We’ve heard that Microsoft’s next operating system, codename Windows Threshold but expected to be called Windows 9, will come in two varieties. One for the desktop and traditional notebook users and another for tablet, smartphone and hybrid device users. Today we are hearing more details about the tablet/smartphone version. Apparently Microsoft will merge the tablet and smartphone kernel together a create a unified OS called Windows OneCore, or the “One Microsoft” OS. The information was leaked through a Microsoft careers listing and on a Microsoft employee’s CV.
“The XAML team is building the UI framework at the core of the ‘One Microsoft’ OS. Our framework is used by hundreds of thousands of developers, including many teams at Microsoft. Our goal is to provide the best modern UI framework, which is integral to the success of our platform and ecosystem. Our charter includes: Enabling developers to create UI that works well across all of our devices: phones, tablets, PCs, and the Xbox.” Reads the Career page listing.
If true the OneCore certainly makes sense: by unifying the OS needed for tablets, smartphones, the Xbox and PCs Microsoft can make its offerings more developer friendly. We are not sure how the OneCore will interact with the traditional desktop and notebook spaces, or whether OneCore only applies to the mobile platform space. We’ll have to wait and see if any more details emerge but given Microsoft’s rebranding on SkyDrive to OneDrive and the release of the Xbox One the “OneCore” and “OneOS” monikers make sense. I think the obvious challenge will be how Microsoft can cater for both ARM and traditional AMD/Intel/VIA x86 CPU designs if they do unify all platforms.
Source: Softpedia
Image courtesy of PCBeta
