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Microsoft is doing something incredibly bold this year. They’re launching three new operating systems. Two of them you’ve already heard about, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The third is one that’s set to confuse consumers all around the world, Windows RT. What is it? It’s Windows 8, but made to run on ARM compatible processors. What does that mean? You’ll be able to use it like a Windows 8 machine, except for one key difference. You aren’t going to be able to run “traditional” applications. By “traditional” we mean applications that today run on Windows 7. That’s right, Windows RT is going to launch this year with what’s essentially zero applications. Normally that would be a bad thing, but this is Microsoft we’re talking about here. They own the PC space, which means there are plenty of developers who will support Windows RT without asking any questions.
Now as for today’s news, Bloomberg is saying that Samsung is going to launch a Windows RT tablet this October. Said tablet will be powered by a Qualcomm chip. Why is this tablet important? Because as far as we can tell, this is the only Windows RT tablet that we’ve heard about that isn’t made by Microsoft. In case you haven’t heard, last month Microsoft introduced two tablets, Surface and Surface Pro. The latter runs Windows 8 and has an Intel chip inside, the former runs Windows RT. Since Microsoft decided to enter the PC space with Surface, rumor has it that companies have decided not to make Windows RT tablets, which would make this as yet to be announced Samsung tablet all the more interesting.
Anyway, all you need to know is that in Q4 2012 you’re going to get flooded with advertisements telling you to buy a new computer, a new tablet, and a new smartphone. We’ll make sense of all those devices once they’re actually out. For now, just sit back and wait three months.
About The Author
Stefan Constantinescu
Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.
