Microsoft talks about why there is no 64-bit emulation for ARM

Windows 10 laptops running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC were shown at yesterday's Snapdragon Technology Summit in Hawaii. Microsoft set up a new emulation system to achieve this, enabling you to run all your 32-bit apps on the ARM platform.

One thing that's still missing is support for 64-bit x86 desktop applications. FUD Zilla talked to Erin Chappelle, GM of the Windows and device group, and got to hear that it was a time to market decision. Emulation of 64-bit x86 may follow in the future, but Microsoft doesn't see it as a priority as it believes most software that needs this isn't a good fit for what the platform is tailored for:

Erin confirmed Fudzilla that the Microsoft was considering the 64-bit emulation support for the future, but it was a time to market and executive decision that prevented 64-bit to be supported at launch. Microsoft will enable 64-bit SDK for developers and this might be the way to optimize the applications going forwarded. Our understanding is that if Adobe comes up with an idea that they want to make a native Photoshop for ARM, Microsoft and its SDK will be there to help.

Erin also said that most X64 applications in the market are the high-end games. This is not what the Snapdragon platform is tailored for. At the Snapdragon technology summit in beautiful Maui Hawaii, it was pointed out by Erin as well as Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft pointed out that always connected PC is a completely new market for Microsoft.