This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. > Find out more here
by Daniel Robinson
13 Sep 2011
ANAHEIM: Microsoft has finally confirmed that Windows 8 devices based on ARM chips will not be able to run existing Windows apps, ending speculation that buyers might have access to the huge installed base of Windows software.
Speaking at Microsoft's Build developer conference, Windows chief Steven Sinofsky flatly ruled out the possibility of the company offering support for legacy Windows applications with Windows 8 on ARM.
"We're not going to port the installed base of x86 applications to ARM. They don't take advantage of the things that make ARM a great architecture," he said, referring to the power-efficiency of ARM-based processors in mobile devices such as tablets.
In particular, legacy x86 applications are not built with awareness of power management states, and would lead to greatly reduced battery life, he said.
Sinofsky further stated that all Windows 8 applications for ARM will be available via the Windows Store, and will be the cross-platform Metro style, apparently contradicting earlier statements from Microsoft that a "native" ARM version of its Office suite was in the works.
"If you build an app using the tools shown off today, it just runs on ARM like it just runs on x86," he said, adding that this capability creates a "huge potential" for new apps to run on both platforms.
Latest stories from Developer
Related videos
Related articles
Related jobs
Poll
How concerned are you by the rising tide of cyber threats?
BlackBerry's latest smartphone is a mid-tier handset that will cost less than the Q10 and Z10
Updating your subscription status
Connect with V3.co.uk
It's no longer one or other with web security; you can now have a virtualisation and SaaS hybrid model
BYOD is important for employee satisfaction, but poses challenges in terms of security, productivity loss and costs
CREATIVE WEB DESIGNER WEB DESIGNER - PHOTOSHOP My client...
A Global Risk consultancy is looking for a Quantitative...
A Technical Data Analyst is required for a Tier 1 investment...
Test Consultant (Integration / Automation / Performance...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree