Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will preview its Windows operating system designed for tablet computers in demonstrations planned for next week, according to three people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
The company will showcase the software’s touch-screen interface running on hardware with an Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) Tegra chip, said the people, who declined to be identified because the plans are confidential. Windows President Steven Sinofsky is scheduled to present at the All Things D conference, while Vice President Steve Guggenheimer will address the Computex show in Taipei.
Microsoft is rushing to adapt Windows to better support devices that can compete with Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPad, which dominates the tablet market. The new operating system won’t be out until next year, people familiar with the plans said in March. Still, the company is eager to show it is moving forward, seeking to generate demand among computer makers and chip suppliers.
Nvidia’s Tegra microprocessor is based on the ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) technology that dominates the smartphone market. ARM-based chips are also used in the iPad and tablets that run Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android operating system.
Mark Martin, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined to comment. The company’s shares rose 48 cents, or 2 percent, to $24.67 at 4 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Nvidia gained 46 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $18.82.
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said earlier this week that machines with the new operating system, which he referred to as Windows 8, would be released in 2012.
URL : http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/microsoft-is-said-to-plan-preview-of-windows-software-for-tablet-computers.html
