Windows on ARM – Blue Phoenix

(RFM will return on Wednesday April 3rd)

Windows RT in its current form looks doomed. 

• When Samsung pulls its RT products, everyone will and I have also seen many product roadmaps shut down all together.
• I have discussed the problem in detail in a previous post but in a nutshell, Windows RT fails because although it looks like Windows 8, it does not behave like Windows 8.
• This has led to consumer confusion, disappointment and virtually no sales.
• I am a big believer in Windows on ARM as it offers a more power efficient, cheaper alternative to Intel that should allow ultrabooks and tablets to penetrate further into the mass market.
• For the first time in over 20 years the WinTel monopoly has been broken and the consumer stands to be a major beneficiary.
• The problem is the limited functionality of the Windows on ARM devices and until this is fixed Windows on ARM is going nowhere.
• The good news is that there is a new release of Windows that should debut this year (Windows Blue) and the supply chain is saying that this version should have Windows RT merged into it.
• This is the second time I have heard this from a completely separate source and so I am beginning to hope that it is true.
• However, if this is another fudge like Windows 8 / RT was then it will be yet another failure.
• The pre-requisite for Windows on ARM to take off is that a consumer cannot tell the difference between a device running ARM and a device running Intel when it comes to function.
• All he should notice is a lower price tag, no fan assisted cooling and a longer battery life.
• Windows Blue is due to be shown at the Microsoft Build Developer Conference June 26-28.
• I am hopeful that Windows RT will vanish leaving just full fat Windows that will run on either processor.
• The problem of legacy software still has to be fixed, but with a credible offering on ARM, I can see developers being more willing to release their software for both processors as well as porting older software onto ARM.
• I am also looking for signs of harmonisation of Windows Phone and Windows 8 which currently run on different kernels and are not as compatible as they look.
• Should I not be disappointed, then I can see the Windows on ARM proposition rise from the ashes to contend once again with the mainstream.