Windows 10 – Unified, Better and the Best…….. The clock is ticking for the day we get to see the real Windows 10. We are nearing the mid of 2015 and waiting since almost a year now, after the Build Conference in April 2014 to see this all new operating system. And what’s more, it is really going to be FREE for the users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. At least that is what we have been promised, that is if we have not missed to read in between the lines. It assures to bring in a sea of change. Threshold, Code name for Windows 10 was unveiled in September 2014 and was promised to become Microsoft’s most comprehensive operating system ever. Interesting consumer –oriented features were presented earlier this year in January 2015 at the "Windows 10: The Next Chapter". Of course the highlight was the Cortana integration within Windows, upgraded Office Mobile suite and HoloLens eyewear with augmented reality support. Windows 10 pledges to take Windows further and give it a fresh new perspective. When Microsoft unifies all its brands, be it for smart phones, tablets, Desktops, Laptops or the funky - all new IoT devices or the Xbox gaming consoles; it is going to be the next big thing. Security and convenience along with the practical new approach of unification across devices makes us hope for the better and the best. Microsoft Build 2015 from April 29 to May 1 is anxiously awaited now by all.
From September 2014 till today, we gather interesting information and of course the technical preview version gives us a good amount of insight into this much anticipated avatar of Windows which has surprisingly bypassed Windows 9.
Unification The anxiously looked forward common platform of Windows, Windows Phone and Windows Embedded together; unifying Windows across all sorts of devices is going to be no mean feat. The three different basic Windows architectures have haunted the developers and users alike for many years now. Microsoft always had unsure steps in the regime of mobility and mobile devices, but this approach promises to bring it back on track especially with the sharing of user data and app licenses between multiple devices and the unified platform. Windows; after all, is the first ever operating system that brought ease into computing decades ago, making it easy for all types of users to operate computers without an engineer at hand. Needless to say, it was revolutionary enough to change the face of home computing. We could never get over the comfort zone of windows on the larger devices, why not all of them now?
Universal Apps The Universal Apps is the projected common application architecture and the ecosystem. Prudent integration would be provided with various Microsoft services and platforms like Cortana Assistant and the new Xbox Live to mention a few. They are Windows Store apps that would be compatible with all Windows 10 devices like the two in ones, tablets, smartphones, Xboxes or the laptops and desktops. These apps are capable of self synchronizing to configured devices and have adaptive & responsive designs. The distribution of these apps would be again through a unified Windows Store itself. An app purchased for a particular device is available on all other Windows 10 devices too. Probably the Microsoft Account is finally to be put to better use. Learning from competition is a very good idea.
All kinds of Users and One Windows for All Microsoft probably overlooked the users of Mouse and Keyboard while designing Windows 8. Windows 10 is promised to give a balanced and comparable UX to users with all types of preferences - Touch, Mouse and Keyboard. The revised Start Menu and Virtual Desktop are all set to put this right. Reminiscences of Windows 7 promise to make the users more comfortable and probably accept the new Windows better. This enhanced experience for users on non-touch devices was much needed to revive the failing confidence of users world wide. Listening to criticism certainly pays.
Safe & Secure Modern security methods would be obviously integrated into the new operating system. Various verification and authentication techniques would be made available when Windows Hello, the all new Microsoft native biometric authentication system makes its debut. Face logins, iris recognition and of course finger print recognitions for fool proof security are on the horizon.
A New Browser A brand new web browser from Microsoft is also in the offing, integrated into the operating system itself. Probably Internet Explorer is making way for the new.
Entertainment On Windows 10 Entertainment would get a completely new meaning on Windows 10 with seamless integration into the updated Xbox app for gaming using both PC and Xbox console games. Xbox becomes the entertainment hub on the cloud, curating games, music, pictures, movies and the list never ends.
Finally Microsoft Developers Resolves to Make us Happy Microsoft finally acknowledges its own powers, proficiencies and aura. Almost two decades since Windows arrived. It is a big deal. It was about time the technology giant gets out of its recluse to recognize the potentials of devices beyond the desktops and the laptops. Better late than never!!