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ARM and Microsoft Carry On,
but What is New?
| Jul 26, 2010 | Mobile Device Silicon
| Analysts: Ron Westfall, Jeff Ogle
Event Summary
July 23, 2010 - ARM and Microsoft announced the signing of a new licensing agreement for the ARM architecture. The agreement extends the existing agreement between the two companies. Since 1997 Microsoft and ARM have worked together to deliver user experiences on a broad range of ARM-based products. Microsoft’s most important contribution is its Windows Embedded and Windows Phone operating systems embedded in the ARM architecture. Details of the agreement will remain confidential.
Quick Take
Analytical Summary
• Current Perspective: Negative on ARM and Microsoft’s extending their longstanding relationship by jointly revealing a new long-term strategic agreement that gives Microsoft closer access to ARM IP and the framework to enhance its own operating system development efforts within the ARM architecture. While the nature of the announcement is perfunctory due to confidentiality convents, it does nothing to indicate how the new licensing agreement yields a competitive advancement over the longstanding prior relationship or how Microsoft improves the competitive prospects of the Windows Embedded/Windows Phone technology against rival mobile OS technologies.
• Vendor Importance: High to both ARM and Microsoft as both companies needed to reassure the mobile silicon community that their ongoing strategic relationship will extend indefinitely into the future. This gives customers of both vendors’ assurances that product support for the joint development activities will be available for years to come.
• Market Impact: Moderate on the mobile device silicon market since ARM and Microsoft have already worked together for many years and the new strategic agreement will not oblige distinct competitive responses, especially from Microsoft mobile OS rivals who already wield expanded IP arrangements with ARM, due in large part to the increased complexity and costs associated with new and future mobile device SoC designs.
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Competitive Positives and Concerns
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