At a press conference hosted on Wednesday, Redmond based software giant Microsoft announced the highly anticipated Windows 10 platform. The most popular desktop operating system has been redeveloped from scratch to cater to the growing customer expectations and rapidly evolving hardware changes. The platform comes with several new features additions to help the users and here we compile ten such features that we need to know about Microsoft’s latest offering.
Hardware Indifference
Previously, Microsoft announced different versions of Windows for different hardware, but this is not the case with the Windows 10. The software has been designed to work on any hardware be it PC, tablet or mobile phone. The firm has included numerous improvements to the core of the platform to make the OS look alike on all the devices. There will be some minor usability differences, but Windows 10 will be the same when it comes to feel and user experience across any device.
Windows 10 for Phones
There are minor tweaks in the Windows 10 for smartphone interface and it includes the ability to set wallpapers in the background, new icons and app bar experience, a new settings page, more in sync with Windows 10 on the PC and more.
Cortana
As of now, Cortana virtual assistant was meant only for smartphones, but now it is coming to desktop with all the features Windows Phone users have experienced. Cortana can be accessed from a small box in the taskbar and it can be popped by saying “Hi Cortana”.
Spartan – Alternative to Internet Explorer
Finally, Microsoft has got rid of Internet Explorer, but the Windows 10 will be equipped with a new web browser codenamed Spartan. This new browser will be a lighter and faster version of Internet Explorer and it will also provide a variety of features such as Reader mode for distraction free reading and Cortana integration.
Universal Applications
Microsoft will be bringing universal apps that will be available to all the users of Windows 10. Users can download an application on their smartphone and install the same on their desktop or tablet instantly. This way, common apps such as Photos, mail, calendar, music and others will work across all Windows 10 based devices and they will be synced using OneDrive.
Xbox Live
Windows 10 will bring some most preferred features of Xbox including the ability to play Xbox Live content on desktop, compete with other players online, capture epic gameplay, and take screenshots.
Holography
Microsoft appears to be exploring other options and it has come up with holography. The software giant has showed an idea of augmented reality with Windows based HoloLens goggles. These allow users to see their virtual 3D environment and interact with the same in every possible way.
Photos in the Cloud
The official Photos app of Windows 10 will display those photos stored on the all the devices that are connected together. For instance, those snaps taken on the user’s phone and the app is launched, the service will use the specific OneDrive account as a backup and display the photos across all the devices.
Surface Hub for business
Surface Hub is an enterprise solution and it is an 84 inch touch screen monitor. It has some work-specific features and can provide presentations and combine the documents to render a great user experience. There is built in Skype integration to make big-screen conference calls possible using Surface Hub.
Windows 10 for everyone
Windows 10 with all its goodness is free to upgrade for all Windows 7 and Windows 8 users and hence, even the users of the previous generation platform can enjoy the features brought in by the new iteration.
Microsoft has not announced when it will release the Windows 10 platform for its users, but we can hope to see the platform to be released by the end of this year.
