Intel Corp (INTC)

[mas]

Windows systems set to be merged by Microsoft [Intel x86 a clear winner going forward]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28440288

Universal apps

Mr Nadella did, however, discuss the benefits of merging the Windows Phone OS with the other versions of the system, noting that it would swell the number of programs available to run on the firm's handsets as a result of having "one ecosystem".

"One of beauties of universal Windows app is it aggregates for the first time for us all of our Windows volume," Mr Nadella said.

"An app that runs with a mouse and keyboard on the desktop can be in the store, and you can have the same app run in the touch-first [mobile devices].

"[It] gives developers the entire volume of Windows, which is 300 plus million units as opposed to just our 4% share of mobile in the US or 10% in some countries."

The move puts Microsoft at odds with Apple and Google, which are both pursuing separate strategies for laptop/desktop computers and mobile devices - Apple with Mac OS X and iOS, Google with Chrome and Android.

But it does bring Microsoft closer to another OS developer, Canonical, which has promoted the idea of its Ubuntu system powering both phones and desktops. Canonical previously highlighted that one benefit of this strategy was that a handset could double up as a low-power desktop PC if it was plugged into a monitor and connected to a mouse.

It also paves the way for Microsoft to introduce its voice-controlled personal assistant, Cortana, to PCs. Mr Nadella mentioned the app several times during the call.