Microsoft Shows Off More of Windows on ARM and Office 15
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has revealed some more details about Windows on ARM (WOA) as well as Office 15. [1] Windows 8 will be the first version of Windows which will work on ARM processors too. Microsoft is targeting Windows 8 at a much larger market – desktops, notebooks and tablets – than Windows 7. By supporting the ARM architecture for Windows, Microsoft aims to capture significant market share in the tablet market which is currently dominated by Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android.
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Windows and Office are the two top revenue engines of Microsoft. Windows accounts for around 25% of Microsoft’s $32 Trefis price estimate while Office accounts for more than 30%. Our Trefis price estimate for Microsoft stands around 5% above the market price.
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Windows 8 on ARM
Microsoft has also confirmed that Windows on ARM devices will ship soon after the launch of Windows 8. It was earlier rumored that Windows on ARM will support only the Metro UI, not desktop mode, which could be a deal breaker for many users. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows on ARM will have a desktop mode too, but it will support only some apps like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote and Internet Explorer – not all desktop apps. Windows on ARM users will have to use Metro apps as there is no support for porting or emulating standard desktop apps.
Office 15
Microsoft also revealed the design and user interface for Office 15, the next version of the Office suite. While Office 15 does sport a cleaner design, it will be a desktop app only, not a Metro app. This is in line with our expectations as designing an Office 15 Metro app would have deviated from the general Office experience too much, negatively impacting its usability and feature set. Office 15 will also work on both X86 as well as ARM devices again targeting a much larger market. Office 15 is currently in the technical preview stage, is expected to be launched in early 2013.
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Notes:- Microsoft unveils Office 15 Metro design look and feel, The Verge [↩]