Hey! Did you hear? Microsoft held its second Windows 10 conference today! Oh, you missed it? Well don't worry! Senshudo TV is here to recap all of the major announcements you missed!
Thats right! Microsoft peeled back the veil of Windows 10 a little more January 22nd! During their two hour conference, they revealed some amazing information about Windows 10 and the future of Windows and Microsoft as a whole.
Microsoft started the day by announcing that for the first year of sale from launch day Windows 10 would be available for free to all Windows 7, 8.1, and Windows Phone 8 users. This is a huge step forward for Microsoft and is a step in the right direction after their ghastly Windows 8 early adoption numbers. Windows Insiders will get a new build of Windows 10 to test out next week and will be the first ones to get Windows Phone 10 at some point in February as well.
Microsoft also confirmed that Cortana is coming to PC's with Windows 10. Not only are they bringing the popular Windows Phone virtual assistant to the PC, they're giving her some pretty amazing PC-centric upgrades and features. Cortana can set reminders and make appointments as always, but she will also have specific PC functions such as the ability to index and search not only your PC, but One Drive and One Drive for Business for documents containing certain keywords you speak. It all sounds amazing and we can't wait to see more!
Windows 10 will finally feature universal applications. This means that data from certain applications (such as the Photo application) will be synced across all of your Windows devices without having to sync them manually. Any Windows 10 “Action Center” settings will automatically sync across all of your Windows 10 devices as well, a feature many users have longed for since Apple implemented it in their software awhile back.
We also got new information on Fable Legends, Lionhead Studio's latest entry into the Fable series. Microsoft revealed that Fable Legends will feature cross platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 PC's! Fable Legends will also have DirectX 12 support on Windows 10. This is a huge development for PC and Xbox owners who have longed to play together on various cross platform games. This could be the start of a new revolution in the gaming industry!
The new Windows 10 browser Codename Spartan was also spoken of a bit more in depth. Microsoft revealed a few new features for the browser including full integration with the Cortana Virtual Assistant and the ability for users to take notes directly on web pages and then share them via email or social media with their co-workers or friends respectively.
The Microsoft Surface Hub was also revealed today. With its massive 84 inch 4K display, the Surface Hub was designed to streamline business meetings and features built in microphones, cameras, and more! No price or release date was set for this but this sure did surprise and impress!
Speaking of surprising things, Microsoft announced Windows Holographic. A hologram project that allows its users to interact with a digital environment that has been created. It requires the use of the Microsoft HoloLens which allows users to create holograms that can be printed with a 3D printer in the Microsoft Holo Studio.
Along with the HoloLens announcement, Microsoft teased that popular multi-platform game Minecraft could have a bright and amazing future with the HoloLens, allowing the millions of Minecraft players to feel as if they're living in their own created 8-bit worlds!
Finally, Microsoft revealed that it has been working on an application to stream Xbox One games to your PC and tablet with the Xbox App. The Windows 10 Xbox Application will allow you to access your friends list, message, and more. It will also allow you to stream your games right to your tablet or PC running Windows 10. Windows 10 will also feature a Game DVR setting similar to what is already on the Xbox One so gameplay can be recorded and shared with your friends and family via social media.
All in all, Microsoft really wowed and impressed today with their Windows 10 conference and believe it or not, more conferences like this one are on the way! Do these new changes to Windows excite you? Let us know in the comments!