14 DAY TRIAL // 2019 is almost over, and looking back at all things Microsoft did this year, it’s pretty clear the Redmond-based software has been fairly busy lately.
New Windows 10 feature updates (Windows 10 May 2019 Update and Windows 10 November 2019 Update), new devices (Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7, and Surface Pro X and previews of other models), the demise of Windows 10 Mobile (pushed back for one month), and a very aggressive mobile strategy are just a few of the things that kept the company active in the last 12 months.
And 2020 will be no different. Pretty much because Microsoft will push hard on all fronts, with cloud and Office 365 to continue to spearhead its efforts worldwide.
Windows 7’s death
And it all starts with the demise of Windows 7. The 2009 operating system is set to receive its last set of security updates on January 14, after which it officially becomes an unsupported operating system.
With more than 25% of devices still running it, Windows 7 is very likely to become the new Windows XP, or in other words, the operating system that millions of devices will continue to run despite the obvious security risks.
Killing off Windows 7 will be quite a challenge for Microsoft, and it’s very clear the company will need to insist for users to upgrade throughout the year.
More Windows 10 feature updates
On the software front, Microsoft will also release two new feature updates for Windows 10 and continue its investments in mobile apps, especially on Android where the company is already fully committed to delivering seamless access to its services regardless of phone brand.
The first Windows 10 feature update will land in the spring as version 2004, while the second one, which is projected to enter development in the Windows Insider program shortly, will be ready in the fall, most likely as version 2009.
Windows 10 version 2004 is already finalized and the public launch should happen in April or May.
New devices (Xbox Series X and an Android phone)
When it comes to devices, there’s a lot going on here.
First of all, it’s the Xbox Series X, which will come with a custom CPU based on AMD’s Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture and offer next-gen capabilities like 8K gaming and 120 fps. Microsoft says the device will land during holiday 2020.
Furthermore, there are devices that Microsoft also announced this year, like Surface Neo, Surface Duo, and Surface Earbuds.
Neo and Duo, which are Microsoft’s first models in the dual-screen world, will also land in the holiday season, while the Earbuds should go live much sooner. Duo also represents Microsoft’s first Android phone ever.
Microsoft is also expected to announce the Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3, both of which will come with notable hardware upgrades. Worth noting, however, is that Surface Go will remain Microsoft’s cheapest and smallest Surface model, but it’ll be interesting to see if the company will retain the same price point or make it more expensive.
Aside from all of these, there’s a lot more coming from Microsoft in 2020, but of the news are based on pure speculation anyway. For example, I can see Microsoft launching the Surface Studio 3, as well as a Surface webcam next year, but both of them are just rumors that should still be taken with a healthy pinch of salt for now.
Microsoft will become an even more important player in the mobile industry, and many think a conventional Android phone is just a matter of time. If it is, don’t expect it next year though.
All in all, 2020 will mark another step for Microsoft towards its goal of expanding beyond the software business and focusing more on products that bring home the bacon. Just like in 2019, cloud will remain the main cash cow, so expect lots of exciting news in this regard as well.