“Windows 10 is the first step to an era of more personal computing”, with this vision in mind, Microsoft yesterday unveiled their very new operating system Windows 10.
In a grand event held on January 21, 2015 in San Francisco, Microsoft unwrapped the most awaited Windows 10 Operating System which will work both on PCs and mobiles devices.
Windows 10 features
Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users for the first year. It will be a service, keeping the experience current for the supported lifetime of the device.
Besides the clearly visible changes like comeback of Start Menu, redesigned desktop icons, etc, Microsoft announced a bevy of business friendly as well as consumer-focused features including the following:
Cortana comes to PC and tablet
Long available on the Windows Phone, the personal digital assistant will now be available for the Windows 10 PCs and tablets. The company has placed it right next to the Start button providing an easy and fast access to the users. Cortana will now assist the PC and tablet users with its natural language interface. You just need to speak or type your queries and Cortana will assist you with the relevant links and pages. The advanced features like important reminders, pop-up notifications and integration with Maps makes it even more useful.
Spartan Web Browser
Microsoft launched its new web browser “Project Spartan” in the launch event. The key features of Spartan include the distraction-free reading, simplified layout, integration of Cortana and the ability to mark directly (with keyboard or pen) on the web page and share it with friends. The Spartan web browser will display the articles in a very simple layout giving you an improved and better reading experience.
Xbox Live with new Xbox App
Not just for the entrepreneurs and business users, but Windows 10 has something for the gamer too. Microsoft brings Xbox live right to your PCs and Tablets allowing you to connect to the millions of gamers around the world. Gamers can now play new games, capture, edit and share their gaming moments with their friends across devices. The new DirectX 12 app of Xbox brings notable improvement in speed, graphics and efficiency giving you a better and more pleasurable gaming experience. Stream your Xbox consoles to your Windows 10 PC or tablet and have fun.
Office for Windows 10
New and improved versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook are specially designed for the Windows 10 devices. While basic features of MS Office are same, the new features include the inking in PowerPoint and touch-first controls in MS Excel. As mentioned in the official blog, team Microsoft is still working on the next version of Office Desktop Suite and will bring it soon in near future.
Continuum mode
This is something very handy for the users using the 2-in-2 Windows 10 devices. Continuum mode detects the transition and lets the users switch between keyboard/mouse and touch conveniently.
Holographic future with Microsoft HoloLens
Windows 10 comes as world’s first holographic computing platform and includes a set of APIs which helps the developers to create the 3D holographic experiences in the real world. Microsoft also showcased HoloLens in the event which is a wearable wireless computer device which will enable Windows Holographic. The device is however not yet available, but he software giant promises to bring it soon. The Holographic feature will supposedly make it possible to place the 3D holograms in the real world and bringing the new ways to create and communicate.
New Microsoft Surface Hub
Microsoft Surface Hub, the new large-screen device launched in the event will help teams work together. This is a multi-touch device powered by Windows 10 is basically a big TV available in 84 inch and 55 inch size. The device accepts both pen as well as touch inputs. Dual camera, Skype, Office 365 and Perceptive Pixel resolution makes the devices best suitable for businesses. There was no official word on the price of this device, but the features show that it might come with big price tags.
Some other notable changes in Windows 10 include a new action center providing the quick access to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other PC settings.
The mega launch event of Windows 10 was actually the first look of the latest operating system and the next technical preview will be available for Windows Insiders sometime in next week. Windows 10 for phones will be coming sometime in the month of February. Stay Tuned.
Source: Microsoft.
