Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) is providing chips for new devices from
Dell Inc. (DELL) and Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY, 005930.SE)
that run Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows RT operating system,
people familiar with the matter said.
The newest version of Windows, to be released in October, will
be the first to work with chips based on the ARM Holdings PLC
(ARMH, ARM.LN) architecture, not just those from traditional
partners Intel Corp. (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD).
Microsoft and system makers are turning to makers of ARM-based
chips--used in most smartphones and tablets--to make inroads
against Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPad, which continues to dominate the
market.
Both Dell and Samsung are working on tablets that run on
Qualcomm's application processors, people familiar with the matter
said. The Dell product is a notebook that converts to a tablet, one
of the people said. Other details weren't immediately known.
Microsoft and its hardware partners have said products will be
unveiled as the market approaches the Windows 8 and Windows RT
launch.
Qualcomm dominates the smartphone market, but it has had some
setbacks with Windows RT. PC giant Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) was
working with Qualcomm on a Windows RT device, but it said in June
that it had set aside immediate plans for the new technology.
Instead, H-P said it would focus on Intel-powered tablets for
business users. And Microsoft chose to use processors from Nvidia
Corp. (NVDA) when it created its self-branded tablet, dubbed
Surface.
Some PC makers have privately complained about the lack of
software and other aspects of adopting Windows RT, including the
question of consumer demand for the product. Adding to the
challenges for companies considering Windows RT is Microsoft's push
to make its own hardware. The Surface announcement is believed to
have surprised and angered computer makers, which now face the
prospect of competing with their software partner.
Microsoft on Monday provided some new details about the
development of devices that use Windows RT including discussing
which PC makers are working on tablets. The company has limited the
number of computer designers who could work with chip makers for an
initial release of Windows RT tablets. Nvidia has been working with
Asustek Computer Inc. (ASUUY, 2357.TW) and Lenovo Group Ltd.
(LNVGY, 0992.HK), according to people familiar with the matter.
The final Windows RT chip supplier, Texas Instruments Inc.
(TXN), has been working with Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY, 6502.TO) on
Windows RT devices, with the two earlier this year demonstrating a
tablet. Questions about the device emerged following Microsoft's
blog post Monday that left Toshiba off the list of Windows RT
tablet partners.
A Toshiba spokesman said the company plans to release a
statement later Monday. TI, meanwhile, said its Windows RT
development and collaboration with Microsoft are "still going
strong."
Write to Shara Tibken at shara.tibken@dowjones.com
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