Microsoft Windows RT to mark the end of the PC era

Smart devices to become remote for life, says Qualcomm

BERLIN: Microsoft's forthcoming Windows RT operating system marks the beginning of the end for the PC era, according to chip maker Qualcomm.

Qualcomm's chief operating officer Steve Mollenkopf claimed that in the future, all devices will run using mobile operating systems. He cited the upcoming Microsoft Windows RT operating system as proof of his claim.

"In Windows RT we're seeing a blend of the smartphone world with the PC world... a move from legacy computing to mobile computing," said Mollenkopf.

The Qualcomm chief operating officer claimed that in the future the majority of devices will also have intelligent recommendation features, like Google Now on Android.

"We imagine that in the future all of our devices will be connected together. Our phone will be a remote for life, controlling everything we do," said Mollenkopf.

"Mobile will grow outside of phones. Phones at the moment don't do everything we think they will, in fact, in the future phones will start to anticipate what you need... they'll have a digital sixth sense."

Mollenkopf claimed the feature will do this using geographical and contextual data to create intelligent alerts for users.

"They're going to learn a lot about your life to help you out. They'll have contextual awareness, looking at what's going on around you," he explained.

The new wave of super-intelligent smartphones will have wider implications for industries like advertising, helping companies use smart devices to create campaigns tailored to the individual, Mollenkopf predicted.

"By looking at the data and filtering it, smartphones will become a more efficient advertising platform," he said.

Windows RT is one of three new operating systems set to be released by Microsoft in October. Microsoft is also set to release its full Windows 8 and mobile Windows Phone 8 platforms alongside Windows RT.

For a full look at Windows 8, see V3's in depth written review.