Vishal VasuMicrosoft announces Windows 10 – the next version of its popular Windows Operating System in an event in San Francisco on Tuesday. I’m not sure if the name would remain the same by the time the product matures and steps in to the market or it would pick up another title.
Microsoft plans to launch a Windows Insider Program that will give users a chance to run a very early beta of Windows 10. This first preview will be available for laptops and desktops and server versions will follow later. With the Windows Insider Program and the release of early beta, Microsoft plans to collect as much feedback as possible from users at an early stage of conception.
Microsoft announced that the new operating system now covers all devices – desktops, servers, tablets, smartphones and even embedded products. WoW! This means Microsoft is trying to cover all devices starting from 4-inch screens to devices with no screens too.
What’s New?
- Runs on all devices including embedded ones
- One product family, with a tailored UI experience for each device
- Combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern interface of Windows 8
- The “Start” menu still follows the GUI and is customizable. Phew!
- The “Windows” concept is back, allowing to resize the application Window and even move it around. They have title bars at the top allowing for maximize, minimize, and close with a click. God bless Microsoft!
- There’s a new task-view button on the taskbar for quick switching between open files and quick access to any desktops you create
- Create desktops for different purposes and projects and switch between these desktops easily and pick up where you left off on each desktop
- File Explorer now displays your recent files and frequently visited folders making for finding files you’ve worked on is easier
- Microsoft promises that Windows 10 will be more intutive than Windows 8 offering more productivity and ease of use
- Not clear what’s being offered, but Windows 10 will offer built-in MDM (Mobile Device Management)
- The “Touch” follows and Microsoft is not giving up on it. If using a Hybrid device where you can detach the keyboard from the screen, the OS asks to switch to Tablet mode. Agree to it and voila – the UI changes to facilitate touch screen inputs
Video Showcase
Watch Microsoft Windows VP Joe Belfiore talk about some of the features in Windows 10, like the new Start menu, multiple desktops, and improved multi-tasking. Learn how you can be part of creating the best Windows yet with the Tech Preview and the Windows Insider Program.
Microsoft expects to release the OS sometime in 2015 and is also expected to offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for Windows 8 users – but that does not excite many as there is still a bad aftertaste left from the Windows 8 adoption. The extent of the failure of Windows 8 can be seen from its deployment figures. Even after two years of launch, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 combined have a desktop operating system market share of only about 12%, according to the portal Netmarketshare. Windows XP on the other hand commands a 24% market share even though Microsoft stopped supporting the OS in April this year. So getting those XP features in Windows 10 would certainly help.
So, would it be right to say that Microsoft, under the NEW leadership of Satya Nadella is trying to win the OLD trust back on their OS?
Vishal Vasu
