--- title: "Friday Buzz: The Future of Microsoft Windows" id: "36190" type: "post" slug: "friday-buzz-the-future-of-microsoft-windows" published_at: "2016-12-09T21:45:37+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T18:10:13+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/12/09/friday-buzz-the-future-of-microsoft-windows/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/12/09/friday-buzz-the-future-of-microsoft-windows.md" excerpt: "Microsoft Windows just gained a bold new feature that could redefine the platform—along with PC hardware—in the years to come. Also: Why universities are smart event venues." taxonomy_category: - "Organizational Strategy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Microsoft" - "Software" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Friday Buzz: The Future of Microsoft Windows The long-term business case for Microsoft Windows, already strong, just got a lot more interesting. And it’s thanks to a clever move out of the software giant’s traditional base. This week, [Microsoft announced native Windows 10 support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors (opens in a new tab)](http://hothardware.com/news/windows-10-runs-on-a-snapdragon-processor-with-x86-apps-fully-functional) , a move away from simply supporting Intel PCs and toward supporting low-energy machines. The company has been down this road before, with its Windows RT platform, but unlike that platform (used in some of the early versions of the Microsoft Surface), the new Snapdragon version is a full-fledged variant of Windows 10 that’s compatible with existing desktop apps without any extra coding. Microsoft pulled this trick off with the use of an emulation layer to simulate the functions of an Intel CPU for apps that need them. While this in the past has meant slower performance, the company says that the Snapdragon processors are fast enough that the change isn’t noticeable. And the Snapdragon processors could even give Microsoft a leg up on the mobility front, as they include built-in cellular connectivity. That means future machines that support Windows—[like the Surface (opens in a new tab)](http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/8/13883616/microsoft-arm-surface-pro-ultimate-mobile-future) or [even mobile phones (opens in a new tab)](http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/8/13881930/microsoft-turn-a-phone-into-a-pc-arm-continuum) —could use a lot less power while gaining a lot more functionality. The decision to move outside of its Intel-processor comfort zone could also help Microsoft maintain its dominant position as Google’s Chromebooks [start competing at the lower end of the market](http://associationsnow.com/2016/11/macbook-pro-maybe-macs-arent-enterprise-machines/#enter-the-chromebook) . In other words, with a single move, the laptop space just got interesting again. ### Back to School > Events at universities are a good way for associations to build links to their industry with students & graduates [#eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/F7QnYgfqvl (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/F7QnYgfqvl) > > — Amanda Thurlow (@AmandaThurlow) [December 9, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/AmandaThurlow/status/807262031170637824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **An interesting concept to look into:** A while back, [Social Tables suggested (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.socialtables.com/academia/increase-revenue-university-events/) that it might be a good idea for universities to look into doing events as a way to raise revenue. U.K.-based event pro Amanda Thurlow added to this point by encouraging event planners to put energy into the university space as well—because it might prove a thoughtful way to attract new members. ### Other Links of Note **If you’re still carrying around** a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 [despite all the warnings](http://associationsnow.com/2016/10/tuesday-buzz-samsungs-great-flameout/) , your device is about to stop working. [Mashable reports (opens in a new tab)](http://mashable.com/2016/12/09/samsung-galaxy-note-7-disabled/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link#WOSj3cwbHmqJ) that Samsung is about to brick the recalled device with an upcoming update. **Infographic of the day:** At its SlideShare site, LinkedIn [highlights the kinds of content (opens in a new tab)](http://www.slideshare.net/LImarketingsolutions/infographic-motivating-linkedin-members-to-engage-with-your-content/1) that do best with users on its platform. **Looking to figure out an advocacy approach** that makes sense for your members going into 2017? CQ Roll Call’s *Connectivity* website [breaks down some considerations (opens in a new tab)](http://connectivity.cqrollcall.com/set-an-advocacy-agenda-your-supporters-actually-want/) for building out your policy agenda. Adobe Photoshop, shown running on a version of Windows 10 for the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. (YouTube screenshot) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. 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