MICROSOFT UNVEILS WINDOWS 10

Microsoft unveils latest Windows 10, holographic technology 

Microsoft had its Windows 10 event Wednesday and announced the latest features and devices, which include a free upgrade to Windows 10, the new Surface Hub display and the HoloLens.

JASON REDMOND/REUTERS Microsoft unveiled the new Windows 10 OS and its latest venture in holographic technology Wednesday at the Windows 10 live event in Redmond, Washington.

Microsoft is getting ready to transform the world with holograms and its new Windows 10 software.
Microsoft unveiled the new Windows 10, a new Surface Hub display and holographic technology at its live Windows 10 event Wednesday in Redmond, Washington.
The biggest announcement at the event was a new hologram device called HoloLens. The new head gear is a holographic computer that requires voice commands and hand gestures to use. The computer is completely wireless and runs on Windows 10 software. Users will be able to design and create objects-such as spaceships-and 3-D print them.
Microsoft's hologram labs will also develop and release a holographic Skype and holographic Minecraft in the future.

microsoft.com The HoloLens will let users interact with 3-D holograms. The HoloLens will eventually be support holographic versions of Skype and Minecraft.

Another device announcement was the new Surface Hub, which is an 84-inch 4K display that is aimed to help workplaces have more efficient meetings and conferences. The display works like a smart whiteboard with camera, speakers and Wi-Fi. Users will be able to write on the display, share screens and video clips and participate in a conference call at the same time.
Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's corporate vice president, also gave a first look at the new features that Windows 10 will have on phones, which include a new and improved Cortana-Microsoft's version of Siri-and a new user interface.
It was also announced that anyone with Windows 7 or 8.1 will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free within the first year of launch.
Microsoft has not announced a release date for its new software or devices, but it will be releasing the new Windows 10 builds to insiders in the next couple months. The consumer version will be released sometime in 2015.

Uncredited/ASSOCIATED PRESS Windows 10 will support the personal voice assistant Cortana and will present users with a new user interface.

These are some other takeaways from today's event:
Desktop Features:

• The new Windows 10 will give PCs a new and improved Start menu and a new settings and configuration user interface.
• The new software will also have a Continuum feature, which will let users switch from tablet to PC mode-vice versa-with ease on 2-in-1 devices like the Surface Pro.

Cortana:

• The improved voice assistant will be able to speak in seven languages and make impersonations—like of Yoda from Star Wars.
• Cortana will also run on all Windows 10 desktops and phones.
• Microsoft wants Cortana to be a trusted personal assistant that knows its users. Cortana will track your activity and smartly suggest things you do routinely. It will also remind you of appointments, flights and birthdays.
• Users will also be able to customize Cortana's tracking notebook and add or remove new commands.

Universal Apps for all Windows Devices:

• Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) will be included in all phones running on Windows 10.
• Outlook will also be redesigned to function better on mobile devices.
• A new photo app will collect all photos in all your devices and show them to you in just one view. It will also have an auto clutter feature so you don't see duplicate photos and an auto enhance feature.
• There will also be a music app that will sync your music collection into just one drive for quick access from any device.

Project Spartan Web Browser:

• Users will be able to note take on the browser by writing on the webpage or adding side comments. You can also clip a certain section of the webpage and send it to coworkers, friends and family.
• Project Spartan will also support Cortana for extra assistance. Cortana will be able to read the webpage for users and provide additional facts on what the user is reading.
• The new browser will also be able to save webpages for offline reading.

Gaming:

• The user interface for gaming will allow users to save clips from gameplay to share with their gaming community. It will basically work as a DVR for gaming.
• Microsoft will also be moving to DirectX12, which will allow users to play more high-end games with better graphics.
• Users will be able to play games like Fable Legends on either PC or the Xbox One.

Devices:

• Microsoft Surface Hub: This will be an 84-inch 4K display that will help workplaces have more efficient meetings and conference calls. The display works as a smart whiteboard with speakers, cameras, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
• HoloLens: Microsoft will join the headgear market and release a fully untethered holographic computer. The HoloLens is a result of Microsoft's new hologram labs, which have invited developers to work in their labs to develop new programs that can work in all new virtual and augmented reality devices such as Magic Leap, Oculus Rift and Google Glass. It will be available in the Windows 10 timeframe.