Redmond: Microsoft finally announced its Windows 10 operating system with a simplified look that it hopes will make up for the terrible reaction to its last major release – Windows 8.
Apart from showcasing the latest updates on the software front, Microsoft also unveiled two new hardwares – the Microsoft Surface Hub and the HoloLens, a holographic lens with its own untethered computing system.
The new upgrade will be free for users on Windows 8.1, and free for people on Windows 7 for the first year.
Windows 10 is much more simplified than its predecessor, with a lighter look and faster performance. The ‘start menu’ is back, making it more user-friendly.
Windows 10 is made to run on devices large and small – from the smallest phone to the biggest TV – and also on new kinds of computers like wearable computers.
Windows 10 will start an era where your desktop, mobile phone, laptop, tablet, 2-in-1 will all run the same Windows 10 OS which will be optimised according to the platforms. This will not only help users who are invested in the Windows eco-system across devices, but also help developers develop apps that will run across platforms.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s personal assistant Cortana will be bundled with Windows 10 and will be available across devices. Cortana’s search and reminder capabilities will come to the desktop as well. On the desktop, Cortana will be seen as a search box located beside the Start button.
Cortana supports 7 languages and can speak in impersonations as well. You can also ask Cortana to open apps on your desktop such as PowerPoint or Word and can also dictate emails in Outlook and send them by voice commands.
In addition Windows 10 will come with new apps for Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People & Messaging, and Mail & Calendar, and Microsoft will release new versions of its Office applications for Windows 10.
An Xbox app will also allow users to stream games from the Xbox console to a Windows computer or tablet.
In terms of the user interface, there have been some improvements. There is a new Notification Centre which is seen above the Action Centre and these will be synced across devices. The Control Panel and Settings menu have been merged into a single folder. Also when using a 2-in-1, when you go from a desktop mode to a tablet mode, you get a notification asking if you want to switch to tablet mode, thereby optimising the full screen for touch-based inputs.
Microsoft also unveiled a new Web browser code-named Spartan, which will have Cortana built in and ready to chime in at presumably helpful moments. Spartan is poised to be the successor to Internet Explorer.
The company is expected to announce a final launch date for Windows 10 at its Build conference in April, later in 2015.