14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 definitely comes with a plethora of new features, many of which were eagerly anticipated by users worldwide, but the full version of the operating system won’t be here sooner than spring 2015.
Before the unveiling of the preview version, which took place on September 30, Microsoft remained completely tight-lipped on its new operating system, keeping pretty much all details secret despite the avalanche of rumors that were reaching the web on a regular basis.
Some people close to Microsoft’s business suggest that Redmond actually refused to share details on Windows 10 sooner because some features weren’t yet ready, but the reason could be entirely different.
Analysts believe that Microsoft was very cautious with the Windows 10 unveiling because it could have a big impact on PC sales before the holiday season, thus slowing down sales in an industry that’s already suffering from very low figures.
Big changes in Windows equals low PC sales
All these thoughts actually make sense at some level, as significant improvements in the operating system, all announced with much fanfare by Microsoft, could convince users to wait for the official unveiling of Windows 10 and only then purchase a new PC.
This would obviously impact sales in the short term and just before the holiday season, when manufacturers expect buyers to spend more money on new hardware.
“Microsoft can't make a big bang and talk about a new version of Windows in September with the holidays coming and consumers deciding that ‘if Windows 10 is coming, I'm just going to wait and not buy a PC,’” Michael Silver, Gartner analyst, was quoted as saying by ComputerWorld.
“That's why last week's announcement was pretty quiet and enterprise focused.”
More big announcements coming in early 2015
Despite rumors, Microsoft has refused to provide more information on Windows 10’s upgrade options and pricing. People close to the matter suggested that Windows 10 could be offered free of charge to those running Windows 8.1, but such an announcement would obviously impact new PC sales before the unveiling of the new operating system.
At the same time, the company is reportedly planning more reveals in early 2015, when development of new features, including Cortana, is expected to complete.
And still, not everything will be shared before the spring 2015 debut of Windows 10, as the company still wants to keep some features secret and thus stir up interest in its brand new operating system. Cortana, for example, might not show up before the public launch, despite the fact that some references to this feature have also been found in Windows 10 Preview.