Microsoft and Qualcomm Collaborate with Google to Launch an ARM Native Version of Google Drive Later This Year

Microsoft and Qualcomm are currently working hard to persuade developers to port their software to Windows on ARM. Previously, Google had launched a native version of the Chrome browser for such devices, providing better performance and experience than through a compatibility layer.

According to news released by Qualcomm, Microsoft and Qualcomm are collaborating with Google to port its cloud storage app, Google Drive, to Windows on ARM.

The ARM native version of Google Drive is set to launch later this year. Currently, users still need to use a compatibility layer for conversion or the web version, which is functional but not optimal in terms of experience.

Compared to before, Microsoft and Qualcomm are now more committed, especially since Copilot+PC is a key project being pushed by both. Most of these devices currently use Qualcomm ARM chips.

This development isn't much of a concern for Intel, as the newly launched Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors are compatible with Copilot+PC while being based on the x86 architecture, thus compatible with all mainstream software.

Therefore, the pressure is mainly on Qualcomm. If the Copilot+PC ecosystem fails to establish itself, it might lead to a situation similar to the previous Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx, where the ecosystem was languishing.

However, just as Intel can launch x86 chips compatible with Copilot+PC to encroach on Qualcomm's market, Qualcomm is also considering a countermove by introducing ARM chips into desktop computers.