Microsoft license ARM chip tech

Chipset designer ARM has announced that Microsoft is licensing its architecture, signifying a greater interest on the part of the software giant into the processors that power its Windows Phone 7smartphone platform. While no details as to the financial terms of the deal have been made public, according to Microsoft general manager KD Hallman, ”with closer access to the ARM technology we will be able to enhance our research and development activities for ARM-based products.”

That not only encompasses Windows Phone 7 but some devices running Windows 7 Embedded as well; the latter OS is being positioned as ideally suited to tablets and smartbook-style products, though recently Microsoft has seen brands like ASUS abscond to platforms like Android. Microsoft and ARM have apparently been working closely since 1997, but this new agreement could allow Microsoft to produce their own ARM-based CPU similar to how Apple has struck out on its own with the Apple A4 that powers the iPad and iPhone 4.

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