Is Windows RT dead? Yes, pretty much, but that might not mean what you think it does.
Microsoft confirmed this week that it has stopped manufacturing the Nokia Lumia 2520, which was the last device in production running Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 designed for tablets running power-efficient ARM processors.
“Windows RT is officially dead,” declares The Verge in its story reporting the 2520’s discontinuation.
However, in a statement issued to GeekWire, a Microsoft spokesman says this doesn’t mean the company is giving up support for ARM tablets. The spokesman reiterated what Microsoft operating systems chief Terry Myerson said at the Windows 10 consumer preview last month.
“As Terry Myerson shared on stage on January 21, Microsoft is working on an update for Windows RT, and will have more to share later,” the spokesman said. “ARM devices will continue to be a crucial part of the range of devices Windows 10 supports, with an optimized experience for ARM-based phones, phablets and small tablets up to 8 inches.”
That reflects Microsoft’s attempt to broaden the reach of Windows as part of the upcoming Windows 10 release, with a unified app platform across devices.
