Microsoft Windows 10 Update: Latest Qualcomm Partnership Could Lead To New Generation Of Windows 10 Mobile Devices, A Second Mobile Chance For Microsoft
ByMicrosoft's early attempts to get into the highly lucrative smartphone market have always been a disastrous one. But the software giant is somehow still not quite done with its Windows Mobile business, it's still looking for a second chance. Fortunately, that day has finally come for Microsoft in a form of business partnership with one of the industry's leading mobile chipmaker, Qualcomm.
Microsoft this week announced that it is paving the way for easier and much faster Windows 10 operating system on smartphones with the new support from Qualcomm's industry's leading Snapdragon ARM processors. The mobile partnership, which announced at the WinHEC hardware developer conference in China, could lead to new products running Microsoft Windows 10 OS and more third party mobile apps, according to Wall Street Journal.
The partnership will also encourage hardware makers to build lightweight Windows devices that, unlike most of the today's mobile devices, have cellular built-in. This means that device owners will be able to connect to network smartphone-style, without adding any additional hardware or software. Microsoft also added that the devices will offer longer battery life than most of the today's laptops and notebooks.
Enable A New Generation Of Windows 10 Mobile Devices
In a recent Microsoft blog post, Microsoft Windows and Devices Group chief Terry Myerson said that the new Snapdragon-powered collaboration with Qualcomm is aimed at meeting its customers' growing needs to create a Windows users on the go. Using Qualcomm's ARM chips, Microsoft hopes to enable a new generation of Windows 10-native mobile devices.
A Second Chance For Microsoft Windows Mobile Business
The Redmond-based company had first targeted the mobile computing market in late 2002, with ARM-based devices running Windows RT. However, Microsoft's early attempts have failed to gain traction among consumers and the enterprise world. As a result of its misfortune, production of Windows RT-based devices like the Surface 2 tablets have been stopped, and by 2015, the Windows RT-based devices have officially come to an end.
According to some analysts, Windows on ARM should open up new and lower-cost mobile PC market for Microsoft. An ARM processor is said to be much cheaper as its materials cost less than that of the high-end Intel's x86' processors. This development would enable Microsoft to reach out to the fast-growing emerging market.
Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm said that the first mobile devices running Windows 10 on its processors would be available in the second half of 2017. Qualcomm also announced that its next-generation mobile processor, the Snapdragon 835, will start shipping in devices in the first half of 2017.