Just as is the case with practically anything Microsoft does, the announcement of Windows 10 OS didn’t want for glitz, glam, and buzz. And true to form, Microsoft delivered their latest masterpiece. At their January Windows 10 event the tech giant not only confirmed early rumors, but it also had some tricks up its sleeve. What follows are a few highlights of the new product.
Universal Apps
Windows 10 will allow nearly all of your programs to scale on different screen sizes. This means that whether you want to use Word, Excel, Outlook, or PowerPoint, everything will adapt to the particular size screen that you are using. This is not only good news for users, but developers who want to create their products for the whole spectrum of devices will be in for a lot less work.
Continuum ModeNe
Owners of hybrid devices will have the ability to work with either a touch screen or traditional keyboard and mouse inputs. Want to switch from one to the other? All you have to do is change the setting on the device switch, and you’re in business. Just the touch of a button will cause open apps to become full-screen too. The bottom line is that the continuum mode will allow a less restrictive experience for convertible and hybrid devices.
Windows 10 for Mobile Devices
Users who work on a screen measuring less than 8 inches will be happy to learn that Windows 10 will enhance their user experience as well. Not only can users quickly change the images behind the tiles with a touch, but Windows 10 will allow them to display notifications across the screen, making touching to check these sources unnecessary. There’s also a new message app that works with Skype and a function that allows users to change the size of the keyboard and move it to wherever on the screen they want it.
Windows 10 for Desktop
Getting a little tired of the opening setup of Windows? Microsoft has modernized the start screen as well as the icons. If you happen to like the older versions of the start screens, you can change to those as well.
Cortana on the Big Screen
Fans of Microsoft’s personal digital assistant, Cortana, can now enjoy the use of this powerful tool on their PC. All of the powerful query and search capabilities that are available on Cortana have been preserved in the desktop version. There’s no need to dig up anything from your data again, and because Cortana is Cloud based, you don’t have to worry about the quantity slowing you down.
Project Spartan
If you are itching for a change from Internet Explorer, be sure to check out Project Spartan, the newest browser from Microsoft. Not only does it run better than IE, it has a cleaner look and is compatible with all devices using the Windows 10 operating system. Project Spartan will enhance your ability to take notes directly from a website on screen, and lets you rearrange windows to make them easier to read.
Xbox for Windows 10
Gamers will be excited to know that every Windows 10 will be equipped with an XBox app ready and waiting for their use. This new feature will enable users to chat via voice and text as well as stream their games on PC and tablets.
Windows Holographic
Called HoloLens, Windows Holographic allows users to work on their PC through a semi-transparent headset display. With the HoloLens, users can view and interact with images that they can call up with the touch of a button. Need to move an image off your screen? Just swipe it away or slide it off to the side until you need it. Windows 10 is the first platform designed to support holographic computer interfaces and programs via a dedicated API.
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From what I have been reading through and getting from the beta versions, this version of Windows is one that might have made the company even more great had it been released about 15 years ago. For the sake Microsoft, I hope this version is not another Windows 8 mistake.
What the hell is the hololens? Is this supposed to be like the thing Tony Stark uses where he’s moving 3d images around in his workshop with his hands? If so, that would be extremely rad. Not sure how practical it would be at this point because most people are just going on their computer to do whatever, not building iron man suits, but an interesting glimpse into the future.
Looks like you’ll have to use one of those gloves to move the images around kinda like Tom Cruise in Minority Report. That’s kinda cool, but not as cool as Iron Man. If this is the future of computing, I imagine I’d be one of those old school guys who still uses a keyboard and monitor into the next decade. Kinda like dudes who refused to give up betamax.
Pretty neat looking I must say, and as an old Halo gamer, it’s an interesting touch to have project spartan and Cortana. We’ll just have to see if it holds up as being as awesome as it sounds. By the way, they are up to 10 already? I remember when Windows 8 came out not too long ago when I was perfectly find with using XP.
Looks like they are trying to integrate using your PC with using an xbox as much as possible. I see this as a good thing as I had an xbox 360 and would have liked cross platform compatibility. May be a little too late though as Playstation 4 seems to be the system to go with over xbone. We’ll see what happens though.