(Photo: Amanda Peyton, Twitter)

Graffiti-like ads for Microsoft’s new Surface tablet have been cropping up on the sides of buildings across New York, according to The Verge. Sadly, they do not feature the mug of $MSFT CEO Steve Ballmer splashed in pop art colors in a Che Guevara-esque pose.

Instead, they’re simple, boxy renderings with the term “SURFACE” imprinted in bold. Microsoft refused to confirm or deny to The Verge whether or not the ads are actually sponsored by the company, but considering previous guerilla marketing tactics for products like MSN, we’re sure they’re in on it somehow. We also somehow doubt an enterprising graffiti artist has suddenly decided to chronicle his affinity for a technology company that peaked while he was in elementary school.

Wonder what Mayor Bloomberg will have to say? He’s tech friendly, but surely he can’t be that tech friendly.

Jessica Roy is a reporter for Betabeat and the New York Observer. Follow Jessica on Twitter or via RSS. jroy@observer.com