14 DAY TRIAL // This year’s edition of the BUILD developer conference, which has slowly become Microsoft’s main event when the Redmond giant details its plans for the year ahead, will bring us plenty of news regarding new projects that are being developed as we speak, including the Windows 10 operating system.
Needless to say, Windows 10 is going to be the key topic of the day, and Terry Myerson, head of the OS group at Microsoft, will take the stage to detail the company’s strategy for the next 12 months.
Windows 10, which is already available as a preview for users enrolled in the Windows Insider program, is projected to debut later this year, and Microsoft executives previously touted the “summer” as the time when the new OS would go live. But AMD officials have recently hinted that Windows 10 could launch in late July, so Myerson could set things straight at BUILD and reveal the launch date of the new OS.
First updates and Redstone
In addition to the release date, Myerson is also expected to discuss other key details about Windows 10, including the next 12-month roadmap for the operating system that could bring to an end the previous strategy of launching stand-alone versions every three years.
With Windows 10, Microsoft might finally switch to an Apple-like approach, and instead of bringing out new versions of Windows every three years, it could actually deliver big updates for the core operating system yearly. This would help the company keep computers up to date with new features and improvements more easily, while also dropping the traditional Windows X numbering scheme and switch to just “Windows.”
“Rumors: first Windows 10 update coming in late 2015, Redstone in 2016”
Windows is a brand that’s powerful enough to help Microsoft increase sales in the long term, and using the very same name on all devices would be a smart move, so the company could detail this new strategy as well.
Myerson is expected provide information about the first Windows 10 update projected to launch in late 2015, but also about Redstone, which is said to be the first major pack of improvements for the new OS. While no specific launch dates would be provided, it’s believed that Redstone would launch in 2016.
Spartan browser and new apps
Internet Explorer" alt="Spartan browser, Microsoft's replacement for Internet Explorer" />Last but not least, Myerson might also talk about Microsoft’s replacement for Internet Explorer, the browser that has been around two decades. Project Spartan, which is already up for testing via the Windows 10 Technical Preview, is just an internal codename, and word has it that Microsoft has already picked a name for the new browser.
Microsoft could unveil it during the first day of BUILD, but everyone expects it to be “Spartan” or “Spartan browser,” as these particular options have been impressively popular among Windows insiders.
All in all, the first day of BUILD will be a very busy one for PC enthusiasts and Windows 10 will be the key point on Microsoft’s agenda. The keynote starts at 8.30 AM PT / 4.30 PM CET.