AMD eyes Chrome OS and Android

AMD has broadened its horizons and is looking beyond the myopic world of Windows exclusivity.

Indeed, senior VP Lisa Su recently confirmed that the industry heavyweight will be expanding OS options as it designs chips based on x86 and ARM architecture, which will allow the company to target multiple operating systems.

In addition, Su said that AMD will be expanding its custom-chip business, with Android and Chrome OS offering flexibility for third-party chip design and integration.

“We are very committed to Windows 8; we think it’s a great operating system, but we also see a market for Android and Chrome developing as well,” Su told IDG News.

“I think Android and Chrome tend to be in the entry form factors—the tablets, the low-end clamshells.”

As Agam Shah of IDG News notes, adoption of Windows 8 tablets by the mainstream masses has been less-than-stellar thus far. As such, support for other operating systems like Google’s Android or Chrome OS could help significantly expand AMD’s market reach as it steps up competition with industry rival Intel.