Samsung Chooses Windows RT for Upcoming Tablets: Reports

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 Samsung Chooses Windows RT for Upcoming Tablets: Reports

After losing two back-to-back legal battles to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) over its operation system, Samsung is shying away from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android platform. The Korean electronics major is developing a tablet that runs on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows RT, as the company’s Android-based tablets and smartphones are in legal trouble over Apple’s patent infringement issues, sources told Bloomberg.

Windows RT, which runs on ARM technology, will be released in October, the people familiar with the matter told on condition of anonymity. Most of the mobile platforms including iOS and Android run on ARM processors which have recently become very popular due to their long battery lives.

The reports come soon after Samsung announced its plan to support Microsoft’s operating system Windows 8 in its all-in-one PCs and laptops. Windows RT will be the first computer OS from Microsoft stable that is specifically built for touch screen devices. Samsung’s Windows RT-based tablet will be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor.

Apple Inc. has sued Samsung in many countries, claiming that Samsung smartphones and tablets are blatant copies of iPhone and iPad. On June 29, a U.S. Court banned the US sales of Galaxy Nexus for infringing Apple’s patents. However, the ban was lifted temporarily after Samsung appealed to the court. In another patent case by Apple, Galaxy Tab 10.1 has also been banned from sales in the US. Therefore Samsung has planned to launch an upgraded version of Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the US.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) and Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) are also planning to launch tablets running on Windows RT in the fourth quarter this year, according to Digitimes. Both the American companies will be using QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM)  andTexas Instruments Incorporated (NASDAQ:TXN)  processors. Other companies following the same route are Toshiba, Lenovo and Asustek.

Currently, Apple leads the global tablet market with 58 percent market share. It shipped 11.8 million units in the first quarter of 2012. Samsung is the second largest tablet maker with 11 percent market share. Amazon is ranked third with 5.8 percent.

This is a good sign for Microsoft, as the software PC giant attempts to make inroads into the tablet and smartphone market. Time will tell whether the attempts will be successful or not.

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