14 DAY TRIAL // Redmond-based software giant Microsoft is reportedly planning an increase of the licensing fees of the OEM version of its Windows 8 platform.
Apparently, the company is not happy with the current fees that manufacturers interested in releasing devices running under Windows have to pay, and it plans on making a series of adjustments to them.
Moreover, Taiwan-based supply chain makers, cited by DigiTimes, claim that Intel is also aiming at increasing the quotes for processors that power today’s ultabooks.
With Intel’s bill of materials (BOM) for ultrabooks being high, it would become increasingly difficult for vendors and ODMs to keep production costs low to sell more devices in 2012.
However, Microsoft hasn’t unveiled plans to make changes for its licensing fees as of yet, though rumors on possible increases in the price for its upcoming platform did emerge before.
Windows 8 is the first operating system flavor in Microsoft’s lineup to arrive with optimizations for use on the touchscreen displays of tablet PCs.
The OS is expected to be loaded on a wider range of devices than previous platform releases, including tablets, notebooks, desktop PCs, and even larger screens, such as TVs.
Moreover, Windows 8 is said to be closely related to Windows Phone 8, basically making it available for smartphones as well. Microsoft has yet to provide specific details on the matter.
The next-generation platform is set to become commercially available sometime in early fourth quarter, following the availability of the release candidate version in early June and its release to manufacturing later this summer.
When launched, Windows 8 will be loaded both on x86 architectures, as well as on devices powered by ARM processors (a special version of the OS will run on these devices, Windows RT).
We’re still several months away from the moment when Microsoft will make a formal announcement on Windows 8’s release and pricing plans, so keep an eye on this space for additional details on the matter.