Earlier this month, Microsoft launched a new scheme offering iPad owners the chance to gain min. $200 to use towards a Microsoft Surface tablet.

The company, in a bid to get people using Windows, has now extended its trade-in program to include any "gently used" iPhone 4S or 5's for the same min. $200, but in Microsoft Store Credit only.

TechCrunch reports there is also a deal in the works to offer a similar trade-in for iPad owners.

Microsoft's incentive behind the scheme; to get Apple customers handing over their Apple hardware and walking out with Microsoft, whether that's a Lumia Windows Phone such as the Nokia Lumia 925, Surface tablet, or other device.

"Precisely what Microsoft intends to do with all its accumulated Apple hardware remains opaque," TechCrunch reports.

Last week, Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 was officialy unveiled with Windows 8.1 alongside reports that a Surface Mini is on its way.

Microsoft has also recently acquired Nokia's mobile phone business paying out £4.6 billion to take over the reins.

According to a report in Bloomberg earlier this year, Apple are rumoured to be planning their own trade-in program offering Apple customers the chance to trade-in their current iPhone handsets and upgrade to a newer model.

Source: TechCrunch