Windows on ARM will pick up Project xCloud support soon

The Windows on ARM (or the "Always On, Always Connected PC", as Qualcomm would rather we think of it) platform is the OS in question optimized to run on the Snapdragon series of SoCs specially designed for this purpose. It represents a novel and potentially economical option for those looking at productivity or general-use PCs. Then again, it is perceived as rather restrictive compared to the typical PC experience on the same OS.

Qualcomm and Microsoft have announced a panel of tactics to address this situation. They mainly consist of opening support for the latter's cloud-gaming solution, Project xCloud. This may bring Windows on ARM more in line with the at least casual options open to most "normal" machines.

Furthermore, the 2 companies have revealed that the processors involved - the Snapdragon 7c, 8c, and 8cx chipsets - will also be capable of Microsoft Zoom Video soon. It is the Redmond firm's in-house form of video conferencing that can host up to 500 individuals in a single virtual meeting. Therefore, the ability to run it could be a productivity boon for Windows on ARM, especially considering the 8cx's recent repurposing as an SoC for business-focused PCs.

These new measures have been presented as part of the third day of the 2019 Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit. This meeting has also seen some other interesting developments such as the launch of the 865 mobile processing flagship, as well as the next generation of 5G-enabled SoCs for phones.