Microsoft makes Windows 10 Mobile suitable for smartphones with Intel socs

Microsoft has given Windows 10 Mobile support for x86 processors. This clears the way for smartphones with Windows 10 based on Intel processors. The rumors about this have been going on for years now.

Until now, Microsoft only supported ARM processors in Windows Phone since versions 7 and Windows 10, mainly socs from Qualcomm. However, a support page on Microsoft’s site now explicitly lists x86 processors as a supported platform on Windows 10 Mobile. PCWorld has been informed that it is not a bug and that the operating system does support x86 processors.

With x86 processors, it will theoretically be possible to make a smartphone that supports regular desktop programs based on Win32 in Continuum mode. Continuum, a way to use a smartphone in combination with a screen, keyboard and mouse as a desktop, has so far been limited to apps from the Windows Store that support the feature, but Microsoft said it was already looking at supporting Win32. programs in Continuum. Continuum works on three devices so far: the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and Acer Liquid Jade Primo.

The rumors about Microsoft-made smartphones with Intel processors have been going on for years, but until now all Lumias had Qualcomm socs. Rumors have also been circulating for months about a Windows smartphone made by the team working on Surface tablets. That device would internally bear the name Panos Phone, after Panos Panay, one of the driving forces behind Microsoft’s Surface line. That device should appear in the fall.