Windows 10 will be Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s single platform for developing apps across all devices, from smartphones to huge PCs with displays that hang on the wall. Management emphasized, however, that Windows 10 will not be a one-size-fits-all operating system and instead will vary a bit from device to device.
Of course the point is to optimize Windows 10 so that it will work as best as it possibly can on the different types of devices.
Business customers get Windows 10 first
Microsoft management said they are beginning to talk with enterprise customers today, pointing out that they still buy PCs and that sales to businesses increased 14% in the first half of this year. The priority for business customers is that Windows remains familiar so that there is no learning curve for employees. If they have to spend time learning a new operating system, it interferes with productivity.
A second priority is “modern management” for enterprise customers’ many computers.
Enterprise customers will find that Windows 10 runs all the old enterprise apps and that IT managers are able to manage all devices on the operating system, customizing internal app stores. They added that there aren’t going to be that many consumer-focused features because the operating system will focus on enterprise users.
A peek at Windows 10
Management said Windows 10 will be Microsoft’s “greatest platform ever.” The company is unifying the app store across all devices, following its One Microsoft initiative and creating one Windows for all devices. Developers are able to write only one app, and it will run on all Windows 10 devices. The new version of the operating system is also backwards compatible with older Windows apps.
The desktop has returned, along with the Start button, and it looks more similar to Windows 7 than Windows 8. All of Windows 8 hasn’t disappeared though, as users can adjust their Live Tiles in the start menu. Windows 10 is essentially a sort of hybrid of the tablet experience on Windows 8 and the desktop experience from Windows 7 and prior versions.
Windows 8 apps will also work in desktop mode with a mouse and keyboard. In addition, Microsoft has added a task view button to enable users to easily switch between apps. The company also has enabled snap, which allows users to snap more than one app together into a single full-screen view.
Interestingly, management also demoed Command Prompt, which harkens back to some of the earliest years of computing. They also showed off the new touch features, enabling users to even swipe around the desktop. Microsoft also showed the Continuum feature, which changes the interface based on the type of device Windows 10 is on. There’s also a tablet mode for hybrid devices, which is activated by simply disconnecting the keyboard.
