Card refuses to swipe. It's got swipe fatigue
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Intel invokes Linux to calm fears of Windows 8 on ARM
CHIPSHOP Intel has spoken of its support for Linux-based operating systems to quell fears that Microsoft's support of ARM chips will nullify its competitive advantage over rivals.
Renée James, SVP and GM of Intel's software and services group spent some time on Intel's well publicised relationship with Microsoft, saying that there will be several Windows 7 tablets running on Intel hardware tipping up by year's end. James also mentioned that Intel has been working hand-in-hand with Microsoft to develop Windows 8 for system-on-chip (SoC) and standard PCs.
However James spent a lot longer promoting Linux-based alternatives and went further by saying that Intel got into the Linux game early, and he noted that the firm is a "key definer of Linux evolution". James also mentioned that Intel is the second biggest contributor to Linux kernel development. Remember, this is Linux, the software that was likened to cancer by Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer.
So while a few analysts seem to be worried about Intel's health following Microsoft's launch of Windows 8 with ARM architecture support, Intel's own forecasts show that Microsoft's operating system market share will be on the slide.
James displayed projections for the server market that show Linux adoption slowly eating into Microsoft's market share and she made even bolder statements, claiming that most datacenters run Linux, that open source software leads the high performance computing market and that most embedded devices, such as smartphones, run Linux.
James mentioned that Intel has been working with Google to get Android deployed on its x86 chips. She said that Android 2.3 Gingerbread has already been deployed, with the firm currently optimising Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and that Intel based Android devices will be appearing in stores by the end of the year. James also mentioned that Intel has been working with Google to get its Linux-based Chrome OS running on its chips.
Intel touted its Wind River Linux distribution for embedded systems and its Yocto open source project. There was even time to mention Meego, the operating system that Nokia dumped in favour of Microsoft's Windows Phone. James said that tablets running Meego will appear in the second half of 2011 and Intel is working with Orange and Samsung among others to get smartphones out, although she did not mention a release date.
Microsoft's decision to support the ARM architecture is likely to help it more than harm Intel. The popularity of Google's Android has shown that consumers are willing to have Linux running on consumer embedded devices, so the challenge for Intel isn't supporting software, but to make a chip that can run well in smartphones and tablets and deliver respectable battery life.
Judging by James' presentation, Intel might still have a good relationship with Microsoft but the company believes that Linux-based operating systems are a better long term bet. µ
Tags: Intel
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The truth is client OS is becoming a non argument. The only thing that makes OS matter is the amount of software and services available to it. to have the .net framework available natively on these devices will be a big deal since it is a standards compliant framework and has alot of libraries to support it.
I can hardly wait until Microsoft bricks the 300 or so ARM devices that they will ever sell, as they apply their first patch.
I used to think that Intel was the one company in cahoots with Microsoft that Microsoft hadn't screwed over.
Well, now Intel can add themselves to the list of Microsoft's other "business-partner" casualties. All Microsoft ultimately cares about is Microsoft.
I used to think they also cared primarily about money, but it seems that after awhile at the Microsoft helm, their CEOs all wax semi-philanthropic (Gates with his "gifts" of Windows PCs and temporary MS software licenses, and now Ballmer with his gifting of $6 billion over the market price to Skype).
Well, as usual - Intel speaks.
But the words are begging to be backed up by works. Sadly, this is not the case.
Windriver linux - well, linux in general is free, Windriver linux is not, so it is just as good as M$. We also keep in memory Poulsbo joke. I still have 5 netbooks, that I struggle to keep working well in linux. If that is what Intel has planned, let me pass...
Joe: "LOL! Good luck Intel trying to survive with Linux, the 1% market share OS(at least in the consumer market)."
You might want to update your talking points: Android is effectively Linux and it certainly has more than 1% of where the "consumer" market is going. Meanwhile, Linux has a lot more than 1% of the server market where Intel dominates.
LOL indeed: with your "analysis" you could sell quite a few tickets to people who want a good laugh, but then they'd probably want some material they didn't already hear back in 1999.
I'm interested to see how many of these apps that people use as their excuse not to learn anything and stay with the expensive painful old familiar will make it across to ARM :-)
LOL! Good luck Intel trying to survive with Linux, the 1% market share OS(at least in the consumer market).
As for Android on x86, who the hell would want that? Nobody with any sense. Android on x86 is laughable.
Dang intel, that must have been a sour grape to swallow. ;)
"However Jones spent a lot longer promoting Linux-based alternatives and went further by saying that Intel got into the Linux game early, and he noted that the firm is a "key definer of Linux evolution"."
Just two corrections in this single sentence:
1) It's James, not Jones
2) Renée James is a she, not a he.
I'm also surprised you haven't covered Otellini's comments from yesterdays investor call where he claims that the partnership with Nokia "was a mistake".
The only reason microsoft is releasing windows 8 for arm is because they have no confidence that intel will be delivering a competitive platform by the time it's released and they don't want to be shut out of the market.
intel can say whatever it wants. Ultimately if intel has a winner it can run android and windows 8, but if it doesn't, microsoft is covering their bases.
I looked long and hard at getting an eee pad transformer (android 3 tablet/with keyboard dock). But i ended up with a bobcat netbook instead. I have lots of windows apps I'd rather be able to use...
I think it'll be alot easier for people to recompile windows apps for arm then it will be to rewrite them for android/iphone.
Great, Intel!
Now, since you claim to contribut that much with linux, tell us where is the GMA500 driver for Linux.
2 years and we are still waiting...