This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this folio. Terms of utilise.

Microsoft'southward brief foray into ARM-based tablets running their own version of Windows debuted with the Surface RT and, after ane attempt to refresh the product (Surface ii), faded from view thereafter. Microsoft's mobile phones nevertheless run on ARM hardware, simply the company dropped its attempts to build a crossover device that would leverage ARM hardware and the familiar operating environs of the traditionally x86-based Windows. At present, however, rumors have surfaced the business firm might be preparing a new Os version — Windows Cloud — that'south non actually cloud-based at all.

Sharp-eyed users have spotted product definitions for a new "Windows Cloud" / "Windows Cloud Due north" (European version without a multimedia player packed in), and been speculating on what it might hateful for the hereafter of Windows. According to longtime Redmond watcher Mary J. Foley, the upcoming Windows Cloud isn't actually cloud-based at all. Instead, it's a simplified version of Windows that tin can only run applications from the Windows Store. This is conceptually similar to the Windows 8.ane with Bing SKU that Microsoft distributed as a depression-cost option to fend off Chromebooks, but it doesn't have anything to do with cloud-based options or features.

Surface RT, with Intel Inside

Surface RT wasn't bad, merely information technology suffered from incommunicable expectations and poor software compatibility.

Microsoft isn't publicly acknowledging Windows Cloud will be positioned confronting Chromebooks. But it's difficult to meet what else Microsoft would do with this type of OS variant. In fact, any motion of this sort volition need to be communicated and calibrated far better than Windows RT ever was. One of the biggest hurdles that version of the operating arrangement faced was that people bought it and brought it dwelling expecting information technology to run Windows applications — and information technology didn't.

In theory, plenty time has passed between 2022 and 2022 that the Windows Store would be much more than capable of providing the applications Microsoft users expected to find on their new tablets. Only the Store is and so unpopular, I'm not sure that'south true, fifty-fifty now. A Windows Deject OS could be extremely useful in certain markets where the device owner wants to offering a locked-down device with minimal features, but Redmond will need to make certain the devices don't air current up competing confronting standard Windows ten hardware. That kind of match-up doomed Surface RT and Surface 2, and it won't practise Windows Deject whatsoever favors, either.

Ane major difference between the old Windows RT software and the new Windows Shop, however, is that Win32 applications tin be distributed in the Windows Store. That alone could brand the difference — if the right vendors show up to provide application compatibility, and if Microsoft tin can make a pitch for the Os in the offset place.