The Manycore Shift: Microsoft Parallel Computing Initiative Ushers Computing Into the Next Era

When major qualitative shifts such as the emergence of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), the Internet, mobile devices, and software services transformed the computing industry, Microsoft has successfully adapted the company, products, and business models to enable the next generation of computing experiences. Each previous shift has made computing more personal, social, and mobile. The recent advances in microelectronic technology and the advent of multi-core and manycore processors are a signal that another large industry change is on the horizon. This paper describes how Microsoft and industry partners are working together to enable businesses, software and hardware vendors, and individuals to take advantage of the "Manycore Shift".