More news on what to expect for Windows 8 on ARM.
Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft:
WOA includes desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These new Office applications, codenamed “Office 15”, have been significantly architected for both touch and minimized power/resource consumption, while also being fully-featured for consumers and providing complete document compatibility. WOA supports the Windows desktop experience including File Explorer, Internet Explorer 10 for the desktop, and most other intrinsic Windows desktop features—which have been significantly architected for both touch and minimized power/resource consumption.
It seems very locked down which I think is a good thing. I can see the desktop mode being completely removed for ARM by the time Windows 9 rolls round in another three years. It also seems that they’ve kept it in purely to allow them to deliver Office 15. I guess delivering a new version of Office for WinRT was simply just too much to ask in the time they had.
Although, I would have preferred it if the desktop mode was completely removed for ARM I think this is great news. The Consumer Preview can’t come soon enough!