American science and technology information web site CNET senior reporter Jay · GMT (Jay Greene) articles on Thursday, Microsoft will Windows pointed out that as the "Switzerland saber" to meet everyone’s operation needs; But apple its operating system as a fine products, dedicated to meet the needs of specific populations, the two companies strategy is very different.
Very different
This week, Microsoft in Build developers conference revealed the upcoming release of Windows and the details of the operating system. In fact, the software giant has to tablet computer era of operation way puts forward his own ideas, and this idea and rival apple’s ideas are completely different.
Apple thinks, consumer can be engaged in the specific task of fine high-end equipment STH, this also is the apple Mac operating system and the steady iPad using light operating system reason, the former with computer aided design application processing operation of heavy task, the latter in surfing the Internet and read ebooks.
But this is not one of us are looking for Microsoft. Microsoft thinks, consumer need is omnipotent operation system, can carry in ultra-thin tablet computer from to high end game system, etc all kinds of equipment on top. The operating system is Windows. Wells Fargo analyst Jason Maynard (Jason Maynard) said: "Microsoft’s strategy is to PC operating systems used in tablet computer, and apple is exactly the opposite. Sometimes, your hand is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
Maynard doesn’t think Microsoft’s strategy is to recommend it. The company is in the strength of the display it. After all, the world more than 1 billion PC carrying Windows system. Analysts estimate, Windows 8 listed-is most likely in the late next year, most will have 400 million PC using of the new operating system. In Build on congress, Microsoft spare no effort to developers describe Windows 8 market potential, hoping to attract them to Windows 8 develop new applications.
Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Windows business department President Steven snow, kabalevsky (Steven Sinofsky) Build on Tuesday in the conference theme to the speech 5000 developers say: "Windows will bring you the opportunity of the development of application. These applications will run on all Windows 8 of the new system carrying desktop PC, laptop, Windows tablet computer, etc all kinds of Windows PC, whether new PC, or Windows 7 upgrade edition. When this product release, global users may reach 400 million. This to the everyone the opportunity."
Faces a challenge
But, because Windows 8 faces all sorts of challenges, developers initially will only develop some simple application, in order to make full use of Windows 8 touch type Metro user interface advantages. And only developers believe hardware manufacturers association launched strong product design, encourage users will Windows 8 as the support of the tablet computer operating system, rather than to simply use the PC operating system, they would devote yourself for Windows 8 application development.
This just is Microsoft and hardware manufacturers, to ensure that the Windows 8 can be run in ARM chips the cause of the above. ARM of system (SOC) architecture means, the equipment itself may be lighter and more thin, which runs on Windows 8 system of ultra-thin, some more attractive tablet computer create conditions. But these ARM chips can not run the old Windows application, unless the program design personnel do to them further improvement.
This means that pick up Windows 8 ARM tablet computer won’t have complete reverse compatible function, it, pick up Windows system to bring some of the tablet computer advantage will disappear. The old application will still can run to use AMD and Intel x86 framework of Windows 8 computers. But the structure of hardware configuration request higher, that is, the device itself may eventually thicker and heavier.
With these more heavy equipment processing traditional operation problem is not big, but if the task to see ebook on your lap, it doesn’t comfortable. To be fair, this conclusion is likely to be. In Windows 8 and pick up all kinds of equipment of Windows 8 issued a formal, Microsoft and its partners before and at least a year to solve this problem. They have realized that these challenges.
The Swiss army knife
Qualcomm is one of the important partners of Microsoft, are now working to give Windows 8 optimization ARM Snapdragon chips, and also devote a great deal of manpower and material resources, to help developers will find old application into this new platform method, but the company is very clear, it not simply solve all these problems.
Qualcomm chipsets business department software competent Steve Horton (Steve Horton) said: "our focus on top at applications, they can solve most 90% of high-end users are faced with the problem. But if you use Quicken in 99, it may be in trouble." Also, AMD is also in active measures to help partners of the thinnest equipment development, for the processing and most extensive application.
AMD client product Marketing Department senior manager gabriel · gelafu discovers better (Gabe Gravning) said: "the x86 framework of lighter and more thin equipment sure will usher in a chance. The market is headed in that direction." This is also betting on Microsoft Windows 8 reasons. Microsoft will Windows as a "Swiss army knife", can satisfy the need of each of the operation. Microsoft Windows 8 to borrow to prove a fact that the current market led by apple product concept has drawbacks.