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posted by on Saturday June 10 2017, @04:03PM   Printer-friendly
from the patently-ridiculous dept.

Intel may be planning to sue Microsoft for its plans to include x86 emulation in Windows 10 for ARM machines:

In celebrating the x86 architecture's 39th birthday yesterday—the 8086 processor first came to market on June 8, 1978—Intel took the rather uncelebratory step of threatening any company working on x86 emulator technology.

[...] The post doesn't name any names, but it's not too hard to figure out who it's likely to be aimed at: Microsoft, perhaps with a hint of Qualcomm. Later in the year, companies including Asus, HP, and Lenovo will be releasing Windows laptops using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor. This is not the first time that Windows has been released on ARM processors—Microsoft's first attempt to bring Windows to ARM was the ill-fated Windows 8-era Windows RT in 2012—but this time around there's a key difference. Windows RT systems could not run any x86 applications. Windows 10 for ARM machines, however, will include a software-based x86 emulator that will provide compatibility with most or all 32-bit x86 applications.

This compatibility makes these ARM-based machines a threat to Intel in a way that Windows RT never was; if WinARM can run Wintel software but still offer lower prices, better battery life, lower weight, or similar, Intel's dominance of the laptop space is no longer assured. The implication of Intel's post is that the chip giant isn't just going to be relying on technology to secure its position in this space, but the legal system, too.

Also at ZDNet and CRN.


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  • (Score: 2) by tekk on Saturday June 10 2017, @09:41PM (1 child)

    by tekk (5704) Subscriber Badge on Saturday June 10 2017, @09:41PM (#523605)

    Why is MS working with Qualcomm, a hardware company, to make use of software emulation? I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being some sort of weird hybrid.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 11 2017, @06:01AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 11 2017, @06:01AM (#523707)

    QCOM is a *HUGE* portion of the phone market. MS wants back in. They actually have been working together for years all the way back to the WinCE days.

    Intel will have a pretty large problem with emulation and patents. They let they sit for to long at this point. They basically may have just let it slide too long. QCOM will not let that go down without a fight. QCOM has some pretty good lawyers and their own set of patents. My bet is Intel is wanting to make their costs cheaper. QCOM charges a premium for their stuff. Hence Intel's saber rattling. MS is also not without expertise and emulation in the court. They bought the company that beat Sony and the same company that is at the core of their emulation. Watch for a settlement and Intel gets a better price.