Microsoft’s next version of Windows, dubbed Windows 8, is going to ship later this year; probably in October. There are going to be two versions of the OS, one called Windows 8 that runs on traditional x86 machines, and another called Windows RT that runs on the ARM architecture. Whereas anyone can go out and buy Windows 8 and slap it on a computer, Windows RT is like Windows Phone, in that Microsoft picks and chooses who gets to use the software and who doesn’t. ASUS is going to launch a Windows RT tablet, so is Acer, and we’re probably going to see some stuff from Samsung, Lenovo, and HP, but what about handset makers?
According to a report from Bloomberg, HTC wanted to make a Windows RT tablet, but Microsoft told them no. Why? Because HTC supposedly doesn’t have enough experience in the tablet space. Strange, what about the HTC Flyer, the HTC Jetstream, and the mostly forgotten HTC Shift (pictured above)? We already have confirmation from Nokia that they’re working on a tablet, and we’d argue they have way less experience in the tablet space compared to HTC.
Just yesterday we reported that HTC revised their sales targets, dropping them by 13%. This decision by Microsoft to exclude them from getting a chance to compete in the tablet market will do even more damage to their bottom line. Is Microsoft trying to punish them for building so many Android devices? We can’t think of a better explanation.
But back to Windows RT, there’s a lot we don’t know yet, so we’re a bit hesitant to judge the OS. One thing is certain: The next version of Windows is going to confuse a heck of a lot of people. It’s such a departure from traditional Windows that it’s going to force people to consider whether or not they should keep on using Microsoft software, and that’s scary.