ARM devices will run Windows 8 desktop apps, but only those customised by Microsoft
Given this is the first time Microsoft has attempt to bring Windows to devices equipped with ARM processors, there was always likely to be a few technical bumps in the road.
In recent weeks, concern has mounted as to what version of Windows 8 will make an appearance on such devices, with some claiming the 'legacy' desktop OS largely similar to Windows 7 and the apps it supports will be dropped, leaving users with just the Metro-based opening UI.
In response, Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky has taken to the firm's blog to claim devices shipping with Windows 8 won't be restricted to the Metro platform.
Rather, the version of Windows 8 tailored for ARM's processors will be backed up by a Microsoft Office-equipped legacy mode.
Significantly, though, it will be out of bounds to apps from third parties.
Windows of opportunity
"Windows on ARM, or WOA, is a new member of the Windows family that builds on the foundation of Windows, has a very high degree of commonality and very significant shared code with Windows 8, and will be developed for, sold, and supported as a part of the largest computing ecosystem in the world," offers Sinofsky on the blog.
"WOA can support all new Metro-style apps, including apps from Microsoft for mail, calendaring, contacts, photos, and storage. WOA also includes industry-leading support for hardware-accelerated HTML5 with Internet Explorer 10."
There are, however, notable difference between WOA for tablets and Windows 8 on other devices.
"WOA is designed so that customers focused on Metro-style apps dont need to spend time in the desktop. Some have suggested we might remove the desktop from WOA in an effort to be pure, to break from the past, or to be more simplistic or expeditious in our approach.
"To us, giving up something useful that has little cost to customers was a compromise that we didnt want to see in the evolution of PCs. The presence of different models is part of every platform."
Split consumer base
Nonetheless, while aesthetically WOA will look and run largely identical to other versions of Windows 8, the legacy apps it supports will be determined by Microsoft.
Developers looking to write apps for WOA tablets will, instead, have to serve them up for the Metro UI.
In truth, this is no real surprise: the whole point of the new Windows 8 start screen is to deliver an app-happy experience, similar to that delivered on Windows Phone, while the legacy OS is mainly pitched at standard PCs - for users looking for traditional functionality, such as word processing.
"The new Office applications for WOA have been significantly architected for both touch and minimised power/resource consumption," concludes Sinosfky.
"This creates a WOA PC with the full power of apps, media consumption, entertainment, mobility, and productivity in one place - a true no-compromise experience."
[source: Microsoft]