Back in September we got our first look at the next version of Windows. It was a somewhat underwhelming affair, detailing the next steps Microsoft will take to retain their lead in corporate computing, and the gist of that announcement was focused on how to make their current version of Windows feel more like their last version of Windows.
But there’s a whole wide world of devices out now, and manufacturers are starting to deliver on hardware that blurs the lines between consumer tablets, laptops, desktops, and workstations. 
Taking the stage, Terry Myerson, Executive VP of Operating Systems, thanked the Windows Insider participants for their interactions with the Windows 10 BETA. Microsoft is working hard to make this version feel like it’s been built from a community perspective.
The focus moving forward is on ecosystem and tying data and devices together. Being able to move seamlessly from device to device with data and apps intact, for both business and consumer solutions, creating a “global” platform. Fragmentation was discussed, in attempting to move consumers on older operating systems up to something more current, free upgrades will be available at launch for all Windows and Windows Phone 8.1 users. After the first year Windows 7 users will also receive a free upgrade.
Windows 10 will start a new conversation for operating systems in that updates will be provided for the “supported” life of a device. Windows as a service, means that users will receive free updates to the OS as the device ages. Of course we don’t know how long the “supported life” of a gadget might be.
Desktop, Laptop, and Tablet Updates
Windows 10 is evolving rapidly. The Start Menu can now be expanded for a full screen view. This returns some of the touch screen functionality for tablet and convertible users. This will be augmented by a new “Tablet Mode”. Removing a keyboard, or flipping a screen around will now automatically transition all open apps and windows into a full screen mode for easier touch navigation. Very helpful updates for transitioning Windows to various screen sizes.
We’ll also see updates to the Charms Bar, improving the options and notifications found on the side of the screen. It looks like this will be the area for tablets to contain notifications like Android and iOS, and where you can find quick toggles for things like wireless radios.
Cortana
Microsoft’s Personal Digital Assistant on Windows Phone will be coming to PC’s and tablets. As it was on Windows Phone, search bars will be replaced by Cortana prompts for typing queries, and the same “Hey Cortana” voice action will activate a voice search.
We’ll also see improvements to Cortana’s “Notebook” the log of data Microsoft keeps on users to tailor fit Cortana’s searches and alerts. Users will be able to easily add info and interests, and as Cortana “learns” about users through search, if she “learns” something incorrectly, that info can be edited or deleted.
Cortana will also be tied into the desktop OS, for searching files and programs installed on the PC. Typing a search will offer up local, store, and web searches directly on your home screen, and voice actions will allow users to send emails entirely through speech.
Smaller Screens
Windows will now draw distinctions not between different types of gadgets, but based on screen size. Gadgets with eight inch screens and larger will receive a full PC version of Windows 10. Smaller than eight inches and we’ll see a more streamlined version of the operating system.
The app drawer gets a refresh, promoting newly installed apps to the top of the list. The notification shade gets improved handling of individual alerts, to swipe away individual messages, and there will be more options for quick toggles. Settings will also get an overhaul to match the layout and organization found on the desktop.
Alerts like texts will have improved options for replies directly from the notification in the shade, and voice transcription will be included for any area where the keyboard is accessible using the same speech to text engine used throughout the OS and Cortana.
As more carriers are moving to IP based solutions for voice and text, we will also see better integration for services like Skype. Users will be able to easily move calls and text conversations between different services.
Universal Apps will benefit all screen sizes in the Windows ecosystem. Developers can build one app for all screen sizes. This was demonstrated using preview builds of Word and Powerpoint on a Lumia 1520, maintaining formatting, and giving users the same ribbon and tool sets found on traditional desktop versions of Office apps. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint will come included on smaller screen versions of Windows 10.
Email also gets a refresh, the Outlook team has rebuilt the email app using the full Word engine for formatting content, and the experience will be universal between large and small screens.
Calendar and Photos apps will also receive similar treatment, offering a familiar interface which translates UI to optimize the experience for the screen size, and works with OneDrive to make sure user data is accessible across all screens.
Music will get an update to work with OneDrive, for a global repository for your Music. Like Google Play, users can upload their entire music collection to the cloud, and have it accessible online through any connected device.
A New Web Browser
Say goodbye to Internet Explorer, and say hello to “Project Spartan”. A new rendering engine will focus on speeding up complex web services, and new features will focus on sharing web content.
Note taking mode will allow touch users to jot notes directly on to sites before sharing. The Word engine will also allow for annotations for people on mouse on keyboard. This isn’t a screenshot, as text and links will still be active after being shared. After noting the content, Windows 10 built in options for sharing on social networking and email will retain edits and notes.
A new reading list will also keep track of your favorite sites, and move content offline, while syncing between all of your devices.
Spartan will also communicate directly with Cortana for searches, and Cortana will interact with info in web pages to perform rich notifications, preemptively alert users for things like calendar reminds, traffic updates, and flight information directly through the browser.
Spartan will also be a Universal App working across all screen sizes.
Entertainment and Gaming
Microsoft is leveraging their network on XBox to improve the experience on traditional PCs with a new XBox app on Windows 10.
All Windows 10 devices will allow users to catalog their games, keep track of friends and messages, and it will also be a universal device experience. Full support for voice and text chat will be supported cross platform. This new app will tie directly into features like sharing gameplay videos on the XBox One, but will work across the entire Windows 10 experience, supporting games purchased through other stores like Steam. Game recording will constantly buffer allowing players to capture the last 30 seconds of play before actually hitting the record button.
DirectX 12 will improve rendering and details tools for developers, giving them direct access to CPU and GPU hardware. For the same level of detail found in DX11, Microsoft claims they have cut power usage in half with DX12 to help improve battery life on mobile and battery powered devices.
Once developers begin supporting Windows 10, gamers will soon be able to play online cross platform. Coop and competitive matches will be enabled between XBox and PC.
Game streaming will also come to the XBox ecosystem. Games you own on XBox can now stream throughout your house on any Windws 10 PC or tablet using the new XBox app. After pairing a PC with an Xbox, all games installed, even console exclusives, will be accessible to stream play, with full support for online play.
Windows 10 will also be “moving to XBox” in bringing the Universal App ecosystem to consoles in the living room, further incentive for developers looking to produce one app for all the screens a user might own.
New Corporate Hardware?
The Microsoft Surface Hub was shown off, an 84″ 4K display with cameras, proximity sensors, and mics. Designed for corporate and collaborative applications running on Windows 10. Multiple users can share content, and split screen services for brainstorming and presentations.
The built in cameras and mics provide options for telecommuting and remote collaboration with screen sharing built in with special consideration given to the large screen area, and tools will share streams of the call to other participants at the completion of a group video call.
New Augmented Reality Hardware?
Immersive is the name of the game, literally, but Microsoft is moving away from traditional VR and ushering in augmented reality tools dubbed “Windows Holographic”.
API’s will be included in all Windows 10 builds for environmental awareness, as Universal Windows Apps across all screen sizes and even devices with no screens.
Of course you can’t use software alone, and HoloLens will be the first tool in the Windows 10 ecosystem to showcase HoloGraphic content. 3D and spatial audio will give a sense of proximity, see through HD displays are built into the lenses, sensors understand your movements and speech, and in addition to CPU and GPU there’s a dedicated processor just for the holographic items. This “HPU” enables native augmented reality built into the headset, no markers, no external cameras, no connection to another computing device. This means Holo Apps can be accessed from any computing platform, as HoloLens handles the actual load of translating augmented reality elements.
There are any number of possible usage scenarios for augmented reality, from gaming, to communication, to 3D modeling, medical research, and engineering. A live demo during the keynote showed off some fairly sophisticated spatial awareness, docking apps onto walls, and building a 3D model of a quad copter in space.
Windows 10 BETA Availability?
Microsoft is starting to bring pieces together. When Redmond announced their reorganization a couple years ago, the major issue facing this company was team work. Now products are starting to integrate across software and hardware platforms.
Windows Insider participants should expect to see PC updates with some of these newly announced features over the next week, and phone users looking to BETA windows 10 on smaller screens should have access “after the Super Bowl”.
Great article. Looking forward to see how MS takes this going forward.
One thing, I think Windows 7 (along with Windows 8) users can upgrade for free as long as it’s within the first year, not after the first year.