Microsoft Windows is the software language of choice for business, and the Redmond company is making sure that language translates to tablets. The company says key Windows applications will run on tablets powered by ARM-based chips, the processors that power most tablets and smartphones today. These applications include Internet Explorer 1.0, Microsoft Office, and the Windows desktop and file explorer. In a blog post Windows head Steve Sinofsky said the Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote) “have been significantly architected for both touch and minimized power/resource consumption.” The company is calling the operating system WOA (Windows on ARM). Microsoft did not give a release date, but said WOA will come pre-loaded on tablets later this year, and will not be available for download. (Photo: Steve Sinofsky, courtesy of Microsoft)
With iPads outselling PCs, Microsoft needs to be part of the next generation of tablets that will compete with Apple’s products. Microsoft also plans to release Windows 8 this year for devices using the x86/64 processors that currently power most personal computers, as well as some tablets. WOA devices will not run or port existing x86/64 desktop applications.
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