Since the launch of Windows 8 there have been problems on the Microsoft front. The adoption rate commercially has been about 10% and for enterprises it has a similar or lower rate. The loss of the Windows start bar and bottom right taskbar window in Windows 8 was met with massive uproar which they quickly remedied in Windows 8.1. This however didn’t stop criticism of Windows 8, as users found it difficult to use.

On the 21 January Microsoft debut their new operating system Windows 10, skipping Windows 9 in an attempt to prove that this will be a great improvement from Windows 8. One big selling point of Windows 10 is that it will be free to upgrade for the first year. This should increase the number of users who have been traumatized from their Windows 8 experience.

Windows 10 features

Continuum (seamless change between UI)

Continuum is the new process of being able to switch seamlessly between keyboard/mouse or touch screen/tablet where the screen size automatically re-sizes and gives you an option of which user interface to use.

Universal Windows

Microsoft boasts Windows 10 new ability to seamlessly change between several devices ranging from laptop to Windows mobile smartphone. It enables you to continue what you were doing on one device on another, through one drive cloud which saves your progress.

Cortana (Halo spin off?)

Cortana is Microsoft’s Siri (Apple iPhone’s personal assistant) which is able to take voice commands, to search, follow commands and answer questions. For example: user asks Cortana whether he will need an umbrella tomorrow. Cortana replies that it probably won’t be necessary and goes on to give a weather report for the following day. This is in an effort to make devices more user friendly and hands free.

HoloLens headset

Holographic lens headgear was also revealed, and will work with all Windows 10 universal apps. It could be argued that the Hololens was Microsoft’s answer to Oculus Rift, but we will only know more when it is released. The glasses have see-through lenses which will overlay images onto the real world, producing what has been called “an immersive holographic experience”. This will possibly give a more interactive and new feel to gaming such as has never been seen before.

 Spartan project (new Internet Explorer)

The new Internet Explorer dubbed Spartan will have Cortana built in with more user friendly features such as scribble notes on websites which can be discussed live. With a new look and feel, Microsoft will try to reclaim the Explorer cyber race.

Xbox One streaming games

The Xbox One will feature the 2-1 device seamless change where games can be played live across different platforms. There will also be a feature to stream games to the Xbox One enabling the user to play a game without the CD and the installation. Furthermore, there is also some conjecture that some Windows 10 features will be incorporated into Xbox One.

84-inch Microsoft Surface Hub

Lastly, the 84-inch Microsoft Surface Hub is a large tablet for business purposes valued at about $4 000. It can be used as a whiteboard, for presentations and for video chat.

Conclusion

All in all, this new OS with all the new features and two new devices seems to have captured everyone’s attention.  There are high expectations from Windows 10 and Microsoft obviously hopes to win back their customers’ loyalty with this new developments.