Providing a single experience across the broadest range of devices
Microsoft has launched Windows 10 today, which is now available across 190 countries as a free upgrade for most users. The platform has been designed to provide a single experience that extends across the broadest range of devices, smartphones to tablets to PCs.
Windows 10 has been built with feedback from five million Windows Insiders, delivered as a service with ongoing innovations and security updates, and offered as a free upgrade to genuine Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 customers.
In the Microsoft blog, Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s executive vice president of the Windows and devices group, said: “For Microsoft, Windows 10 begins to deliver on our vision for more personal computing. In this world experiences are mobile, moving with you seamlessly and easily across your devices. Interacting with technology is as natural as interacting with people – using voice, pen, gestures and even gaze for the right interaction, in the right way, at the right time.”
Over the months since its announcement, Microsoft noted it has demonstrated how Windows 10 will deliver new capabilities to PCs, tablets, smartphones, and Raspberry Pi, with innovations like Microsoft Edge, Cortana, Continuum and Windows Hello, and how entirely new categories of devices like Hololens and Surface Hub, will be enabled with Windows 10.
Interacting with technology based on Windows 10 is supposed to be as natural as interacting with people, using voice, pen, gestures and even gaze for the right interaction, in the right way, at the right time.
Windows 10 has been made fast and familiar for users. With the familiar Start menu, Taskbar, and Desktop users are already used to plus Live Tiles providing streaming updates instantly, Windows 10 is designed to be compatible with the hardware, software and peripherals the user already owns. Also, free updates will help keep users current on features and security while OneDrive online storage, means users can easily share and keep files up to date across all devices.
Microsoft stated that in a world of cyber threats, Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever, offering enhanced Windows Defender and Smart Screen to help safeguard against viruses, malware and phishing.
Additionally, new Office Mobile apps on Windows 10 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote – are available now in the Windows Store. Built for on-the-go scenarios, the Office Mobile apps offer a consistent, touch-first experience for small tablets. Users can easily switch between apps and stay organised with Snap and Task View; Continuum optimises the user’s apps and experience across touch and desktop modes.
Finally, Windows 10 offers the new Microsoft Edge browser that allows users to quickly browse, read, and even mark up and share the web, an integrated Xbox app that delivers the Xbox experience to Windows 10, plus the Companion Phone app lets users set up their iPhone, Android or Windows phone to work seamlessly with their Windows device.
Small businesses can upgrade for free to Windows 10 from genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets. Meanwhile, all enterprise customers can begin testing and planning their deployment now.
The new Windows Store opens today and is now accepting new apps for Windows 10. Windows Store is the only Store where you can use Cortana to control apps with your voice and get real time notifications on app tiles.
