IoT partnership focused on open ecosystem ideal for makers
LAS VEGAS – Microsoft and Samsung, two heavyweights in the consumer electronics space, are joining forces to bring Windows 10 to future Samsung devices with an eye on appealing to “Internet of Things” applications developers.
The two companies made the announcement during a keynote at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Samsung President Dr. Won-Pyo and Microsoft EVP of Windows and devices group Terry Myerson discussed the project during a keynote address at the annual exposition.
Myerson wrapped up the announcement in a blog post: “We share a common vision for millions and millions of devices and things all communicating together using open protocols and standards within inclusive ecosystems, inspiring the creativity of software developers, device manufacturers, and rising star makers around the world. CES is a perfect event to showcase ideas that we’re collectively exploring and today we were honored to showcase how Windows 10 is the ideal platform for intelligent IoT devices.”
The first step in the partnership is the anticipated Sprint release of the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S, which will run Windows 10. The tablet/laptop hybrid is meant to compete with Apple’s iPad Pro.
TechCrunch pointed out in the IoT space, Samsung has the chips, devices and services covered, but no platform.
“This is where Microsoft comes into play,” Ingrid Lunden and Frederic Lardinois wrote. “For now there doesn’t appear to be a lot of details of what shape this partnership will take but it looks like it will be part of what looks like a bigger relationship with the two and Microsoft’s own ambition to develop more universal windows apps that work across different devices and with a single unified security system in place across them.”
