Microsoft has revealed on their blog that the Window for the devices running on ARM chips or WOA will be based on Windows 8 code base which itself happens to be in developmental stage right now. Replication of some of the Windows design features like including desktop interface component will also be a part of the plan.

But at the same time, WOA will also be unique in many of its features like the need of system-on-a-chip design usage for the devices to use the platform.

“WOA enables creativity in PC design that, in combination with newly architected features of the OS, will bring to customers new no-compromise experiences,” Steven Sinofsky, the President of Windows & Windows Live Division wrote in the blog post.”

He also informed that the main aim behind the creation of WOA is to bring an entirely new class of PC featuring unique capabilities and form factors, and be supported by new set of partners to expand the Windows ecosystem.


Microsoft is expecting the shipping of the WOA PCs to be based on hardware platforms like Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments from ARM licensees to be shipped sometimes around the time when Windows 8 PCs for x86/64 processors from Intel and AMD will be shipped.

Just like Windows 8 PCs meant for the x86/64, the WOA devices will also be supporting the Metro-style applications created by Windows Store with the help of WinRT APIs. But, it is notable that WOA PCs won’t be running, emulating or porting the existing x86/64 desktop apps.

User will also get support for hardware-accelerated HTML5 with IE10 with WOA which will also be including desktop version of all the Office 15 apps (to be launched soon) that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, all of which will be especially designed for touch based interfaces and will be consuming minimum possible power.

Microsoft does admit that re-engineering of Office application to be used on the WOA hasn’t been an easy task but it was done so that the machine can be tagged as “no compromise” product, as written in their blog.


In the making of WOA PCs, Microsoft has to work closely with all their partners. “Every WOA PC is a new engineering effort that starts with the selection of components and continues through with firmware, drivers, final assembly, and unique apps from PC makers”, their blog further says.

You’ll find WOA PCs pre-installed with the operating system, drivers, and needed software. It is again noticeable that one won’t be able to purchase OS alone. One will be able to get the WOA fixes and applications through Microsoft Updates and Windows Store.

As Windows 8 beta is releasing sometimes by the end of this month, Microsoft is also looking forward to make their WOA PCs also available for test distribution, obviously to some of their developer and hardware partners and not to every common user.

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