windows 8.

Hunt for hardware

Indeed, some have even claimed that, rather than simply detailing the platform's implementation on ARM-based tablets – where it will be known as Windows RT – the event will play host to the unveiling of first-party hardware.

Entertainment blog The Wrap claims an "individual with knowledge of the company" has claimed the firm will "introduce a Microsoft-manufactured tablet at the event, marking a foray into a new hardware category that would put the company in direct competition with giant rival Apple."

Microsoft has never suggested it would look to manufacturer its own tablets. Rather, it had been expected Nokia's Windows 8 tablets – likely to be closely linked to its Windows Phone-powered Lumia range of smartphones – would effectively be given 'first-party billing'.

As for the Windows Phone 8 reveal two days later, The Verge claims it will focus on introducing developers to a new way of creating apps for the Windows 8-based kernel equipped within the OS.

[source: The Wrap]