Poor Windows RT has had something of an odd life. A product of the old, more fragmented Microsoft, it is a closed version of Windows designed for ARM processors that doesn’t play nice with anything else. Perhaps it was this, or perhaps it was the lack of hardware available, but the platform did not achieve anything like the uptake that Redmond hoped for, leading to large losses and an uncertain future for the software.
This uncertainty has been especially prominent with the much publicized hype around Windows 10. Microsoft would have very little to lose if it abandoned RT, leading many to assume that this would indeed be the case and the platform would die a quiet death. As such, news that it intends not only to keep the platform running, but to breathe new life into it, comes as something of a surprise.
In a statement given to technology site CNET, Microsoft said,
“We are working on an update for [the Windows RT version of] Surface, which will have some of the functionality of Windows 10. More information to come.”
Beyond this, nothing was offered. Nonetheless, the news that Windows RT will not forever be stuck in an awkward limbo is no doubt a surprise for those who bought into the platform. Although quality hardware is indeed available, especially from the software giant itself, a high price point, little developer attention and an inability to run legacy apps continues to plague users. Hopefully this new update will give them a reason to fall in love with their hardware all over again, though given the paucity of detail provided, it is unsure whether this will be the case.
It is clear that, with everything riding on the success of Windows 10 as a unified platform, Microsoft is pulling out all of the stops to ensure that it gains as much positive press as possible before release.
Are you a Windows RT user? Does this news excite you? Let us know in the comments below.
