The increasing popularity of Windows on Arm (WoA) devices like laptops and tablets, due to their longer battery life and always-on connectivity, promises a new market full of opportunities and exponential growth potential.
Microsoft and its hardware partners are gearing up to launch a new wave of computers that will be powered by Arm’s cutting-edge technology. Although Microsoft has improved compatibility with x86 applications through emulation, native WoA apps offer better performance and battery life.
Developing for Arm is easier than you think. With the right tools and resources, you can create high-performance, efficient apps that take full advantage of Arm architecture. Microsoft and Arm are providing everything you need to get started, from comprehensive development environments to detailed documentation and community support. This means big opportunities for developers to create the next generation of apps.
“Arm market share will almost double from 14% to 25% by 2027. " Counterpoint
Here's an overview of some of what they offer:
Microsoft Tools and Resources
Visual Studio:
IDE: Visual Studio supports cross-platform development and is the primary integrated development environment (IDE) for building, testing, and debugging Windows applications, including those for WoA.
Arm64EC: A new application binary interface (ABI) designed to help developers transition apps to Windows on Arm.
Windows SDK:
APIs and Libraries: The Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) provides the necessary APIs, libraries, and tools to develop and deploy applications on Windows, including those running on Arm architecture.
Windows Dev Center:
Documentation: Extensive documentation, tutorials, and best practices for developing WoA applications.
Samples and Code: Example projects and sample code to help developers get started quickly.
Microsoft Learn and Training:
Courses: Online courses and modules focused on developing apps for Windows, including specifics for WoA.
Webinars and Events: Regularly held events and webinars to keep developers updated on the latest tools and techniques.
Emulation and Testing:
Emulation Tools: Tools to test x86 and x64 applications on Arm devices to ensure compatibility and performance.
Remote Testing: Services that allow developers to test their applications on actual Arm devices remotely.
Arm Tools and Resources
Arm Development Studio:
IDE and Debugger: A comprehensive development environment tailored for Arm architectures, providing robust debugging and optimization tools.
Arm Compiler:
Optimised Compilers: Arm offers compilers specifically optimised for Arm processors, ensuring better performance and efficiency of the applications.
Arm NN and Compute Library:
Machine Learning Support: Libraries and tools to help developers implement and optimise machine learning models on Arm-based devices.
Documentation and Community
Creating Windows on Arm (WoA) applications involves a combination of leveraging existing Windows development tools and specific considerations for the Arm architecture. Below is a guide to documentation and community resources that can be helpful for developers:
Official Documentation
Microsoft Docs: Windows on Arm Development:
Windows on Arm Documentation: Provides comprehensive guides on developing, testing, and optimising applications for Windows on Arm.
MSDN:
MSDN Developer Resources: A broad array of resources for Windows development, including APIs, SDKs, and best practices.
Visual Studio Documentation:
Visual Studio Docs: Guides on setting up Visual Studio for Arm development, debugging, and performance optimization.
Super User: A community-driven Q&A site for advanced users and developers.
Microsoft Q&A:
Microsoft Q&A: A platform to ask questions and get answers from Microsoft and the community.
Collaboration and Support
Joint Initiatives: Microsoft and Arm collaborate to provide seamless integration and support for developers targeting WoA, ensuring that the tools and resources are continuously updated and improved.
Developer Engagement: Microsoft and Arm actively engage developers through various contests and initiatives to drive innovation in Windows on Arm (WoA) applications. For example, Microsoft has hosted several hackathons, such as the Microsoft Developers AI Learning Hackathon, which offers prizes for developers who build AI copilot applications using Azure Cosmos DB. Another notable event is the Hack Together: The Microsoft Fabric Global AI Hack, which challenges developers to create real-world AI applications using Microsoft Fabric and offers various prizes, including conference passes and swag.
Microsoft and Arm have been actively engaging with developers to encourage the creation of apps for Windows on Arm (WoA). They provide extensive support, including developer tools and hardware like the Windows Dev Kit 2023, also known as Project Volterra.
These efforts demonstrate a strong commitment from Microsoft and Arm to build a robust ecosystem for WoA, ensuring that developers have the resources and incentives needed to succeed in this space.
At DayDevs we specialise in developing applications optimised for Arm architecture, ensuring seamless performance and efficiency. We are dedicated to helping businesses leverage the full potential of Windows on Arm technology.
We are excited to be contributing to this ecosystem, and this is just the beginning. For more information about our services, visit Day Devs.
Saemie Chouchane
Saemie is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Day Devs, with a background in application development and software engineering since 2010. Passionate about the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, he is dedicated to finding where AI truly excels. His main focus is the chip industry, and he is excited about its future innovations and possibilities.
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