This move follows efforts by Microsoft and Qualcomm to encourage app developers to adapt their software for Windows on Arm.
Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, announced the upcoming release during the company’s IFA event. He also noted that NordVPN and ExpressVPN will now be accessible on Snapdragon-powered laptops.
The absence of Google Drive and VPN apps on recent Copilot Plus PCs was due to their need for updates compatible with Windows on Arm. Although Google had previously blocked Drive on Qualcomm-powered devices, it seems Qualcomm and Microsoft have successfully persuaded Google to develop an Arm64 version of the app. Google had already released an Arm64 version of Chrome for Windows in time for the Copilot Plus launch in June.
In addition to this development, Qualcomm is introducing its new eight-core Snapdragon X Plus chip, aimed at reducing the cost of Windows on Arm laptops. This has resulted in more affordable models like the Asus Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 14, starting at $899. Qualcomm has also projected that laptop prices could fall to around $700 by 2025.
Amon also mentioned that Qualcomm is exploring the potential for Snapdragon chips in desktop PCs. While there have been previous hints about Snapdragon X Elite chips for desktops, the closest device so far has been Qualcomm’s eight-inch development kit. More details might emerge during Qualcomm’s Snapdragon summit in October.