Windows 10

Microsoft has released the technical preview of their latest version of Windows that is named Windows 10. Interestingly, the software giant has skipped number 9, signifying a big leap in terms of user experience, design and features. Surely there are some noticeable changes in the new version of Windows that hopefully reverses the
damage done by Windows 8, which was not satisfactorily accepted by a large number of users.

Uniformity across all devices
You might be thinking why we are talking about Windows 10 in this segment which is all about Mobile operating systems. The reason is that Microsoft Windows 10 will be unified across all types of devices that include future tablets, 2in1s and smartphones with varying display sizes from 4 to 8 inches.

It will result in an ecosystem that will provide better control over the devices. The much awaited Start button The good old Start button is back on the new Windows 10 with some additions.

The left side of the window will be standard and will include all the basic operations just like Windows 7, but the right side will contain the Metrostyle live tiles that you can customize. You can turn off the
right side or pin, unpin and change the size of the tiles and whole Start window. So, we can say that Microsoft is not ready to ditch its metro style tiles, it just merged the old and new.

Virtual desktops

With Windows 10, you can use virtual desktops that allow switching between as many desktops as you like. This feature is available with some Linux window managers and via third-party Windows tools for years, but now it’ll be native in Windows 10.

So you can carry out multimedia tasks on one desktop and productivity on a different one with Ctrl + Windows shortcut.

The new task manager

One of the most handy and usable feature of Windows, the Alt + Tab also gets an update. Now it displays all the opened apps across all of your virtual desktops in thumbnails just like iOS 8 and Android phones and in Macintosh. You can easily switch to any opened app and close it just by clicking on the cross when the mouse rolls
over thumbnail.

Snap Assist also gets a boost
The original Snap Assist which was introduced in Windows 7 is now much faster, simpler and intuitive. To snap an app, you just need to click on the title bar and drag it to the either corner of the desktop. Then the new ‘Snap Assist’ feature will pop up and will display the list of open windows so that you can choose anyone. Just click on
it and it will adjust on the adjacent side of the already snapped application.

Continuum
The new Continuum feature will allow users to switch between touch and non-touch devices without any manual operation. It is exclusively designed by keeping in mind the 2in1 devices such as Lenovo’s Yoga devices and Surface tablets.

The device will automatically determine whether you have attached a dock keypad or using without it. For instance, it there is no keyboard, then a back button appears to help you navigate the desktop with touch.

Windows 10 will feature Universal apps
Windows 10 has a new app model - Universal Windows apps, the new name for Metro apps/Modern apps/ Windows Store apps. Though, we don’t know whether it will work on Windows phones or not, but the capability allows the OS to run on all devices from phones to servers and there will be a single app store across the lot.

All older Windows Store apps will work with Windows 10
With the new version of Windows, users will have plenty of
other features for enterprise, including a customized store and protection for corporate data. It will keep personal and corporate data separate as well as all devices would be manageable by Mobile Device Management.

Flatter User Interface

There will be changes in the graphical interface of Windows 10. The leaked Windows 10 technical preview shows some flatter icons and much thinner window borders. The approach is to make the overall UI minimal and appealing to eyes and that can be seen in the design of the new Windows 10 UI. The icons in the system folder and the task manager also give a cleaner look.
Universal Search in Start menu
A small but useful upgrade in the Search tool of Start menu will not only let you search the files and programs of your system, but it will also offer search results from Internet. The search will be powered by Windows Bing. We tried it and it works as claimed.
The Cortana assistance on Windows 10

The Siri and Google Voice counterpart of Windows, the Cortana will make an entry on Windows 10. It will be a good addition, as the software is able to provide relevant information by determining your location and your activity on internet.

You can ask for hotels, movies playing around you, set reminders, notes and a lot more. Some other features include: more control on OS i.e. now you can pin Recycle Bin and many other things such as
apps, bookmarks, notes, etc.

The new Command Prompt will be highly customizable and will take new keyboard controls like ctrl+c and ctrl+v for copy and paste. (The complete list of controls is not out yet) There will be a new notification centre and we are also expecting a new Internet explorer that will take extensions of Safari and Google Chrome.