Together Microsoft and Intel have ruled the PC industry for a ridiculously long time, but with smartphone and tablet sales going through the roof, they now have a lot to think about. While both parties don’t seem entirely averse to venturing out of their longstanding relationship, Intel’s Android-compatible Medfield SoC and Microsoft’s ARM-friendly Windows RT OS seem little more than half-hearted attempts at being unfaithful. On Wednesday, however, a report that Intel CEO Paul Otellini had been heard criticizing Windows 8 in a recently held company meeting in Taiwan painted a slightly different picture.

A universal stylus capable of interacting with all kinds of displays, and not just touch-sensitive ones, is said to be in the works at Microsoft. According to the venerable MIT Technology Review, the said stylus has already won a lot of praise internally, with the decision of whether or not to move forward with its development now resting with the powers that be at the Redmond-based software giant.

Once abuzz with plenty of activity, the netbook segment wears a deserted look nowadays. PC vendors don’t seem to be interested in netbooks anymore and have turned their attention elsewhere. But Intel, despite its aggressive ultrabook push, still continues to view these diminutive devices as a “sustainable business.” Even though Cedar Trail hasn’t really set the world alight, the chipmaker doesn’t quite seem ready to give up on netbooks yet. Hit the jump for Intel’s future plans for netbooks.