This morning, Microsoft finally released all the nitty-gritty details on Windows 10 for PC, including the release date on July 29, upgrade requirements and how to reserve your copy.
Microsoft's Joe Belfiore is featured in a new seven-minute video that breaks down all the new goodies in Windows 10 in a clear, understandable fashion. Although most of the main chapters, broken down below, are familiar to our readers, the video is a good summary of what users should expect in their free upgrade due late next month.
The one new thing that was spotted in the video by Neowin was notifications from Cortana. These notifications appear over the search area when active and scroll across the screen like a news ticker. So far, we have not seen this feature in any of the current Insider builds, but perhaps it is coming in the next one (10134).
The Cortana notifications can be spotted at the 1:25 mark in the video.
Cortana is certainly integral to Windows 10, playing a part in the OS for searches, reminders, and even integrating into the new Microsoft Edge browser. Adding this scrolling notification is a great higher-order notification than the current fly in one, which could be missed.
As to the rest of the video, here are the main highlights below.
- 0:00 Intro: launch date, free upgrade, new PCs designed for Windows 10
- 0:27 Windows 10 is "familiar" with desktop Start bar, Start Menu
- 1:00 Cortana "the world's only personal digital assistant…built right into the Windows 10 experience", features of Cortana, knowledge, write an email for me, reminders. Cortana on mobile, built into Windows Phone, as an app for iOS and Android
- 2:36 Windows Hello: How it works, requires new hardware
- 3:08 Microsoft Edge: incredibly fast, take notes directly on the web page, simplified Reading view, Cortana built in
- 4:37 Microsoft Office and More: Touch first, optimized for viewing, editing and comments. Fast, fluid and helps you work "in a more modern way".
- 5:30 Xbox on Windows: Supports your current games, Store with new games, DirectX12, bringing Xbox Live to the PC (earn achievements, talk to friends), lets Xbox One owners stream games to any PC at home
- 6:33 Getting Windows 10: "Built for today's modern computing" "…it's way more fun".
Overall, the video serves as a good template for users to know and learn about Windows 10 and what to expect come the end of July.
Admittedly, Microsoft has lowered the bar here for many users to adopt the new OS. Whether it is the digital upgrade for any Windows 7 or higher user, new PCs hitting the Store shelves, or the free price, Windows 10 should be on many PCs by late Fall.
However, it remains to be seen how people react to the new OS and whether Windows 10 Mobile can successfully ride in the wake of Windows 10 PCs rollout.
