Microsoft: Windows 8 will support Intel, AMD, and ARM

[Emil]

Microsoft has announced that the next version of Windows will support System on a Chip (SoC) architectures from ARM-based systems designed by partners Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments. Microsoft's goal is of course to further increase the range of hardware it supports with Windows.

The company essentially confirmed rumors that it was working on an ARM-friendly Windows OS. In order to emphasize that the x86 architecture was not being replaced, however, Microsoft also confirmed that Intel and AMD were working on low-power SoC designs that fully support Windows, including support for native x86 applications.

Although Microsoft did not show off anything with AMD hardware, the company did demonstrate the next version of Windows running on new SoC platforms from Intel on x86 architecture and from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments on ARM architecture. The technology demonstration included Windows client support of hardware-accelerated graphics and media playback, hardware-accelerated Web browsing with Internet Explorer, USB device support, printing, as well as Microsoft Office running natively on ARM.

It's important to note that Microsoft still did not explicitly say "Windows 8" during its presentation at CES 2011. Nevertheless, it did show a build number for a second that started with 6.2, which is the kernel version for Windows 7's successor.

"With today's announcement, we're showing the flexibility and resiliency of Windows through the power of software and a commitment to world-class engineering," Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, said in a statement. "We continue to evolve Windows to deliver the functionality customers demand across the widest variety of hardware platforms and form factors."

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/41844-microsoft-windows-8-will-support-intel-amd-and-arm.html

 

[dividebyzero]

This announcement is roughly half the story I think. The other probably more significant part is the fact that Nvidia announced that it is building it's own CPU (ARM based), which add's more than a little punch to the MS Windows 8 announcement.

If Nvidia can successfully blend RISC architecture with some heavy duty CUDA core/shader pipelines it should make for a very interesting 2011-12 in the CPU/APU market. Assuming of course that parallelised optimized software comes to the party and existing x86 based software ports to the new design of course.

 

[red1776]

This announcement is roughly half the story I think. The other probably more significant part is the fact that Nvidia announced that it is building it's own CPU (ARM based), which add's more than a little punch to the MS Windows 8 announcement.

If Nvidia can successfully blend RISC architecture with some heavy duty CUDA core/shader pipelines it should make for a very interesting 2011-12 in the CPU/APU market. Assuming of course that parallelised optimized software comes to the party and existing x86 based software ports to the new design of course.

Wasn't there a story not long ago (and I thought an announcement from Jen-Hsun Huang that this project was dropped or on hold?

 

[dividebyzero]

I think that was for a GPGPU using an x86 instruction set emulator, which in turn stemmed from people connecting the dots when nvidia started hiring ex-Transmeta employees

This "Project Denver" ARM announcement is a complete change in direction. Rather than use an emulator (with its huge built in latency) and relying on x86 code entirely, nvidia (like TI, Qualcomm etc.) will now have big-time RISC compatible OS.

BTW : You did know that Microsoft itself has an ARM licence ? Implication being that Nvidia's Project Denver may be a joint project with Microsoft and/or Intel*.

Desktop applications may take a while depending upon how may cores the design scales to and how efficiently the parallelized pipelines can be integrated, but I think this news means that nvidia just announced that they aren't happy with only 90% of the HTC and ~88% of the workstation market (they could approach 100% marketshare in both if this comes to fruition), and would quite like to be a player in the ULV tablet/netbook/notebook market.

*Something I wouldn't write off since Intel and Nvidia seem to have come to an accord in an out of court settlement regarding Nvidia's suit. A certain satirical blogger posted that Intel are due to cut a cheque for $US1 billion to add to Nvidia's coffers. It wouldn't surprise me if a joint ARM (see what I did there!) initiative to counter AMD's Bobcat et al. is in the works. Intel have nothing presently in that space, and until Larrabee/Knight's Ferry becomes ready for primetime, has no market overlap with Nvidia.

 

[red1776]

I think that was for a GPGPU using an x86 instruction set emulator,

ah yes, that is what i had mixed up with this.

BTW : You did know that Microsoft itself has an ARM licence ?

I did, And I think they will flex that muscle for a couple of reasons
1) cant let apple get away with designing its own chip!
2) they realize that there is going to be an increasing amount of 'windowless' devices in the future.

***come to think of it, maybe they have already. The last I read was speculation on what direction , if any, to take it.

 

[dividebyzero]

I think your right on both counts.
Apple also seems to be moving away from nvidia fairly quickly and will likely start adopting AMD's Fusion APU's in short order since Apple has never been gamer or heavy-GPU orientated. In a massively over simplified conclusion I could well see Apple and AMD form a loose "partnership" (as much as Steve Jobs partners with anyone!) with Intel, Microsoft and Nvidia presenting a range of products to match in the various markets.
The big question will be time-to-market and whether everyones vision/ego can be accomodated *cough*Jen Hsun*cough

 

[red1776]

It wouldn't surprise me if a joint ARM (see what I did there!)

Very Mr Saturday Night BTW

I could well see Apple and AMD form a loose "partnership" (as much as Steve Jobs partners with anyone!)

...oh I dont know about that Chef, An ARM partnership with Apple could be a big RISC....
...see what i did there? ( I can here the boo's from NZ, and then from the NE)

okay it took a lot of setup, but I got there!:haha::wave:

 

[dividebyzero]

A+

(damn 10 character minimum!)

 

[Tha General]

They need to focus on win7 , instead of this crap about 8. but i don't care anyway, XP is still the best OS