At a small press event in San Francisco this Tuesday morning, Microsoft unveiled their latest operating system, Windows 10.
What happened to Windows 9?
For those of you who have been following the Windows timeline, you’ll notice that Microsoft has skipped the number 9 entirely. Terry Myerson, Microsoft Executive Vice President of Operating Systems, said the name is due to the substantial leap over its predecessor. “When you see the product in its fullness I think you’ll agree with us it’s a more appropriate name for the breadth of the product family that’s coming,” said Myerson. “It’s a name that resonated best with what we’ll deliver.”
It would be just as easy to say that Microsoft is attempting to distance itself from the poor reception of Windows 8 by skipping a whole number, but it seems Windows 10 is actually a combination of Windows 7 and 8. I guess “Windows 15” would be going a bit too far.
Windows 10 will run on multiple devices
With Windows 10, Microsoft wants to bridge the gap between all types of devices. Touted as their “most comprehensive platform ever,” the operating system will be seen running on a variety of devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, servers, could-based systems, and even the Xbox One.
“Windows 10 will run on the broadest amount of devices. A tailored experience for each device,” said Myerson. This new design philosophy seems to be the opposite of what Microsoft attempted to accomplish with Windows 8. Rather than unifying all devices under one user interface, Windows 10 will incorporate a responsive design philosophy, meaning it will be able to identify what type of device it’s being used on and change its interface accordingly.
Windows 10’s new features
Microsoft showed off a few new things that Windows 10 will be bringing to the operating system table, and it looks like it’s back to basics.
Keyboard-and-mouse users shall rejoice, as gone is the reliance on “Modern” interface in favor of the Start Menu’s return. The new Start Menu won’t be getting rid of the “Modern” design entirely, as it incorporates Windows 8-style Live Tiles into a dedicated customizable space.
Windows App Store applications will now be standardized to run in their own windows for a more traditional Windows experience. Previously, “Modern” apps only ran in full screen to capitalize on tablet usage.
Windows 10 will be bringing a new Task View feature, allowing you view all your open windows at once with live previews. This feature is very similar to Exposé and Mission Control on the Mac.
You’ll be able to create multiple virtual desktops in Windows 10, so you can have desktops dedicated to work materials and switch to another desktop for more casual use.
One particularly exciting feature is the inclusion of keyboard shortcuts in Command Prompt. As small of a feature as it might seem, it’s a wonder why it has taken so long to include such a convenience.
While most of these new features were demonstrated for keyboard-and-mouse users, Microsoft says they’re not giving up on touch-based controls. “It’s easy to say, ‘Oh it’s Microsoft giving up on touch,'” said Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President of the Operating Systems Group at Microsoft. “We’re absolutely not giving up on touch. We have a massive number of users who know Windows 7 well and a massive, but smaller, number of people who know Windows 8 well.”
Touch controls will be there when you need them. For example, when using a 2-in-1 tablet-laptop hybrid, disconnecting the keyboard will revert the desktop to a Windows 8-style Start screen. Reattaching the keyboard will automatically bring the desktop back.
Microsoft is also touting a single application platform, allowing developers to write universal apps for use on all types of devices. “There will be one way to write a universal application, one store, one way for apps to be discovered purchased and updated across all of these devices,” Myerson said.
Windows 10 is expected to release in Fall 2015
Starting in October of this year, Microsoft will launch a “Windows Insider Program” for beta testing. Signing up for the program will allow “PC Experts and IT Pros” to test pre-release versions of Windows 10 software.
For now, Microsoft is focusing on detailing Windows 10 for Enterprise users. Consumer and developer information will be coming in early 2015 and at Microsoft’s Build conference next spring.
No pricing model has been announced for Windows 10, but the Internet has recently been circulating rumors of a free upgrade for Windows 8 users.
By Alfredo Dizon, eParisExtra