Microsoft’s next operating system will be Windows 10 and they’re ready to tell the world more about it next week. On January 21st at 9am (PST) Microsoft will live stream a briefing called ‘Windows 10: The Next Chapter’.
It’s expected the company will discuss for the first time, consumer features and will demonstrate some new user-focused interface changes. Windows 10 will be an operating system for PC’s and tablets, but will also be a platform that stretches from IoT devices, to phones and even Xbox. This provides a universal platform that gives hope to the long time dream of developers to develop once and publish to many. Naturally there’d need to adaptability of the app, based on the hardware it is running on, but the core code could remain the same.
We’ll be up in the early hours of January 22nd (AEDST) to bring you all the news. The live stream is available at the link below and Microsoft will also make the video recording available after the event. What we don’t know yet is the company will release an update on the day, or as in the past, a few days later.
From the time Windows 10 Tech Preview was released, I’ve been living with Windows 10 on my Surface Pro 3. It’s a solid bump forward right now, addressing a number of complaints people had about Windows 8/8.1. Running the leaked build of 9901 has certainly been problematic, with usually a restart once or twice a day required to keep things ticking over. We seen the addition of an Cortana UI, but is basically not useable in this build. We should expect a consumer release to return the stability of earlier releases of the upcoming OS.
In terms of the phone, Windows Phone has been my platform of choice for more than 3 years now, but for a platform that’s in 3rd place, it’s moving frustratingly slow. If we get bit for anything next week, my hope is that it’s for the phone, at least an option for enthusiasts / developers to upgrade. The live tile interface is still the best home screen experience available, but the are large gaps in the capabilities of the platform and the app story. Almost every new service that arrives (especially in IoT) has two logos next to it, Apple and Android, no Windows Phone. Microsoft has to find a way for this to change, for companies and startups to build for their platform at least at the same pace as the big two. True universality of the apps is definitely one step towards that, but perhaps they need a better rev split than the standard 70/30.
Xbox One is the console with so much promise, supposedly it has the horsepower and the platform today, that would make it possible to run 3rd party apps. For some reason, Microsoft refuses to switch this on. Xbox One SmartGlass makes it a breeze to navigate (and potentially purchase) content from apps running on your TV, but they just can’t get it done. It would be a very welcome announcement next week if they finally unleash the developer community on the living room, to the largest display in your house.
More information at http://news.microsoft.com/windows10story/
