Windows 12: Is it an AI Update or Something Different?
In the recent Qualcomm earnings call, CEO Cristiano Amon stated that the company intends to launch its Snapdragon X Elite CPU along with the upcoming version of Windows, which is set to be rolled out in the mid of the year as per the reports from Beta News. With the speculations tending to the June release, he did not actually name it as Windows 12. Although, the mid-2024 proposed date raises questions on its feasibility.
The release of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite as well as the “next version of Windows” is closely tied to artificial intelligence (AI) that will become a central issue for both of them. Windows 12 is projected to have AI-dedicated features and use AI hardware, just like the Meteor Lake and Hawk Point processors, heralding the age of the AI chip PC. Though there are persistent rumors saying about the mid-2024 release, the lack of Microsoft’s official statement in February might indicate that the announcement is just around the corner. On the other hand, historical trends show that the company announces, on average, new Windows versions a few months ahead of their commercial release; Windows 11 was announced five months before its October 2021 release and Windows 10 had an announcement a year earlier. Besides, it is reported that Microsoft has moved to a three-year cycle system for the new Windows versions. Considering the release of Windows 11 in October 2021, the time frame for the release of Windows 12 can be in late 2024 or even 2025.
On the other hand, considering that the source is the CEO of Qualcomm, Amon, his information is likely accurate. If he mentioned a “version,” Amon most likely refers to the rumoured 24H2 update for Windows 11 that is expected to bring several AI improvements. The rumors about Windows 12 and the 24H2 update may, in fact, be about the same software. As reported by Zac Bowden for Windows Central, however, this update is unofficially referred to as Windows 12, yet it might turn out as the 24H2 update.
There is also a third possibility— that the Qualcomm CEO is discussing a Windows update or version specifically for Arm chips. Indeed, the Snapdragon Elite X is not just an AI-equipped CPU; it’s an Arm-based CPU with AI hardware. With the fact that Windows on Arm is not yet quite there when it comes to software support, maybe Microsoft is thinking of a massive overhaul for its Arm OS.
While it certainly confirms that Microsoft will be putting out some sort of major AI-based Windows release at some point, what exactly that will turn out to be remains far from clear. Whatever it is, an announcement is imminent as the deadline is just around the corner.
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