The first ARM devices to run under Windows are expected to arrive on shelves later this year, when the next-generation Windows 8 is made available for purchase.
Windows is already loaded on the vast majority of x86 / 64 computers out there, and is getting ready to assault the ARM Market as well, though only in the Tablet PC segment for the time being.
Even if it becomes commercially available in late 2012, Windows on ARM has been tested ever since 2010, before Apple even announced its popular iPad tablet.
Photos that were published on the Building Windows 8 blog last week and which show Windows loaded on smartphones packing ARM processors are dated 22 January 2010, which is one week before Apple unveiled the iPad to the world.
EXIF data for these photos shows this, Istartedsomething notes. This also unveils the fact that Microsoft had plans for the ARM segment of the market even before iPad became such a huge success, even if the company announced Windows On ARM (woa) only one year later, at CES 2011.
Microsoft took its time with the development of Windows on ARM, and is still said to be hard at work with ensuring that the platform will be ready in time for Windows 8’s launch on Intel and AMD architectures.
Bringing the platform to ARM was not an easy task, especially since the company wanted to make sure that users would benefit from a consistent experience across various architectures.
One thing that is certain, however, is that Windows on ARM was not meant to be just another reaction to the great success the Apple iPad benefitted (and continues to benefit) from.
WOA will bring the same features and capabilities as Windows 8 on x86 / 64 architectures, including the desktop mode that all Windows users are accustomed with and support for all Metro-style applications such as the Microsoft office Suite.
No comments:
Post a Comment