14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is expected to launch Windows 10 Consumer Preview next month, during a dedicated press conference, and even though the company is yet to confirm such a plan, new information emerges via unofficial, but pretty reliable, channels.
This time, Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley claims that Windows 10 will indeed be released for users next month, but instead of being called Consumer Preview, the upcoming build will actually be launched as Windows 10 January Technical Preview.
Redmond appears to be planning a completely new naming strategy for Technical Preview builds of Windows 10, as the company will switch to a “one build per month” schedule that will bring updates to Windows Insider Program members on a monthly basis.
Basically, after January Technical Preview, Microsoft will most likely roll out February Technical Preview the next month and March Technical Preview 30 days later. The same plan would go on until Windows 10 officially reaches RTM.
Cortana and Continuum very likely to make their debut
Since it’ll be a release specifically aimed at consumers, the January Technical Preview will include several new features, among which Continuum and a working version of Cortana.
References to personal assistant Cortana have already been implemented in Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9860, but the feature would only make its public debut next month, in this consumer preview release. Leaks showing Cortana’s icons pinned to the taskbar have reached the web in the last few days, so there’s no doubt that the digital assistant will arrive sooner or later on the desktop as well.
As far as Continuum is concerned, this particular feature was first presented by Microsoft at the September 30 event, when the company made the first public demonstration of Windows 10.
Continuum is a feature designed specifically for 2-in-1s, allowing users to switch from the desktop to the Modern UI automatically when removing the keyboard. Surface Pro 3 users would most likely be the main target of this option.
Public release in mid-2015
Microsoft hasn’t yet revealed the release date of Windows 10, but given the new monthly update schedule for the Technical Preview, it becomes obvious that the company wants to release the new OS sometime in mid-2015.
We’re hearing that RTM is very likely to be reached in spring 2015, while the public launch could be announced a few months after that, sources say.
Microsoft has already confirmed that no other updates will be shipped until January, so Technical Preview build 9879 is the latest version you can try this year.
