Microsoft To Show More Of Windows 10 On Jan. 21

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Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has just sent out media invites for an event on Jan. 21 that will be held at its headquarters. Usually technology companies like to build some suspense heading into their big events, but Microsoft’s cutting right to the chase on this one. The title on the media invites reads: “Join us to hear about the next chapter of Windows 10.”

Details on Microsoft’s planned event

The Next Web and several other major tech websites report that the event will begin at 9 a.m. Pacific on Jan. 21 at Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash. headquarters. The company plans to stream the presentation part of the event live.

The timing of the event in the second half of January lines up with a rumor we heard earlier this month that the consumer preview of Windows 10 would be available in late January. Microsoft already showed off some parts of Windows 10 in September. The company showed off a technical build of the new operating system. In that build, the Live Tiles that were introduced in Windows 8 were moved and became part of the Start button.

What to expect at the Windows 10 event

The focus of that technical preview was enterprise users, but the January event will apparently focus on the consumer experience rather than enterprise users. ZDNet‘s Mary Jo Foley reports that Microsoft will be showing off more than just the Windows 10 operating system itself.

Her sources reportedly said the company will unveil the combined Windows Phone – Windows RT Windows 10 mobile SKU. That product expected to run not only on Windows Phones but also on tablets that are based on Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s and ARM Holdings plc (ADR) (NASDAQ:ARMH) (LON:ARM)’s architecture. Her sources also said that particular version of Windows 10 won’t have a desktop and will only run Metro-style apps from the Windows Store.

Windows 10 JTP expected too

Additionally, Foley’s sources said Microsoft will probably also show off the Windows 10 January Technical Preview. That should be the operating system’s next release for Windows Insider testers. Her sources also reportedly said the preview will offer support for Continuum, a feature than enables users with hybrid devices to transition between modes more easily whenever their disconnecting or connecting keyboards to their device. It’s also believed that this preview will be the first in which Microsoft will turn on integration of its Cortana digital personal assistant.

In terms of the mobile version of Windows 10, Foley is unsure when external testers will be able to get their hands on it. She has apparently heard that the mobile version is in limited testing within its Operating Systems Group. She believes the mobile version needs to undergo more internal testing at Microsoft before the company will release it to testers outside.

Shares of Microsoft Corporation edged upward more than 1% during regular trading today.

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