Microsoft has announced their new and significantly improved operating system for desktops, smartphones and tablets, officially called Windows 10. It will be a unified operating system, able to work on multiple platforms – possibly even Microsoft’s Xbox consoles. Given its cross-platform nature, the new OS will feature advanced customization – it will have to work on small screens like smartphones and tablets and even on huge screens like LED TVs and monitors. And, as Microsoft promises, it will look great on each of them.
The majority of Microsoft Windows users were demanding the Start Menu back – and their wish will come true with the new Windows version. It will be a combination of the classic Start menu in Windows 7 and the live tiles used by Windows 8, and its shape will be customizable to fit the user’s needs. The developer promises a Windows store, containing apps for all types of devices running Windows 10. Given that the OS will run on everything from desktop to smartphone, it’s likely that apps built to run on a tablet will also run on a desktop PC with the same OS. This is a good thing, especially if you are a fan of casual games.
Windows 10 will allow its users to work with apps easier than before. Its new “quadrant” layout will allow snapping four app windows on the same screen at the same time. Besides, snapping windows by dragging them to a side of the screen will evolve further, allowing users to snap a window on the left, reduce its size and snap another window to occupy the remaining space. Nice one, I like this. Windows users have stayed away from Windows 8, considering it too different from what they were used to, and too much focusing on touchscreen devices. Actually, I have seen Windows 8 running on a desktop PC just as any previous version would (minus the Start Menu of course). But the fact remains: Windows 8 was a disappointment for most users, and Microsoft as well. Windows 10 is expected to change that, and have business users jump on it early.
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Microsoft will open up a technical preview of the new OS very soon, allowing heavy users and enthusiasts to experience the new software before its release, and provide feedback on its functionality. Until then… we’ll have to make do with what we have. There is just one thing bothering me about all this: why did Microsoft just skip Windows 9?