2010 Microsoft, in addition to the field of anti-piracy tossing out some sound, has almost always been ubiquitous Google, Apple's products suppress the sound. The continuation of the past 20 years the basic mode of cooperation with Wintel software giant, has simply become a marginal.But now, giant finally move beyond this model has taken a key step.
The day before yesterday, the global mobile phone giant ARM processor architecture that it has signed with Microsoft, a new strategic agreement will authorize the company to its core processor architecture. Also stressed that the agreement "extends the partnership between the two companies." Co-kept secret: Microsoft's R & D chip or by authorized
ARM CTO Mike Muller stressed that Microsoft is a partner of ARM than a decade, this authorization will allow Microsoft's applications and development "at the forefront," and covering multiple market segments.
"We will improve the ARM architecture-based product research and development initiative." Distributed in the official newspaper
of the information ARM, Microsoft general manager of KD Hallman says.But the agreement were not disclosed more details. Microsoft China, an official who declined comment . ARM China, who is on
the "First Financial Daily "said that the specific content of the agreement, ARM world's only" three individuals "have the right to the external stresses. But he stressed that the new cooperation, ARM, Microsoft, are essential.
How such an agreement mysterious? To know that 13 years ago, Microsoft and ARM in the embedded program already, consumer electronics and mobile business had cooperation. Currently, many smart phone Windows Mobile also has a mobile processor based on ARM architecture.
Informed sources, Microsoft is about 10 million U.S. dollars to get the ARM the license agreement includes structure and instruction set, greatly expanded the scope of Microsoft's use of ARM technology.The source said that this type of authorization, the world did not several, which allows customers to design their own ARM microprocessor. The company will mainly develop smart phones, tablet computers, notebook in particular consumer electronics market.
Before Microsoft had never beyond smart phones in general, and the ARM processor in the PC-level official to achieve cooperation in the field. "Microsoft certainly does not rule out the possibility to design the processor itself." The official stressed. Reporter carefully reviewed Microsoft's strategic planning over the years the hardware business information. In fact, several years ago, it began planning for the hardware platform, operating system, initially the main focus on optimizing their own, then extended
to peripherals, home entertainment. In 2006, it is the establishment of a "PC architecture group", target Microsoft's headquarters in Silicon Valley research lab, and Institute of Development, including chips, including hardware platforms, to expand more consumer electronics business. Clearly, access to hardware development, has been a long time plot. Wintel camp: unstoppable disintegration
On the ARM, if the market in notebook processors break Microsoft system, which penetrate each other with Intel, the competition site, an important bargaining chip to get. This action may be more significant for Microsoft. Only, it must first prepare for Wintel alliance partners Intel's anger. Over the years, Microsoft's attitude on the processor giant has been cautious, careful pace out of Union.
Let us look at an example of a game between the two sides. In 2009, when Microsoft officially released Windows 7 before the external global executives have said the company expected to support operating systems other than Intel processors, such as ARM architecture. This will cover more consumer electronics products. But the pressure from Intel to force Microsoft executives denied his final argument. Up to now, Windows 7 is still not clear for the ARM open.
However, in April this year, Microsoft platforms and services for one, the system kernel expert Makelaxi Norwich, announced that the company is developing an ARM-based operating system. Microsoft can not give up cooperation with Intel. But the software giant has its own difficulties, which is considered Internet market lonely people. Google, Apple on behalf of the emerging power of the Internet industry have made it embarrassing for a long time.
Google seized the Linux open source trends, its operating system has to occupy many of the world Adroid smart phone and tablet PC market share. Reflected in China, based on Adroid phones, tablet PCs have become Shenzhen Huaqiang ( 000,062 , stock it ) North, Beijing Zhongguancun ( 000,931 , stock it ) and other main IT distribution market. Lenovo recently announced music
phone, Gome own brand Tablet PC, all using the Google system, Acer, Dell, and more access to the enterprise, are urgently introduced Google Notebook. Relatively Windows, Adroid software camp although not perfect, but the zero-cost advantage to attract a large number of machine companies to follow, which no longer have to be the Microsoft of gas.
Apple is a hardware platform with semi-closed, open software ecosystem collapse of Microsoft, Intel-led wintel system has become a mobile Internet era the industry to emulate the hero. Currently, Apple is based on the ARM processor architecture, developed their own independent processor program. iPad with iPhone 4, Apple has to spend his own design A4 chip. It is reported that in the future, Apple will use it to launch TV products.
Up to now, in addition to the smartphone market has cooperation with ARM, the XBOX console co-operation with IBM, Microsoft more then stick to the Wintel market system and still use the purchase of way to get Intel Technology.The Intel Atom platform technology bottlenecks, Microsoft system requirements on the hardware configuration is too high, leading to the camp has been criticized in the mobile Internet market.
In fact, in this area, Intel and Microsoft have also complained about each other. Intel's return to smart phones, tablet PC market, efforts are already subject to Microsoft's operating system features complex. Prior to Intel simply developed their own Linux system Moblin, after it merged Moblin system with Nokia, has set up a named Meego's Industry Alliance, which means that the new market segments, Intel also has begun to faithless .
Both sides are aware about the future of the long road together for love, they give each other move beyond the Wintel system, it seems more and more able to tolerate. The continuation of 20 years, once very strong cooperation in camp, are breaking down.
