Yes, Microsoft is working on a new version of Windows, and no, contrary to what a lot of people thought, it will not be called Windows 9. The Redmond giant surprised a lot of people when it took the covers off the next edition of Windows, which will be known as Windows 10. By Abhijit Ahaskar
A new Windows OS is in the making. Its prototype was shown off recently in California and it soon will be made available through Windows Insider Program for preview for developers and members before it is finally released for the general public some time next year. Windows 10 OS (yes, there will be no Windows 9) is full of surprises, but also treads on familiar territory with the focus on offering a more universal Windows OS. To begin with, the new operating system is designed in line with Microsoft’s new strategy which focuses more on cloud and mobile platforms. So, when it came to naming the product, Microsoft decided against naming it Windows 9. The company feels Windows 10 is a major leap and calling it Windows 10 conveys the message better.
Enterprise first
Microsoft considers enterprise users as its most important customers. Windows 8 failed to impress many as it had very few things in common, in terms of design and use, with the previous operating systems. The focus was more on touch and the new tile interface and the old desktop experience was also given a new look and feel. If Microsoft was lauded for its innovation, it was also slammed for not keeping a balance between the old and the new. A lot of users felt more at home with a full-fledged PC and not a half breed tablet PC. Windows 10 brings that familiarity, known to users of Windows 7, back. It is going to be familiar to all Windows users no matter which Windows OS they are coming from, and is going to be compatible with all the apps and tools running on previous versions of Windows.
Multiple devices, one experience
The existence of multiple devices of multiple sizes is a dilemma that present day corporate world has to live with. For enterprise, managing so many devices can be a formidable challenge, unless they all can be handled through a single platform. Windows 10 is that single platform that can run on multiple devices of different screen sizes, offering a tailor-made experience on all. Windows 10 allows its users to manage all devices including PCs, tablets and mobile with one mobile device management interface. Security is another concern that enterprise wanted to be addressed better. Microsoft claims that Windows 10 is more secure than its predecessors as it separates and protects corporate data from personal data across all devices.
Improving the experience
The pace of evolution in tablets and mobile has been relatively more rapid as compared to PCs. Windows 10 is built on the premise of making the user experience better, more advanced and more comprehensive. Bringing back the old was not enough, so new features were added as well. Some notable features include:
Start Menu - Leaving out the Start Menu in Windows 8 was a move that did not go down well with the Windows faithful. The new OS brings it back. And it doesn’t come alone but with some elements of Windows 8. A live tile inventory has been added with the Start menu. The inventory can be customized, so can the apps on it but the most interesting feature is the ability to resize the Start Menu.
Title Bar- Windows 10 also brings back the title bar, and runs in a manner similar to the classic Windows apps. Users can drag it anywhere on the screen, resize and close it or minimize it. One can also lay out two or more than two Windows apps side by side, and keep them open simultaneously.
Task view - A new button called Task View on taskbar has been added, enabling a user to move across swiftly from one task to another. This is going to be handy for users, as it gives them a glimpse of all apps running in the background, and allows seamless movement from one to another.
Shortcut keyboard - The keyboard remains the most popular mode input mode on PCs. Windows 10 introduces a higher level of integration with keyboard. Professional users can jump to apps and control a great deal of action on their PC with their keyboard and achieve higher productivity in lesser time.
From type to touch automatically - The touch aspect which confused many users in Windows 8 has been better handled in Windows 10. A convertible or hybrid PC will automatically shift to a tablet mode the moment a keyboard is detached. The new OS seems one of the most comprehensive reworkings of Windows we have seen. It attempts to bridge the gap between the past and the present editions of the OS, even while focusing on enterprise and attempting to improve the desktop experience. The consumer version of Windows 10 is expected only in the latter half of 2015, but its technical preview is available for download. Stay tuned for more news in this regard. After all, there’s a new Windows in tech town
