Unlocking the Future: How Slack's ARM Move Powers WINDOWS' Transition

The shift in computing from x86 or x64 to ARM architecture is under way, and Windows, which is finally heading to ARM, is making some big moves in that direction. Among those moves, a noteworthy one for everyone who follows the tech space was the announcement of the ARM-native Slack client. It’s not just an app update, and it’s not an MS Teams competitor, but it could be a significant development that could very well spur adoption for Windows on ARM. How exactly is this a big deal and what does Slack’s move here mean for the future of computing? Let’s find out.

Heading into a New Era: Slack Goes ARM Native

A Seamless Transition for WINDOWS on ARM

Microsoft took this hybridisation of the Windows OS onto the ARM architecture a step further this year, with a promise of improved performance and longer battery life. Then last month, Slack announced a new ARM64 version of its workplace messaging tool, which serves as more than just a technology story: It’s emblematic of broader acceptance and readiness for a new computing world – this time led by Microsoft.

Slack Joins the ARM Revolution

Slack’s move to release an ARM64 native client might be one of those turning points. It is available in beta today, and takes advantage of the strengths of ARM-based silicon in order to potentially deliver new kinds of AI experiences in a Windows on ARM machine. Why should you care? Because it is a tool many of us rely on in our daily lives, and it has just been made ready for the future of Windows. Microsoft is causing important parts of the software ecosystem to become ARM-ready, and that means we will see more ARM software.

MICROSOFT's Copilot+: Catalyzing Change

Sparking Innovation and Compatibility

With Copilot+ range, Microsoft is investing in the future of ARM. Having said all this, the importance of Microsoft’s investment in ARM is not just the fact that they are migrating from platform to platform but that they are fundamentally transforming Windows on ARM. Stephen Lawson/FlickrThe native apps support means that the apps will be intrinsically native on the hardware, and improved emulation software can make the experience smoother. This is Microsoft’s way of matching software upgrades to hardware capacities.

Overcoming Challenges Together

Ultimately, it might prove a distraction, hindered as it is by Microsoft’s inability to launch new AI features for Windows, and by the various security headaches that prompted the delay, along with the damaged Microsoft brand that might put off some major developers. But on balance, the ARM ambition at Microsoft seems unlikely to falter. At the very least, it promises a new model of computing – with drastically improved battery life and performance – that’s more likely to be welcomed than resisted.

Why the ARM Movement Matters More Than Ever

From Controversy to Mainstream Acceptance

Concerns about compatibility and performance have for a long time been the main complaints levied at the idea of Windows on ARM, but smaller app developers slowly chipping away at the gaping holes in the wall with something as innocuous as Slack native to ARM or Microsoft’s development of better emulation mean that those complaints are being taken less seriously. If Microsoft can get it right, the writing might be on the wall. The computing landscape could be about to be conquered by ARM.

The Promise of ARM: Beyond Just Battery Life

Although the fanfare has focused mostly on longer battery life, implications of a successful Windows migration to ARM extend well beyond that. Broader AI functions, increased speed and a huge leap in efficiency signal a future where ARM-based PCs might cease to be an exception and instead become the norm.

Embracing the ARM Future: What Lies Ahead

Looking Forward: The Terrain of Tomorrow’s Technology

Today, predictions say that, in a matter of years, the majority of PCs could be based on ARM – a change that a couple of years ago looked like a distant possibility. With Microsoft and Slack leading the way into this future, the stage is set for a revolution that would lead to unprecedented changes in the world of personal computing.

Conclusion: MICROSOFT's Role in Shaping the ARM Landscape

No one else is currently better positioned to do the same than Microsoft, especially because the company has vested interests in driving the ARM transition. It has been nurturing the ARM app ecosystem, sprucing up the core Windows on ARM experience, and is helping to build the fundamentals of the new era of computing magic. We are still in the midst of an immense transition from the legacy x86/x64 computing architecture to a new paradigm.

About MICROSOFT

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more by developing breakthrough software, devices and services. Its Windows operating system, Office suite and Surface line of devices have been a part of people’s lives for decades, and its continued invention and evolution will shape the future of technology in the years to come. Today you’ll see Microsoft lead the way in the transition to a new generation of personal computing with Windows on ARM.