Microsoft's Windows RT signals shift to mobile computing, says Qualcomm

BERLIN: SOFTWARE FIRM Microsoft's upcoming Windows RT operaing system signals a shift to mobile computing and marks the beginning of the end for the PC era, according to chip maker Qualcomm.

Qualcomm's COO Steve Mollenkopf claims that in the future, all devices will run using mobile operating systems. He cited the upcoming Microsoft Windows RT operating system as support for his claim.

"In Windows RT we're seeing a blend of the smartphone world with the PC world... a move from legacy computing to mobile computing," said Mollenkopf.

The Qualcomm executive claimed that in the future the majority of devices will also have intelligent recommendation features, like Google Now on Android.

"We imagine that in the future all of our devices will be connected together. Our phone will be a remote for life, controlling everything we do," said Mollenkopf.

"Mobile will grow outside of phones. Phones at the moment don't do everything we think they will, in fact, in the future phones will start to anticipate what you need... they'll have a digital sixth sense."

Mollenkopf claimed that the feature will do this using geographical and contextual data to create intelligent alerts for users.

"They're going to learn a lot about your life to help you out. They'll have contextual awareness, looking at what's going on around you," he explained.

The new wave of super intelligent smartphones will have wider implications for industries like advertising, helping companies use smart devices to create campaigns tailored to the individual, Mollenkopf predicted.

"By looking at the data and filtering it, smartphones will become a more efficient advertising platform," he said.

Windows RT is one of three new operating systems set to be released by Microsoft in October. Microsoft is also set to release its Windows 8 PC operating system and the Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system along with Windows RT. µ

This article was originally published on V3.