Microsoft to Intel: You're Wrong about Windows 8

Posted 05/19/2011 at 7:38am | by Paul Lilly

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Intel senior VP Renee James may have rode into town a little high on her horse yesterday when she revealed details about Windows 8, details that were apparently "misleading." James spoke of there being multiple versions of Windows 8, four of which will be aimed at ARM. According to James, ARM, unlike Intel, will not be able to run legacy apps. Microsoft's response? Shut your face, Intel (we're paraphrasing).

According to James, Microsoft plans to release a traditional version of Windows 8 designed to run on x86 platforms. This version will come with a Windows 7 mode to ensure backwards compatibility with legacy apps. But on the ARM platform, James said each of the four Windows SKUs will be aimed at specific ARM SoCs, none of whch will be forward or backward compatible, or even compatible across different vendors.

Her comments prompted Microsoft to step in and defend its new BFF, who according to Business Insider had this to say:

"Intel’s statements during yesterday’s Intel Investor Meeting about Microsoft’s plans for the next version of Windows were factually inaccurate and unfortunately misleading. From the first demonstrations of Windows on SoC, we have been clear about our goals and have emphasized that we are at the technology demonstration stage. As such, we have no further details or information at this time."

Curiously missing from Microsoft's rebuttal is an explanation of which comments it found misleading, whether it was the bit about legacy apps or multiple versions of Windows 8 for separate ARM SoCs. But the most important message might be the one that's between the lines, the one that says Microsoft isn't afraid to call out the world's largest chip maker.

Image Credit: compixels.com