UPDATED 15:00 EDT / JANUARY 19 2015

Microsoft Announces Windows 10 NEWS

R.I.P. Windows 8: Here’s 6 things to know about Windows 10

Microsoft Announces Windows 10

Microsoft plans to reveal more information about Windows 10 on January 21 at the company’s Redmond, WA, headquarters. The event is expected to shed light on the consumer side of Windows 10, and how the platform will revolutionize operating systems.

Windows 10 is said to be a universal platform for desktop, smartphones and tablets, and this release is highly anticipated, especially after the disappointing release of Windows 8, plagued with bugs and missing features. Windows 8 failed to deliver a universal platform experience for users.

Indicative of the missed opportunity with Windows 8, its user base is a mere 13.52 percent according to NetMarketShare, dismal in comparison to the 56.26 percent share of Windows 7, which is already five years old.

“The stakes are incredibly high,” said Roger Kay, an analyst at market intelligence firm Endpoint Technologies Associates, in a CNet article. “The earth around Windows 8 was so scorched, they couldn’t even name the next one Windows 9.” In the article, Kay also added that due to the Windows 8 failures, Microsoft must “redeem themselves” with Windows 10.

Will Windows 10 be Microsoft’s saving grace, or will it continue to disappoint consumers? And what features are you looking forward to? Here are 6 important expectations to know about the pending release of Windows 10.

It will be a free upgrade

 

It seems Microsoft will be taking a page from Apple’s book and offer Windows 10 as a free upgrade if you’re using Windows 8. There’s also a possibility that Windows 10 will use a subscription-based model, so instead of paying a one-time fee, users may be charged on a monthly or yearly basis.

No news yet as to what Microsoft is really planning for the price of Windows 10, but after being disappointed with Windows 8, consumers will be delighted if Windows 10 is offered as a free upgrade.

Voice assistance

 

Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana, was designed and built for Windows Phone, but it will be making its appearance on the desktop with Windows 10 if reports prove to be true. Cortana for desktop will be integrated into the Windows Search interface, which allows users to use their voice when they look for something on Windows 10.

Cortana for desktop looks similar to Cortana on Windows Phone, which will not come as a surprise since Cortana, as stated earlier, was designed for mobile use.

This is Sparta!

 

If you visit Internet gag sites, you’ve likely come across jokes or memes about how bad Internet Explorer (IE) is and that people only use it to download a new browser. Yes, IE has taken some hits over the years, and for those who have used it, they know how bad the browser can be.

There have been reports that Windows 10 will come with a whole new web browser, codenamed Sparta, and Cortana is said to be playing a huge role in the web browser’s user experience. The question now is: Will Sparta be as kick ass as the 300 warriors that fought thousands?

Xbox app

 

Windows 10 is expected to still feature live tiles or apps, and one of the new apps that will be added is the Xbox app that gives users direct access to their gaming accounts. The Xbox app will allow users to visit the Xbox Store and view their friends list, activity feed, achievements and more. Oh, and it will probably be integrated with SmartGlass.

Selective Sync

 

OneDrive users will be delighted with the new Selective Sync feature, which allows them to choose which files will be saved on their PC for offline use. In the current version, OneDrive chooses the files to make available offline, which results in user confusion. Users thought that their files were available offline, but they were not. Another change: The OneDrive app will be removed, which means the only way you can access it is via the File Explorer.

More highlights

 

Other things coming to Windows 10 include new animations in the TaskView switcher, a new settings app interface that closely resembles the old control panel, and the Windows Store will feature movies, music and TV categories next to the applications.

Also included will be three-finger gestures for those who are fond of using trackpads; the icon of the charms menu has been redesigned to feature a new hamburger-style icon of three horizontal lines that replaces the three dots icon that is often missed by users.


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