Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile
    • Networking
    • PC Hardware

    Windows Tablets Need Tweaks to Become Apple iPad Threat: Analyst

    By
    Nicholas Kolakowski
    -
    January 13, 2011
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      The next version of Windows will run on ARM-based systems, Microsoft announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and in theory that could squeeze the operating system onto smaller and lighter form-factors. But according to at least one analyst, Microsoft will also need to make some fundamental changes to Windows’ software if it wants to compete against Apple’s iOS and Google Android for a chunk of the tablet market.

      “I think they will likely be successful in replacing some PC notebooks and netbooks, so they will bash it out with Android tablets fighting for spare money in consumer pockets for second or third devices,” Al Hilwa, an analyst with research firm IDC, wrote in a Jan. 13 e-mail to eWEEK. “But these devices will not seriously challenge the iPad because they lack its user interface fluidity and simplicity and the content portfolio, and make different compromises on weight and battery life.”

      Microsoft announced Jan. 5 that the next version of Windows will support SoC (system-on-a-chip) architecture, in particular ARM-based systems from partners such as Qualcomm, Nvidia Corp. and Texas Instruments. Windows currently dominates the x86 platform used by traditional PCs, but the rise of increasingly powerful mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, largely powered by ARM chip designs, has created both a growing opportunity and a threat for the decades-old operating system franchise.

      “To have a viable media tablet on Windows, Microsoft needs a year or two of software surgery on it,” Hilwa wrote, “including a more touch-tailored UI, better battery life and boot-time, less-disruptive OS updates, and hardware support for smartphone-like proximity, orientation, movement, direction and location awareness.”

      At least on a hardware level, though, Microsoft seems to be preparing to take the battle to smaller form factors. During a Jan. 5 press conference, Windows and Windows Live Division President Steven Sinofsky demonstrated Windows running on native ARM architecture with little evident slowdown. However, Sinofsky also suggested that Microsoft’s engineers would have some issues to work through with regard to the new architecture, and that “x86 programs don’t run on ARM.”

      Nonetheless, ARM could be an essential part of Windows’ future.

      “This is a big but necessary bet by Microsoft, which is effectively being forced to engage in self-inflicted disruption around the PC market,” Hilwa added. “Many think this is too little, too late, and I do think Microsoft will be well-served by simpler tablets based on [Windows Phone 7] as well, but in the long run, Microsoft has to evolve the PC.”

      Microsoft’s booth at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) featured a handful of tablets running Windows 7, but these seemed largely devoted to the Asian market. During his Jan. 5 keynote, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took pains to emphasize Windows laptops with touch-screen functionality and smaller form factors, but never made the big tablet announcement that some in the media had been expecting.

      Nicholas Kolakowski
      Nicholas Kolakowski is a staff editor at eWEEK, covering Microsoft and other companies in the enterprise space, as well as evolving technology such as tablet PCs. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, Playboy, WebMD, AARP the Magazine, AutoWeek, Washington City Paper, Trader Monthly, and Private Air. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×