Windows on ARM

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March 13, 2012
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Dear Microsoft: You’re doing it right

By on March 13, 2012 at 11:15 AM.

Dear Microsoft: You’re doing it right

Late last summer, I wrote an article titled Dear tablet makers: You’re doing it wrong in which I shared my view on what I believe to be one of the biggest problems currently facing tablet vendors. In this article, I postulated that most Android tablets failed to make a splash because, in a nutshell, they bring nothing new to the table. Of course Android offers a vastly different user interface and user experience as compared to Apple’s market-leading iPad, but in terms of true differentiation — unique and desirable features offered to tablet buyers that cannot be found on the iPad — Android tablets have historically been lacking. More →

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mobile
February 29, 2012
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Windows on ARM won’t support some business features

By on February 29, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

Windows on ARM won’t support some business features

Microsoft previously disclosed that Windows on ARM will feature a desktop mode to ensure an identical user experience between ARM and Intel-based tablets. On Wednesday, however, the software giant revealed that Windows on ARM won’t offer certain manageability features, AllThingsD reported. “Although the ARM-based version of Windows does not include the same manageability features that are in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, businesses can use these power-saving devices in unmanaged environments,” Microsoft said. In addition to the lack of manageability, businesses may be hesitant to use Windows on ARM due to its inability to run, emulate or port existing x86/64 desktop apps. Read on for more. More →

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mobile
February 9, 2012
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Microsoft details Windows 8 for ARM and unveils Office 15

By on February 9, 2012 at 4:35 PM.

Microsoft details Windows 8 for ARM and unveils Office 15

Microsoft on Thursday revealed new details about Windows on ARM (WOA) on the company’s development blog. Both Windows 8 for x86 PCs and WOA are still under development, however both will be available at the same time while delivering the same experience. Windows on ARM will come preloaded with Office 15 — which has been enhanced to support touch controls — and users will have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. To ensure that x86-based tablets and ARM-based devices are identical, WOA will feature a desktop mode, giving users access to the File Explorer, Internet Explorer 10 desktop and other Windows desktop features. Metro-style apps from the Windows Store will support both Windows on ARM and Windows for x86/64. WOA does not, however, support running, emulating or porting existing x86/64 desktop apps. More →

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Computers
December 6, 2011
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Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba will be major ARM-based Windows 8 partners

By on December 6, 2011 at 7:15 AM.

Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba will be major ARM-based Windows 8 partners

Microsoft’s next operating system, Windows 8, will be the first Windows desktop OS capable of running on both x86 and ARM-based processors. However, a report from DigiTimes on Monday suggests that major Taiwanese vendors such as ASUS may not have a role in developing the new machines at all. It was originally thought that ASUS may have had plans to release an ARM-powered Windows 8 machine in 2013. Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and NVIDIA, three ARM processor builders, are reportedly allowed to choose two notebook partners each, one major and one minor, DigiTimes explained. Qualcomm will work with Samsung and Sony, Texas Instruments plans to team with Toshiba and Samsung, and NVIDIA apparently said it will build ARM-based machines with Lenovo and Acer. The three major computer partners are Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba. Pegatron, Winstron, Compal and Quanta have each initiated research and development in an effort to woo big ARM-based Windows 8 contracts from the aforementioned vendors. More →

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