At least two operating systems companies are working on mobile desktop converge: Microsoft with Windows 10 Continuum and Canonical with Ubuntu, Mir and Unity 8. There are still software and hardware challenges ahead, but I envision that in a couple of years my smartphone will also be my Ubuntu powered computer. But so far it looks like Microsoft might be ahead, as jointly with Acer they announced and demo Windows 10 Continuum on Jade Primo smartphone.
The smartphone itself is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, with a 5.5″ AMOLED display, and 21MP & 8 MP cameras. I could not find details about RAM and storage. When the phone is connected to a dock via its micro USB to HDMI (MHL) cable, it pairs with Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and you can simply use Windows 10 just like on a real computer running Office, browsing the web and so on, while still having access to your smartphone to answer calls and other tasks. You can see the demo shown at IFA 2015 below. (Sound volume is low…)
That’s pretty impressive, although a smartphone is likely to perform slower than a larger computer for more demanding tasks due to the challenge of dissipating heat. Another issue, which should be resolved over time,. is that only Universal Windows Apps on such device, while older Windows program developed only for x86 processors won’t run until they’ve been ported.
Acer did not disclose pricing nor availability information.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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