News · 23 Jul 2010 · MTW Editorial Team
Microsoft is announcing today that it has signed a deal to license the ARM architecture allowing the company to design its own micro architecture around the ARM IP. Is Microsoft getting in the chip business like Qualcomm, Marvell, Apple? This announcement will surely fuel a lot of speculation about Microsoft future mobile strategy. The company claims that this deal will enhance its research and development around Arm-based products but other details about it are confidential. Full press release after the break:
Microsoft Licenses ARM Architecture
23 July 2010ARM and Microsoft continue relationship with closer access to ARM IP
CAMBRIDGE, UK – July 23, 2010 – ARM and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they have signed a new licensing agreement for the ARM® architecture. The agreement extends the collaborative relationship between the two companies. Since 1997 Microsoft and ARM have worked together on software and devices across the embedded, consumer and mobile spaces, enabling many companies to deliver user experiences on a broad portfolio of ARM-based products.“Microsoft is an important member of the ARM ecosystem, and has been for many years,” said Mike Muller, CTO ARM. “With this architecture license, Microsoft will be at the forefront of applying and working with ARM technology in concert with a broad range of businesses addressing multiple application areas.”
“ARM is an important partner for Microsoft and we deliver multiple operating systems on the company’s architecture, most notably Windows Embedded and Windows Phone,” said KD Hallman, general manager, Microsoft. “With closer access to the ARM technology we will be able to enhance our research and development activities for ARM-based products.”
ARM licenses processor IP under a flexible licensing model, enabling highly integrated solutions for a variety of applications ranging from mobile devices to home electronics and industrial products. ARM customers can license the ARM architecture or specific processor implementations.
Details of the agreement will remain confidential
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