NVIDIA公司確認進入 CPU的市場首款產品宣布

http://tech.weiphone.com/2011-01-06/NVIDIA_confirmed_into_the_CPU_market_228919.shtml

The Future of Windows Isn't Just PCs Anymore

The next version of Windows is going to run on ARM processors—the same kind of chips that's inside a bajillion smartphones and tablets right now. Which means the future of Windows isn't just PCs anymore.

What does this mean?

Well, most simply, it means the full Windows shebang you know and love (or loathe) from your PC can now run on tinier computers that use way less power—ones using ARM chips that are common in smartphones right now. Think tablets. And other wacky, smaller form factors. But you know, with all-day battery life.

Microsoft showed how this new Windows, running on an ARM chip that you might find inside a cutting edge Android tablet can slice and dice full HD video, run Powerpoint and do fancy graphics tricks in Internet Explorer with no problem. Microsoft even said it'll have full DirectX powers for games. Basically, everything you'd expect to do in Windows. But now in lots more places.

What Microsoft didn't talk about is what this new Windows will look like when it's on these new tablets and sliders and other fantastical permutations of PCs. Presumably, it'll look different. Somehow. Hopefully. Or when it'll come out. They also won't say what it's called.

So all of my Windows apps will just work on this new, mobiler Windows?

Ehhh. Microsoft wouldn't say how or if it would happen, but ominously, Head Windows Dude Sinofsky noted "It's definitely the case that x86 programs [i.e., the ones on Windows now] don't run on ARM." And to get those running, Microsoft won't be using "virtualization or something like that," since the low-power ARM chips aren't really suited for that kind of work. Which means either Microsoft has another trick up its sleeve (hopefully) to run current programs on this new, ARMier Windows. Or it's not going to happen. But that seems to defeat the point of porting Windows to ARM, in some ways.

Another point is that devices won't just work either—-manufacturers are gonna have to write new drivers for 'em.

Is regular old Windows going away?

Nope. It'll run on old-school x86 chips from Intel and AMD and the like. It'll just run on these ARM chips too. How Microsoft is going to differentiate them, from the branding to the interface to the features, we don't know yet. Microsoft is very much emphasizing that this is just a "tech demo" to show that they have Windows running on ARM chips right now.

Does that mean the sweet Windows Phone OS won't be on a tablet?

Probably not. The Microsoft philosophy is, "Small screen is windows phone. These screens are Windows 7." So the future of tablets (and other things with slightly-bigger-than-phone screens) for Microsoft is very much still Windows. Conversely, it means for the future of Windows isn't just PCs anymore. Though we're not exactly sure what that means yet. [Microsoft]

(gizmodo)

Microsoft shows Windows running on mobile phone chips

Steven Sinofsky says Microsoft wants to end the compromises people have to make when using portable gadgets

Microsoft has shown a full version of Windows running on chips usually found in mobile phones.

The desktop version of Windows was demonstrated working with three processors built around chips designed by UK firm Arm.

The demonstration is significant because before now Windows has been closely connected with Intel chips.

Microsoft would not be drawn on when the first products using these chips would go on sale.

As well as running Windows, Microsoft also showed the work it was doing to get applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Internet Explorer running on Arm chips.

Microsoft was doing the work to get a full version of Windows running on mobile chips in a bid to end the compromises people typically have to make when using portable gadgets, said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live division during the demo.

Also, he said, turning to Arm designed chips should mean lower power consumption and much improved battery life for future gadgets.

About 80% of all mobiles, including Apple's iPhone4, are built around chips made from Arm designs.

During its demonstration, Microsoft showed Windows running natively on chips made by Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia.

Microsoft has a mobile version of Windows, known as Windows Phone 7, that already runs on Arm-designed chips. But, said Mr Sinofsky, Windows Phone 7 was aimed at smaller devices and the full version would be for larger tablets, slates and netbooks.

Mr Sinofsky would not say which version of Windows was running on its demonstration devices. He would only say that it was the "next generation of Windows". Many took this to be a reference to Windows 8, which is due in 2012 and is expected to support multi-touch interfaces - capabilities missing from Windows 7.

He also refused to speculate when the first Arm-powered devices running the full version of Windows would appear.

"We've got the chip work done and now we start talking to partners about what kind of devices we can make," he said.

Microsoft was also continuing its work with long-time partners Intel and AMD to get Windows working on the low-power processors they were producing.

The demonstration came during a briefing at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas held prior to the formal opening of the show. Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer will give the opening keynote and is expected to expand on the firm's plans for Windows on Arm.

(BBC News)

Report: Microsoft bringing Windows to ARM chips

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20026344-75.html?tag=topStories2