This past Wednesday, January 21st I was able to watch the Windows 10 Media Briefing. This was a great presentation. It gave a glimpse at what truly Microsoft is trying to create. It seems like Microsoft followed its true self. Failing and succeeding every other major release. But true to their fashion they seemed to have out done themselves on this one.
Microsoft’s vision has always been unification. As software always out performs hardware it truly wasn’t possible when they started this journey over a decade ago. I have been using Windows 10 Enterprise build 9879 for my home lab admin workstation. I technically haven’t truly used it to its full ability, but it has been good with the System Center consoles.
Enough of my jabbering, lets get to what I think are the key points on a enterprise management take.
Windows as a Service and FREE Windows 10 Upgrade
This is a interesting aspect on they way Microsoft is approaching this. Microsoft is implementing Software Assurance for everyone. I believe they are saying Windows 10 is the foundation of whatever they build or release in the future. It is a great way in getting people to upgrade.
This is more than a one-time upgrade: once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no cost. With Windows 10, the experience will evolve and get even better over time. We’ll deliver new features when they’re ready, not waiting for the next major release. We think of Windows as a Service – in fact, one could reasonably think of Windows in the next couple of years as one of the largest Internet services on the planet.
Cortana Everywhere
Cortana is coming to all your Windows devices. This is a great leap forward in creating a personal experience with your device. In which we all know we can’t live with out. I look forward in what Microsoft will do with Cortana.
Cortana learns your preferences to provide relevant recommendations, fast access to information, and important reminders. Interaction is natural and easy via talking or typing, with advanced features to control Cortana for more trustworthiness and transparency.
The Same OS for Your Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, and Phone
While phones will not run native Win32 applications it will still run your modern apps.
Windows 10 for phones and small tablets features a fast, fluid and familiar experience that seamlessly interacts with your PC.
Continuum Mode
I think this is what makes Windows 10’s possibilities so great. The intuitive approach for balancing touch enabled and traditional point and click devices. I am not going to say this will get rid of iPads in the enterprise, but when you are talking Surface Pro 3 as laptop and tablet killer. Right now iPads are used for executives who want mobility. Well if you give them a Surface Pro 3 instead of a laptop and iPad, this bring more simplicity and standardization to your environment.
On 2in1 devices, Windows 10 will move easily between keyboard/mouse and touch/tablet as it detects the transition and conveniently switches to the new mode.
Project “Spartan”
A intuitive browser for the web enabled world. This offering of a beefed up “Reading Lists” application. In what I do I don’t usually screen capture websites and draw on them. But saying that I do understand there is a whole industry of web development and business that would love this.
Code-named “Project Spartan,” the next generation browser was built with greater interoperability, reliability and discoverability, with a new look and feel built just for Windows 10. Advanced features include the ability to annotate by keyboard or pen directly on the webpage and easily share with friends, a reading view that is distraction free, displaying the article in a simplified layout for a great reading experience for Web articles online and offline, and the integration of Cortana for finding and doing things online faster.
Office Universal Apps on Windows 10
Being in the IT Operations industry, Office is 90% of the time a core application for a company. Microsoft finally did, with backlash from the Windows Phone and tablet community, released a touch centric version for the iPad and Android. This brings a touch-centric and rich document designing experience. I cannot wait to try this out.
Office universal apps on Windows 10 offer a consistent, touch-first experience across phone, tablet and PC with new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. Designed from the ground up to run on Windows, you can easily create and edit Word documents, annotate slides in real-time with new inking features or easily present PowerPoint presentations, and with new touch-first controls in Excel you can create or update spreadsheets without a keyboard or mouse. The next version of the Office desktop suite is also currently in development, more on this in the coming months.
Bonus: Microsoft’s Surface Hub
I am not going to speculate on this right now as Microsoft didn’t release a price for this yet. But its a 84″ computer focused on meetings and presentation. As you will see if you watch the briefing.
From no screen to 84”, with Microsoft Surface Hub we introduced a new large screen device designed for the way teams in the workplace naturally interact and come together. Custom versions of Skype for Business and OneNote are integrated into the Windows 10 shell to take full advantage of the built in cameras, sensors and mics, as well as the new screen that was built from the ground up for ink and touch. The Surface Hub features state of the art digital white boarding, instant remote conferencing, the ability for multiple people to share and edit content on the screen from any device, and a trusted platform for large-screen apps. Available in two sizes – 55” and 84” – the Surface Hub removes the current limitations of traditional conference room scenarios to empower teams to create their best work together.
Closing Thoughts
I think this is the most excited I have been for a Microsoft release; including the Xbox 360. I think the blend and unification will actually happen with this release. Especially the way Microsoft has planned this release.
Read the Windows’s blog here: http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/01/21/the-next-generation-of-windows-windows-10/
