14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s January 21 Windows 10 event brought us a plethora of announcements, many of which we already expected but also some that took us by surprise (see the HoloLens release).
Joe Belfiore, who took the stage yesterday to discuss the improvements we get in Windows 10 and Windows 10 for Phones, also stars in this 7-minute video to discuss some of the news that Microsoft revealed today, explaining that they're all part of “the new generation of Windows.”
Belfiore thus describes some of the changes that Microsoft made to Windows on PCs, tablets, and smartphones, pointing out that Cortana, the personal assistant that was previously available on Windows Phone exclusively, is now offered to all Windows 10 users, no matter the device.
Cortana will indeed be offered on the PC as well and will also come with features exclusively created for this particular device. For instance, Cortana can search the locally stored files and display specific photos, while also offering options to control playback with voice commands.
Windows 10 for Phones
Belfiore also commented on the arrival of Windows 10 for Phones, emphasizing that Microsoft wanted to deliver the same experience across all devices.
A new version of Office will also be offered on Windows Phone and will come in the form of universal apps. Users will be allowed to download Word, Excel, and PowerPoint separately this time, so they no longer have to get the whole Office package.
Last but not least, Belfiore also introduces the new Spartan browser, which will debut with Windows 10 and will officially replace Internet Explorer.
Spartan will also be available across all devices and will be offered as a universal app, which means that the same program will run on PCs, tablets, and smartphones upgraded to Windows 10.
There's one thing missing from this video: the release date planned for Windows 10. Microsoft hasn't provided any details in this regard, but according to unofficial information we have, the new operating system, including here the PC and the phone version, should debut in the fall of this year, most likely after reaching RTM during the summer.
