Microsoft confirms UEFI fears, locks down ARM devices

Software Freedom Law Center ^ | 12 January 2012 | Aaron Williamson

[ShadowAce]

[mamelukesabre]

They like the way things are going with the xbox and want what apple has with the iphone and ipad. Why doesn’t anyone complain about the iphone and ipad locking people out of choices?

[ClearCase_guy]

Microsoft declaring war on Linux? If your PC can operate Windows 8, then it cannot operate Linux?

This will be interesting.

[Red_Devil 232]

Yep since the U.S. Military just switched over to Linux to control their UAVs because of the virus they were infested with using Windows.

[FatherofFive]

Why doesn’t anyone complain about the iphone and ipad locking people out of choices?

Exactly. I do a lot of work developing business solutions using Excel and VBA. Nothing else will work. Apple's copy of Excel doesn't support VBA.

[HangnJudge]

“Microsoft’s philosophy is to provide customers
with the best experience first,
and allow them to make decisions themselves.”

Why doesn’t anyone complain about the iphone and ipad
locking people out of choices?

People vote with their checkbooks
If you don't like it, don't buy the things
The vast majority of users just want a box that works
Some like to tinker, this is good also,
but the majority don't.

Apple has been a niche player for a long time
They have been very successful at this.
They also, in their boxes,
have been open to other operating systems

The iPad and iPhone are SOC systems
System on Chip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A4
so the system is on the chip, and is a hardware feature

[null and void]

Better is the enemy of good.

Microsoft is the enemy of ______?

[null and void]

Why doesn’t anyone complain about the iphone and ipad locking people out of choices?

"That's an unfair comparison. People like the Apple."

(Early Apple ad)

[null and void]

DOS isn’t done until Lotus won’t run.

[discostu]

No. ARM devices are phones and pads. PCs are still intel architected.

[null and void]

How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today

You will laugh, citizen.

(See what's happening to North Koreans who didn't mourn well enough for the reason you will laugh openly and with such great enthusiasm)...

[sportutegrl]

Microsoft doesn't control sufficient market share on mobile devices to raise antitrust concerns.

Lotus 1 2 3, Wordperfect, and Netscape Navigator were unavailable for comment.

[mamelukesabre]

If they can make BIOS that is changeable, they can make SOC changeable also.

[Sudetenland]

No. You didn’t bother to read what the article said.

[Sudetenland]

"Why doesn’t anyone complain about the iphone and ipad locking people out of choices?"

Exactly! MS is doing nothing that Apple hasn't been doing for decades.

[mamelukesabre]

ARM or something like it will move into PCs. It is inevitable. You can only miniaturize components of an ATX form factor machine so far before it becomes pointless. And without relentless miniaturization, the computer industry will die. CPU, GPU and BIOS will merge. Eventually RAM and solid state hard drives will be incorporated too.

[null and void]

Interesting. My iMac runs windows just fine.

[discostu]

No it won’t. There’s no need for miniaturization in PCs, they’re 99% air. Even in laptops owing to the necessity of usable keyboards and readable screen they don’t need to get much smaller than they already have. Portable stuff needs things to shrink, non-portable or semi-portable has already hit the size it needs.

[DarkWaters]

GPU only to an extent (lower end users). Mid to Higher end systems will still rely on GPU’s that have the power and flexibility for demanding jobs and even games.