Intel invokes Linux to calm fears of Windows 8 on ARM

Intel spoke of its support for Linux-based operating systems to quell fears
that Microsoft's support of ARM chips will nullify its competitive advantage
over rivals.
Renee James, SVP and GM of Intel's software and services group spent some
time on Intel's well publicised relationship with Microsoft, saying that
there will be several Windows 7 tablets running on Intel hardware tipping up
by year's end. James also mentioned that Intel has been working hand-in-hand
with Microsoft to develop Windows 8 for system-on-chip (SoC) and standard
PCs.
However Jones spent a lot longer promoting Linux-based alternatives and went
further by saying that Intel got into the Linux game early, and he noted
that the firm is a "key definer of Linux evolution". James also mentioned
that Intel is the second biggest contributor to Linux kernel development.
Remember, this is Linux, the software that was likened to cancer by
Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer.
So while a few analysts seem to be worried about Intel's health following
Microsoft's launch of Windows 8 with ARM architecture support, Intel's own
forecasts show that Microsoft's operating system market share will be on the
slide. Jones displayed projections for the server market that show Linux
adoption slowly eating into Microsoft's market share and he made even bolder
statements, claiming that most datacenters run Linux, that open source
software leads the high performance computing market and that most embedded
devices, such as smartphones, run Linux.
Jones mentioned that Intel has been working with Google to get Android
deployed on its x86 chips. Jones said that Android 2.3 Gingerbread has
already been deployed, with the firm currently optimising Android 3.0
Honeycomb, and that Intel based Android devices will be appearing in stores
by the end of the year. Jones also mentioned that Intel has been working
with Google to get its Linux-based Chrome OS running on its chips.
Intel touted its Wind River Linux distribution for embedded systems and its
Yocto open source project. There was even time to mention Meego, the
operating system that Nokia dumped in favour of Microsoft's Windows Phone.
Jones said that tablets running Meego will appear in the second half of 2011
and Intel is working with Orange and Samsung among others to get smartphones
out, although he did not mention a release date.
Microsoft's decision to support the ARM architecture is likely to help it
more than harm Intel. The popularity of Google's Android has shown that
consumers are willing to have Linux running on consumer embedded devices, so
the challenge for Intel isn't supporting software, but to make a chip that
can run well in smartphones and tablets and deliver respectable battery
life.
Judging by Jones' presentation, Intel might still have a good relationship
with Microsoft but the company believes that Linux-based operating systems
are a better long term bet.