Now Windows 10 is available to use with its all new exciting features. One of the biggest new developments in the Windows 10 story is that
it will be completely free to upgrade. Microsoft made this announcement
at its January event in Redmond.The firm has said it will be available at no charge for the first
year (although it may end up extending that) for Windows 8.1 and Windows
Phone 8.1 users. It will also be free if you're still running Windows
7.
New features in Windows 10: Start Menu
As we knew prior to the January briefing, Windows 10 will mark the
return of the much loved Start Menu. In the latest build shown, it has
some updated graphics and can optionally go full-screen. Half of the
menu looks pretty much like it did in Windows 7 but there's the obvious
addition of Live Tiles.
New features in Windows 10: Cortana
As we expected, Cortana is one of the headline features of Windows 10
– at least as far as Microsoft is concerned. The digital assistant,
which rivals Siri and Google Now, has been available on Windows Phone
for a while will come to PCs and tablets.
Cortana will sit next to with the Start button on the desktop, but
you can invoke it by saying "Hey Cortana". You'll also be able to edit
the things that Cortana knows about you to improve the service it
provides. Typing to interact is also an option and you can request "show
me photos from December" or "Show me PowerPoint slides about the
charity presentation".
New features in Windows 10: Xbox app and streaming
There's good news for gamers as not only with the Xbox One
get Windows 10 (including Universal apps – see below), Microsoft has
introduced some sweet new features. Windows 10 will come with the Xbox
app (although there was no mention of Windows 10 for phones getting it)
which has features like the ability to control the Xbox One and a DVR
capture for any Windows games.
Furthermore, you'll be able to play multiplayer games cross-platform
between Xbox One and PC. As if that wasn't enough, Windows 10 will
support the ability to stream games from the Xbox Box – although we
don't have details on the technical requirements for this yet. Oh and
there's support for DirectX 12.
New features in Windows 10: Universal apps
The news of Universal apps is good news for anyone using more than
one Windows device. A bundle of apps including Photos, Videos, Music,
Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar (and presumably
more in the future) will look and feel the same across different devices
and screen sizes. The data will also be saved and sync automatically
via OneDrive.
New features in Windows 10: Spartan browser
It's unclear whether this will be the new Internet Explorer but
Windows 10 will come with a new browser called 'Project Spartan'. It's
been built with 'interoperability' in mind, according to Microsoft.
Features include a reading mode and the ability to annotate, either with
a keyboard, pen or a finger. There's also integration with Cortana to
provide additional information – for example, when you're on a web page
for a restaurant Cortana will make a booking and display information
such as opening times.
New features in Windows 10: Enhancements
Thanks to the Windows Insider program, Microsoft is making changes
suggested by Windows users around the globe. Since Windows 10 runs
across all devices, the OS will have unified settings. That means the
end of separate control panel and PC settings. There's also the Action
Center now provides notifications and is synchronised across devices.
New features in Windows 10: Windows Phone
It looks like the death of Windows Phone is near as Windows 10 will
arrive on Windows Phone devices when it launches. Microsoft has given no
other name for it running on smartphone and small tablets.
In general it looks much the same as Windows Phone 8 but with tweaks.
As mentioned above, Action Center is synced with your other devices and
the app menu will show recently installed apps at the top. Two cool new
additions are the ability to float the keyboard around the screen and
reply to message notifications in-line.
New features in Windows 10: HoloLens
This one might be somewhat far off and futuristic, but Windows 10 is
the first holographic computing platform. A set of APIs will mean
developers can create holographic experiences in the real world.
It's more like augmented reality to us but it's certainly
interesting. It will work with the HoloLens which Microsoft calls the
world’s first untethered holographic computer (it doesn't need to
connect to a PC to work).
New features in Windows 10: Continuum Mode
On 2 in1 devices (hybrids and convertibles), Windows 10 will make life
easier with a 'Continuum Mode'. This means the OS moves easily between laptop (keyboard/mouse) and tablet (touch) usage modes automatically. It will do this if it detects the loss or addition of a keyboard.
*I hope these new features will definitely excite you to change your OS to Windows 10.
