Microsoft is set to release a version of its Windows operating system that is honed for use on tablet computers built using power efficient processors.
According to the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, the new version of Windows will be compatible with ARM processors that currently dominate the mobile market.
No target launch date has been mentioned. The WSJ expects Windows tablet to be available no less than two years from now.
Currently, Windows exclusively supports Intel's x86 architecture targeted at desktop computers and optimized for blistering speeds, but not power efficiencies essential for battery powered mobile devices.
ARM chips have targeted mobile devices from the outset.
Microsoft on Tuesday, December 21, announced that 1.5 million smartphones using Windows Phone 7 OS, launched just six weeks ago, have been shipped to distributors already, meeting the company's expectations.
Microsoft wrote the Windows Phone 7 OS from scratch, after phasing out its earlier smartphone OS Windows Mobile.
Analysts expect 25 million Phone 7 sales in 2011.
Phone 7 sales figures are impressive by any count and have perhaps buoyed Microsoft decision makers to boldly venture into the tablet market with a new OS that adequately arms them to challenge the dominance of Apple's iPad.
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