Windows ARM Development

Mozilla product director says Firefox on Window RT 'probably not worth it'

Computerworld - A Mozilla product director yesterday said that unless Microsoft allows other browser makers to call important APIs in Windows RT, it is "probably not worth it to even bother" building a version of Firefox for the new operating system.

Firefox on Windows Metro on ARM

Windows on ARM Windows 8 Metro is a beautiful computing environment. Unfortunately, it's very limited when it comes to certain kinds of raw power that we're all used from the last couple of decades of Windows operating systems. Metro and the WinRT APIs that power it are great for games and simple apps, and they provide developers with the tools to make those apps stunningly beautiful, but they lack the kind of power needed to drive sophisticated programs like Web browsers and office productivity applications.

Windows RT Blocks Other Browsers, Mozilla Says

Windows on ARM An attorney at Mozilla, which makes the Firefox Web browser, contended that Microsoft restricts browser choice on Windows RT (formerly known as "Windows 8 on ARM"), effectively moving the company into antitrust territory.

Metro style apps and the Win32 API

There's been a bit of discussion about the difference between "desktop apps" and "Metro style apps" on Windows 8, particularly as it pertains to Windows RT (previously Windows on ARM), which currently isn't going to allow third party development of desktop apps. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that you can use native C++ code in a Metro style app.

Qualcomm developing quad-core ARM chip for Windows 8 laptops

Windows on ARM Chip-maker Qualcomm makes low power processors for smartphones and tablets. A few years ago the company also wanted to see its chips in small laptop-like devices it called smartbooks, but that form factor never took off. That could change when Windows 8 hits the streets later this year.

Managing WOA

With the recent news that Windows On ARM isn't going to support Active Directory, the question that immediately came up was "So if this is an enterprise tablet, how will I manage it?" It turns out that while Microsoft hasn't explicitly given us an answer, it's given us enough pointers that we can put together a credible device management scenario for WOA.

NVIDIA Tegra 3 to power some Windows 8 ARM test PCs

Windows on ARM We've already reported that Qualcomm and Microsoft are teaming up to provide PCs to developers for the testing of the ARM version of Windows 8. Now it looks like NVIDIA is also joining in. In a press release from the company, NVIDIA said it will also offer its ARM-based processors to help power some Windows 8 ARM test PCs that Microsoft will send to developers and hardware partners.

No domain membership or enterprise management for Windows 8 on ARM

As Microsoft released the Windows 8 Consumer Preview today, it also published a product guide for business users of the operating system. In the guide, it was revealed that the ARM-based version of Windows 8 will lack some of the management features available to the version running on PCs—a limitation that may make the mobile version of the operating system a little less attractive to large enterprises out of the gate.

Qualcomm and Microsoft to Provide Developers with Snapdragon-Based Windows on ARM Test PCs

BARCELONA, Spain – February 29, 2012 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its Snapdragon™ processor will be joining Microsoft Corp.’s Windows on ARM developer seeding program. Qualcomm is working with Microsoft to provide test PCs to select developers in order to test and optimize apps for forthcoming Snapdragon-powered Windows on ARM PCs and tablets.

Microsoft plans Windows 8 ARM presentation at Mobile World Congress

Windows on ARM Perhaps the biggest addition out of the many new features in Windows 8 is its new ARM-based flavor, which Microsoft is calling Windows 8 WOA. They don't want anyone to forget it, either: they've planned a showcase event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where the tech world is currently checking out the latest and greatest in smartphones and tablets... running on ARM. The press conference is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon local time, putting it between 6AM (PST) and 9AM (EST) in the United States.