Microsoft licenses ARM architecture

[cbn]

http://www.arm.com/about/newsroom/microsoft-licenses-arm-architecture.php

CAMBRIDGE, UK – July 23, 2010 – ARM and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they have signed a new licensing agreement for the ARM® architecture. The agreement extends the collaborative relationship between the two companies. Since 1997 Microsoft and ARM have worked together on software and devices across the embedded, consumer and mobile spaces, enabling many companies to deliver user experiences on a broad portfolio of ARM-based products.

“Microsoft is an important member of the ARM ecosystem, and has been for many years,” said Mike Muller, CTO ARM. “With this architecture license, Microsoft will be at the forefront of applying and working with ARM technology in concert with a broad range of businesses addressing multiple application areas.”

“ARM is an important partner for Microsoft and we deliver multiple operating systems on the company’s architecture, most notably Windows Embedded and Windows Phone,” said KD Hallman, general manager, Microsoft. “With closer access to the ARM technology we will be able to enhance our research and development activities for ARM-based products.”

ARM licenses processor IP under a flexible licensing model, enabling highly integrated solutions for a variety of applications ranging from mobile devices to home electronics and industrial products. ARM customers can license the ARM architecture or specific processor implementations.

Details of the agreement will remain confidential.

A Microsoft house smart phone or Tablet? If so who will be the graphics chip supplier? Imagination Technologies, ATI or Nvidia?

 

[IntelUser2000]

I'm putting my bet for IMG on graphics if they ever make ARM hardware solution.

Smartphone or Tablet? Could go either way. Maybe even a PSP/DS competitor?

 

[cbn]

I'm putting my bet for IMG on graphics if they ever make ARM hardware solution.

Smartphone or Tablet? Could go either way. Maybe even a PSP/DS competitor?

What does "IMG" stand for?

 

[IntelUser2000]

What does "IMG" stand for?

Why, none other than "Imagination Technologies" my dear.

 

[cbn]

Why, none other than "Imagination Technologies" my dear.

http://www.bullbearings.co.uk/stock.research.php?epic=IMG

Ahh...the stock market abbreviation for the company.

 

[Modelworks]

Just a renewal of the old license. They have been running windows on ARM for years.

 

[stevech]

Just a renewal of the old license. They have been running windows on ARM for years.

Excluding Windows Mobile, any other ARM examples?

 

[Cogman]

Not news. Most likely it is so they can release the 7phone, or something along those lines. I double we will see a microsoft PC.

 

[Idontcare]

I understand why everyone looks to ARM as the low-power mobile architecture and thusly views microsofts licensing as pertaining to such markets...but what of their console (and mobile gaming platform) aspirations? Sony has their PSP...what has microsoft?

 

[TheFlyingSquirrel]

i can see it happening for something mobile whether it's a phone or psp/ds competitor

 

[Soleron]

I understand why everyone looks to ARM as the low-power mobile architecture and thusly views microsofts licensing as pertaining to such markets...but what of their console (and mobile gaming platform) aspirations? Sony has their PSP...what has microsoft?

The 3DS looks more formidable than the DS as competition. It has everything the DS had going for it, plus the broadest first and third party lineup I've ever seen on a console, graphics good enough so Sony/MS can't be in another league like DS/PSP was, tens of genuine (unsolicited) third party endorsements, and Sony/MS don't have the lead-console advantage that allowed Sony to push the PSP using the PS2's dominance.

If I was a decision maker I wouldn't even attempt to go up against it. The PSP's software sales were/are very poor and I don't see how a successor console or MS attempt could do better.

 

[Idontcare]

The 3DS looks more formidable than the DS as competition. It has everything the DS had going for it, plus the broadest first and third party lineup I've ever seen on a console, graphics good enough so Sony/MS can't be in another league like DS/PSP was, tens of genuine (unsolicited) third party endorsements, and Sony/MS don't have the lead-console advantage that allowed Sony to push the PSP using the PS2's dominance.

If I was a decision maker I wouldn't even attempt to go up against it. The PSP's software sales were/are very poor and I don't see how a successor console or MS attempt could do better.

I don't know your professional background so forgive me of stating the following if it finds you insulting, but personally I must admit this is the similar line of reasoning I found myself using when arguing against the rumors and speculation that Microsoft was going to enter the console market in the first place.

The subsequent release of XBOX was rather embarrassing evidence that ran contrary to my logic and reason of such being folly and fool's errand.

I'm not about to rule out the possibility of MS pursuing Sony and Nintendo into the handheld mobile market. The market exists, what reasoning do Microsoft's executive decision makers give their board members for failing to pursue this marketspace? Give it a year, keep an open mind, I'm not asking myself of anything more either.