Windows 10 is upon us at long last. Whether you've updraded or not,
here are the best 10 features of the upcoming operating system. See
also: Windows 10 hands-on review.
Microsoft had a lot to say during its January briefing and gave a look
at what Windows 10 will look like in terms of end user features and
the final version is now here. If you missed the event, you can replay
it on our Windows 10 launch as it happened page. See: How to get
Windows 10 now.
Best new features in Windows 10: It's free
One of the biggest new developments in the Windows 10 story is that it
will be completely free to upgrade. Microsoft made this announcement
at its January event in Redmond. The firm has said it will be
available at no charge for the first year (although it may end up
extending that) for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users. It will
also be free if you're still running Windows 7.
However, it's not quite as simple as it might appear so you'll want to
read will my PC get Windows 10?
Best new features in Windows 10: Start Menu
As we knew prior to the January briefing, Windows 10 will mark the
return of the much loved Start Menu. In the latest build shown, it has
some updated graphics and can optionally go full-screen. Half of the
menu looks pretty much like it did in Windows 7 but there's the
obvious addition of Live Tiles.
Best new features in Windows 10: Cortana
As we expected, Cortana is one of the headline features of Windows 10
– at least as far as Microsoft is concerned. The digital assistant,
which rivals Siri and Google Now, has been available on Windows Phone
for a while will come to PCs and tablets.
Cortana will sit next to with the Start button on the desktop, but you
can invoke it by saying "Hey Cortana". You'll also be able to edit the
things that Cortana knows about you to improve the service it
provides. Typing to interact is also an option and you can request
"show me photos from December" or "Show me PowerPoint slides about the
charity presentation".
Best new features in Windows 10: Xbox app and streaming
There's good news for gamers as not only with the Xbox One get Windows
10 (including Universal apps – see below), Microsoft has introduced
some sweet new features. Windows 10 will come with the Xbox app
(although there was no mention of Windows 10 for phones getting it)
which has features like the ability to control the Xbox One and a DVR
capture for any Windows games.
Furthermore, you'll be able to play multiplayer games cross-platform
between Xbox One and PC. As if that wasn't enough, Windows 10 will
support the ability to stream games from the Xbox Box – although we
don't have details on the technical requirements for this yet. Oh and
there's support for DirectX 12.
Best new features in Windows 10: Universal apps
The news of Universal apps is good news for anyone using more than one
Windows device. A bundle of apps including Photos, Videos, Music,
Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar (and presumably more in
the future) will look and feel the same across different devices and
screen sizes. The data will also be saved and sync automatically via
OneDrive.
Best new features in Windows 10: Edge browser
Microsoft's new web browser is called Edge, formally 'Project Spartan'
and will replace Internet Explorer in Windows 10. It's been built with
'interoperability' in mind, according to Microsoft. Features include a
reading mode and the ability to annotate, either with a keyboard, pen
or a finger. There's also integration with Cortana to provide
additional information – for example, when you're on a web page for a
restaurant Cortana will make a booking and display information such as
opening times.
Best new features in Windows 10: Enhancements
Thanks to the Windows Insider program, Microsoft is making changes
suggested by Windows users around the globe. Since Windows 10 runs
across all devices, the OS will have unified settings. That means the
end of separate control panel and PC settings. There's also the Action
Center now provides notifications and is synchronised across devices.
Best new features in Windows 10: Windows Phone
It looks like the death of Windows Phone is near as Windows 10 will
arrive on Windows Phone devices when it launches. Microsoft has given
no other name for it running on smartphone and small tablets.
In general it looks much the same as Windows Phone 8 but with tweaks.
As mentioned above, Action Center is synced with your other devices
and the app menu will show recently installed apps at the top. Two
cool new additions are the ability to float the keyboard around the
screen and reply to message notifications in-line.
Best new features in Windows 10: HoloLens
This one might be somewhat far off and futuristic, but Windows 10 is
the first holographic computing platform. A set of APIs will mean
developers can create holographic experiences in the real world.
It's more like augmented reality to us but it's certainly interesting.
It will work with the HoloLens which Microsoft calls the world's first
untethered holographic computer (it doesn't need to connect to a PC to
work).
Best new features in Windows 10: Continuum Mode
On 2in1 devices (hybrids and convertibles), Windows 10 will make life
easier with a 'Continuum Mode'. This means the OS moves easily between
laptop (keyboard/mouse) and tablet (touch) usage modes automatically.
It will do this if it detects the loss or addition of a keyboard.
