WINDOWS 8 FOR ARM-PROCESSORS COMING TO DEVELOPERS

At CES earlier this month, Microsoft showed off Windows 8 running on ARM-based tablets. Windows 8 is the first version of the Microsoft OS compatible with ARM-based processors. It won’t be available to public until the second half of this year, but CNET reports that an early version of the OS for ARM will be available to developers in February.

Windows 8 for ARM features Microsoft’s new Metro-style user interface with a large start screen. It is designed for touchscreen devices. Most Metro apps are designed to run in the full screen mode. Unfortunately Windows apps designed for computers with x86 processors won’t run on Windows 8 for ARM-processors. However, future versions of Microsoft Office and other important software should run on Windows 8 for ARM. And Microsoft has already invited developers to write apps for the new OS.