Snapdragon Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft tests emulator to bring support for x64 apps and games to Windows on Arm: What it means for users

Microsoft is testing a significant update for systems using Qualcomm's Arm-based processors, introduced in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. This update includes a tool that enhances Copilot Plus PCs with Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus processors through its Prism emulation layer, allowing a wider range of x64 applications and games to run on these devices. The update aims to enable high-demand games like Starfield and Helldivers 2 on Arm-based Windows devices and is currently being trialed by Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel. The update improves the usability of 64-bit x86 software, providing access to processor extensions like AVX and AVX2, enhancing performance and compatibility. However, 32-bit software will still face limitations. Many applications, including Photoshop, Hulu, and Chrome, have transitioned to native ARM64 versions, while others rely on emulation. Adobe has re-enabled Premiere Pro for Windows 11 ARM devices powered by the Snapdragon X chip, allowing it to run under emulation after previously disabling it due to performance issues. Premiere Pro is now available within the Creative Cloud app, although performance may not match that of Intel or AMD-based machines. A native ARM version of Premiere Pro is in development, but no release date has been announced. Photoshop is currently the only Adobe application available natively for Windows on ARM, while other applications like After Effects are expected to gain support through emulation. Adobe's move aligns with its commitment to enhance its Creative Suite for Windows on ARM, and competitors like DaVinci Resolve are also working on native ARM versions of their software. Microsoft's Clipchamp has already been established as an ARM-native solution.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Samsung Health Monitor app ends support for Android 11 and older phones this December

Samsung Electronics is preparing to introduce seamless software updates with its upcoming Galaxy S25 series. This feature will allow updates to be downloaded in the background and installed on an inactive partition, minimizing downtime during the update process. Users will only experience a brief interruption during reboot, contrasting with the longer downtimes of traditional updates. The Galaxy S25 series is expected to feature a larger display, potentially a more rounded back on the S25 Ultra for comfort, and will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite. It is rumored to launch in January 2025 with Android 15-based One UI 7 software. There is no official confirmation from Samsung regarding these features or specifications, as the information is based on leaks and rumors.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out AI to these decades old popular tools on Windows

Microsoft is integrating advanced AI capabilities into its Paint and Notepad applications. Paint will feature Generative Fill, allowing users to add or alter image elements through text prompts, and Generative Erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects while filling in the background. These features are being rolled out to Windows Insiders, with Generative Fill initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs and Generative Erase accessible to all Windows 11 users. Notepad will introduce a Rewrite feature for rephrasing text, currently in preview for select regions, and has improved launch performance, reducing app launch time by over 35% for most users and up to 55% for some.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows on Arm apps are about to get access to the secret sauce Adobe used to get Premiere Pro 25 to work on Copilot+ PCs

Windows on Arm PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite processor are receiving a preview build of Windows 11 that enhances Prism emulation, specifically Build 27744. This update expands support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to run more efficiently. The update increases the range of 64-bit x86 applications that can be emulated, integrating support for additional CPU extensions like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. Currently, only x64 applications are supported, and users can provide feedback on compatibility and performance issues. Additionally, the Start menu has been simplified, a new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for Xbox controller navigation, the Task Manager's Disconnect and Logoff dialogs have been updated for dark mode and text scaling, and the detach virtual hard disk button has returned in the Settings menu.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Can the Snapdragon 8 Elite run Popular PC Games?

The realme GT 7 Pro, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has demonstrated the capability to run AAA PC games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag at 60 frames per second with a GPU usage rate of around 70%. Videos have also shown the device running Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Grand Theft Auto V. The gaming performance is facilitated by an upcoming application called GameFusion, which is designed for running demanding games on mobile devices. The developers of GameFusion have faced scrutiny for past work on the EggNS emulator and have introduced a paid subscription model. There is an ongoing partnership with GameSir, and details about GameFusion's availability and business model are currently unclear.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Qualcomm triples Windows on Arm OEM design wins since May

Qualcomm's CEO Cristiano R. Amon announced a significant increase in design wins for the Snapdragon X Plus eight-core platform, rising from 20 to 58 in six months. This reflects growing interest among OEMs in Arm-based Windows laptops. However, Qualcomm faces challenges in converting these design wins into consumer sales due to compatibility issues and performance concerns. Intel and AMD continue to dominate the market with hundreds of design wins annually. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus platform offers AI capabilities, 5G connectivity, and improved battery life, but software compatibility remains a challenge. In Q4 2024, Qualcomm reported revenue of .2 billion, a 19% year-on-year increase, and a net income of .92 billion, a 96% rise. Over the fiscal year, revenue increased 9% to .9 billion, and net profit surged 40% to .14 billion.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Snapdragon 8 Elite phones shown running PC games with no sweat, but is it legit?

GameFusion is a new application that allows users to play PC games locally on Android devices, demonstrated with titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Assassin’s Creed Rogue running smoothly on devices with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Realme executive Xu Qi Chase showcased Assassin’s Creed Rogue operating at 60 frames per second on a flagship smartphone. The app is developed by the creators of the EggNS emulator, which has a controversial history involving allegations of code theft. GameSir has acknowledged its connection to the EggNS team, and GameFusion may be integrated into its GameHub application. Users may need specific GameSir controllers to fully utilize GameFusion.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

New Windows Build Brings AVX Support To Snapdragon X For Gaming And More

Recent evaluations of laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors have praised their performance and battery life, but issues arose with the high-end Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 chip in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, where certain applications were found incompatible due to limitations in emulation capabilities. The Windows operating system uses an emulation layer called Prism to run x86-64 applications on Arm architecture, but it initially lacked support for essential SIMD instructions like AVX2 and AVX. Microsoft announced an update in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 that enhances Prism by adding support for AVX, AVX2, and other instructions, allowing Snapdragon-based Windows machines to run x86 software requiring these instruction sets. However, only x64 applications will benefit from this update, leaving legacy 32-bit x86 applications unaffected. This is significant for gaming, as many recent titles utilize AVX for improved processing speeds, potentially increasing compatibility for previously unplayable games on Snapdragon devices. Despite these advancements, Microsoft has not addressed the potential performance implications of the emulation process. Initial observations suggest that while performance degradation from Prism emulation is less severe than expected, it still does not match that of native Arm applications. Qualcomm is tasked with improving Snapdragon X Elite gaming capabilities, facing challenges with Windows graphics drivers, particularly the Adreno graphics drivers, which may hinder its competitiveness against AMD and Intel in the Windows laptop market.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview brings updated Prism emulator for Arm PCs

Microsoft has introduced an updated Prism emulator in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, improving compatibility with x86-based applications and games. The new emulator supports additional CPU extensions, enabling applications like Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 and games such as Starfield and Helldivers 2 to run on Arm PCs. Devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs can now run more legacy applications and games without native ARM64 versions. The update also includes a new on-screen gamepad keyboard for better navigation and typing on gaming handhelds and touchscreen devices. The changelog for Build 27744 includes various enhancements and fixes, such as resolving display issues for older NVIDIA GPUs, fixing problems with the Emoji Panel and Clipboard History, improving Windows Sandbox performance, correcting dynamic refresh rate issues, and addressing multiple bugs related to remote desktop connections and app functionalities.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft’s new emulator could bring more games to Windows on Arm

Microsoft is updating Windows on Arm to improve x64 software and game compatibility through advanced emulation, focusing on devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. This update is part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, being tested in the Canary Channel. The new emulator will support 64-bit x86 software and various processor extensions, including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, but will not support 32-bit software. Popular games using AVX2 technology, like Starfield and Helldivers 2, will benefit from this update. Some widely-used applications, such as Photoshop, Hulu, and Chrome, have native ARM64 versions, but others still rely on emulation. The emulator is currently enabled in a limited capacity on retail PCs, allowing Premiere Pro 25 on Arm to operate. A correction noted that Blender now has an ARM64 version and does not require emulation.