Just what is Windows RT, anyway? (FAQ)

Microsoft has a super-secret announcement coming on Monday, and it may well be a tablet running Windows RT. Here's what we know so far about the mostly-Metro, ARM-powered variation of Windows 8.

 

Windows 8 almost ready to serve

What in the world is Windows RT?

Coming off of our previous coverage, you may have heard about Windows 8 and Windows RT as being different. While Microsoft has made a point of cutting down on the number of Windows 8 versions available when compared to previous Windows releases, the company is also making a limited Windows 8 version to run on ARM processors called Windows RT (WinRT).

What does "RT" stand for?
"RT" is an abbreviation of Windows Runtime, the technical term for the engine that powers the new Metro apps. It's not the first Windows Runtime. The term "runtime" refers to the collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow developers to write software that can interact with the hardware and each other.

What is Metro?
Metro is the new user interface for Windows 8. Instead of icons, there are "tiles" that can surface information from the app in real-time.

So, what is WinRT?
Basically, WinRT is the Metro side of Windows 8. But it does more than implement the Metro interface, it also simplifies much of the programming for Windows developers. Coding for Metro is significantly easier than writing a program for Windows 7 and earlier. This is important for Microsoft because they can now point to Windows 8 as an attractive place for developers to ply their trade.

What's the difference between Windows 8 and WinRT?
There are several notable differences, and they could cause WinRT to fail while Windows 8 succeeds. Microsoft has produced a chart of the differences between Windows 8 and Window RT, but here are the highlights:

• WinRT will only work on ARM-powered devices


• WinRT will have a Desktop mode, but it will be restricted to pre-installed, Microsoft-produced software. This will include touch-optimized versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.


• WinRT will come with device encryption


• Neither old nor new x86/x64 programs will work on WinRT


• 
  
  
  

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  What kind of apps can WinRT run?
  The focus of Metro apps will be on Internet-connected, cloud synchronization, and responsiveness. If it works in Windows 8 Metro, it will work on WinRT.

  
  

  Will I be able to update an old ARM-powered device with WinRT?
  No. At this point, WinRT will only be available pre-installed. That's not expected to change, either.

  
  

  What's the benefit of ARM?
  ARM processors power virtually all iOS,Android, and other mobile devices on the market. It's gained so much traction in large part because of its better battery management.

  
  

  Are there any other drawbacks to WinRT?
  There's a couple that stand out so far that we haven't mentioned yet.



• There are certain core APIs that Microsoft is restricting access to in WinRT that are available in full Windows 8. This has caused much consternation among browser vendors, and has raised fears that Microsoft is attempting to cut off browser innovation by locking down WinRT the way that Apple has locked down iOS.


• The OEM license for WinRT is expected to be in the $80 range, so it's likely that WinRT devices will be notably more expensive than their Android-powered counterparts.


• While we've seen some hardware specs for standard Windows 8 devices, includingtablets, we haven't seen any confirmed specs for a single WinRT tablet. That doesn't bode well for manufacturer confidence.


• There doesn't seem to be a way to visually distinguish a WinRT tablet from a Windows 8 tablet, which could lead to buyer confusion, to put it mildly.


• 
  

  Windows RT remains the biggest gamble that Microsoft is taking with Windows 8 because it's cutting itself off from legacy Windows. Sure, there's a free version of Office included, and that may draw some people in on its own. There's scant evidence from consumers or manufacturers that they're interested in this version of Windows 8, but it could also position Microsoft for future growth in a way that limiting itself to Intel chips can't.

Microsoft seems to be excluding HTC from Windows

With falling stock price, decreasing sales, and Microsoft said to be shutting it out of Windows device manufacturing, things aren't looking to hot for HTC right now.

Windows RT tablets will use the Metro interface.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft is rumored to be edging HTC out of its next version of Windows software, according to Bloomberg. The reason being that the software giant is uneasy about HTC selling enough products or having enough experience making tablets.

This doesn't bode well for HTC's revenue outlook. According to Bloomberg, HTC's second-quarter sales forecast looks to be decreased by 13 percent. On top of that the company's stock has dropped 68 percent in the last year and it is failing on coming close to competing with Apple or Samsung in software or device manufacturing.

"Every consumer knows about Samsung's Galaxy platform and the iPhone, and you are starting to see consumers coalesce around them," Avian Securities analyst Matthew Thornton told Bloomberg yesterday after he cut his rating on HTC to negative. "Things just get worse from here. It's a very bleak outlook."

CNET reported last month that only a handful of Windows RT devices will appear at first with chipmakers Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments initially getting two "slots" each for devices.

"ARM is restricted to two designs each, meaning six total initial designs," one source told CNET last month, referring to the chip design from U.K.-based ARM that those three suppliers use. Windows RT, or Windows on ARM, will be the first mainstream, desktop-class Windows operating system to run on ARM chips.

Related stories

• Apple files yet another patent complaint against HTC


• HTC's U.S. customs delays push Q2 outlook lower


• HTC One X available online today, in stores June 10Though final product decisions have not been made in some cases, they could be a tablet, a hybrid tablet-laptop, or a more conventional clamshell laptop design.

According to Bloomberg, HTC engineers vied to build a Windows device that would have a customized home screen typical of its other devices but Microsoft refused. However, some sources told Bloomberg that HTC still might release a Windows device in the second round of products that are scheduled to be coming out next year.

Asus, Acer, Toshiba to unveil Windows 8, RT tablets

Asus, Acer, Toshiba to unveil Windows 8, RT tablets | Business Tech - CNET News CNET News Home Reviews Cell Phones Camcorders Digital Cameras Laptops TVs Car Tech Forums Appliances Cell Phone Accessories Components Desktops E-book Readers Games and Gear GPS Hard Drives & Storage Headphones Home Audio Home Video Internet Access Monitors MP3 Players Networking and Wi-Fi Peripherals Printers Software Tablets Web Hosting You are here: News Latest News Mobile Startups Cutting Edge Internet & Media Security & Privacy Business Tech Crave Apple Microsoft Politics & Law Tech Culture Blogs Video Photos RSS Download Windows Software Mac Software iOS Apps Android Apps The Download Blog CNET TV Products Tech Shows How To Most Popular New Releases How To Computers Home Theater Smartphones Tablets Web Marketplace Today's Deals Exclusive Deals Coupon Codes Marketplace Blog Log In | Join Facebook Timeline options Log In Join CNET Sign in with Facebook Timeline options My profile Log out .mad_center {text-align:center;} .mad_center div, .mad_center table, .mad_center iframe, .mad_center a img {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}ie8 fix # .fifpre, # .fifpost {display:block;} # .adHolder div, # .adHolder table, # .adHolder iframe, # .adHolder a img {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} # .adHolder {text-align:center;}

CNET News Business Tech Asus, Acer, Toshiba to unveil Windows 8, RT tablets Windows tablets from Asus and Toshiba at Computex should tell us more about the progress of Windows RT.

by Brooke Crothers May 31, 2012 11:42 PM PDT Follow @mbrookec A Texas Instruments-based Windows RT tablet. To date, all Windows tablets running on ARM chips have been behind glass.

(Credit:Brooke Crothers)

Asus, Acer, and Toshiba will roll out a mix oftablets based on both Windows 8 and Windows RT at the hardware-centric Computex trade show next week, according to Bloomberg.

Windows 8 will run on chips from Intel, while Windows RT is powered by ARMchips from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments.

Related storiesWindows RT devices will see limited release initiallyIntel Windows 8 tablets to hit retail stores in NovemberIntel's 'Clover Trail' to pair up with Windows 8 for tabletsIntel's Windows 8 tablet: Checklist goes public

OneAsus tablet uses an Nvidia chip, according to Bloomberg. CNET reported earlier in the month that Asus and Lenovo are expected to bring out Windows RT tablets built around Nvidia Tegra 3 chips.

A Windows RT-based Toshiba tablet is using Texas Instruments' silicon, according to Bloomberg.

This jibes with what sources have told CNET. Only a handful of Windows RT devices will be released initially from vendors such as Asus, Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo, and possibly Hewlett-Packard, as Microsoft wades slowly into new Windows waters. Windows RT is the first mainstream desktop-class Microsoft OS to run on ARM processors.

One of the burning questions is whether conference goers will actually be able to use the devices. To date, Windows RT tablets displayed at trade shows and conferences have been inaccessible -- always encased in glass.

Acer, meanwhile, will show a Windows 8 device running on top of an Intel chip, according to Bloomberg. And Asus will show off a second device based on an Intel chip.

Separately, here's (below) an Asus teaser that appears to be showing a device that runs both Windows andAndroid.

Topics: Processors, Desktop software Tags: Nvidia, tablet, Windows RT, Asus, Texas Instruments, Intel, Windows 8, ARM, Toshiba, Qualcomm Brooke Crothers Brooke Crothers writes about small devices and the hardware inside. He has served as editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

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Peliculas Online

Asus, Acer, Toshiba to unveil Windows 8, RT tablets

Windows tablets from Asus and Toshiba at Computex should tell us more about the progress of Windows RT.

May 31, 2012 11:42 PM PDT

A Texas Instruments-based Windows RT tablet. To date, all Windows tablets running on ARM chips have been behind glass.

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

Asus, Acer, and Toshiba will out a mix of tablets based on both Windows 8 and Windows RT at the hardware-centric Computex trade show next week, according to Bloomberg.

Windows 8 will run on chips from Intel, while Windows RT is powered by ARM chips from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments.

One Asus tablet uses an Nvidia chip, according to Bloomberg. CNET reported earlier in the month that Asus and Lenovo are expected to bring out Windows RT tablets built around Nvidia Tegra 3 chips.

A Windows RT-based Toshiba tablet is using Texas Instruments' silicon, according to Bloomberg.

This jibes with what sources have told CNET. Only a handful of Windows RT devices will be released initially from vendors such as Asus, Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo, and possibly Hewlett-Packard, as Microsoft wades slowly into new Windows waters. Windows RT is the first mainstream desktop-class Microsoft OS to run on ARM processors.

One of the burning questions is whether conference goers will actually be able to use the devices. To date, Windows RT tablets displayed at trade shows and conferences have been inaccessible -- always encased in glass.

Acer, meanwhile, will show a Windows 8 device running on top an Intel chip, according to Bloomberg. And Asus will show off a second device based on an Intel chip.

Peliculas Online