Open Source and Free Software

pokerfan

(27,677 posts) Wed Jan 18, 2012, 11:32 PM Jan 2012

Microsoft confirms UEFI fears, locks down ARM devices

I'm shocked, shocked to learn that Microsoft would do something like this...

At the beginning of December, we warned the Copyright Office that operating system vendors would use UEFI secure boot anticompetitively, by colluding with hardware partners to exclude alternative operating systems. As Glyn Moody points out, Microsoft has wasted no time in revising its Windows Hardware Certification Requirements to effectively ban most alternative operating systems on ARM-based devices that ship with Windows 8.

www.softwarefreedom.org/blog/2012/jan/12/microsoft-confirms-UEFI-fears-locks-down-ARM/

6 replies

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Highlight:

Microsoft confirms UEFI fears, locks down ARM devices (Original Post) pokerfan Jan 2012 OP

Aren't ARM devices basically phones and tablets? Renew Deal Jan 2012 #1

from the article pokerfan Jan 2012 #2

I am coming back here tomorrow to ask questions dixiegrrrrl Jan 2012 #3

It is good to konow what to avoid. Thanks for the warning. nt bemildred Jan 2012 #4

Forwarded this to a lawyer buddy who specializes in computers. hobbit709 Jan 2012 #5

It's practically cruel, giving Microsoft a tool like that.... phantom power Jan 2012 #6

Renew Deal

(82,928 posts)

1. Aren't ARM devices basically phones and tablets?

Reply to pokerfan (Original post)

Wed Jan 18, 2012, 11:33 PM

Jan 2012

Is anyone installing other OS's on those devices?

pokerfan

(27,677 posts)

2. from the article

Reply to Renew Deal (Reply #1)

Thu Jan 19, 2012, 12:05 AM

Jan 2012

Before this week, this policy might have concerned only Windows Phone customers. But just yesterday, Qualcomm announced plans to produce Windows 8 tablets and ultrabook-style laptops built around its ARM-based Snapdragon processors. Unless Microsoft changes its policy, these may be the first PCs ever produced that can never run anything but Windows, no matter how Qualcomm feels about limiting its customers' choices. SFLC predicted in our comments to the Copyright Office that misuse of UEFI secure boot would bring such restrictions, already common on smartphones, to PCs. Between Microsoft's new ARM secure boot policy and Qualcomm's announcement, this worst-case scenario is beginning to look inevitable.