Microsoft Corporation MSFT has finally set the release date of its new operating system (OS) — Windows 10 — on Jul 29. The new OS is expected to be available in 190 countries in 111 languages.
Windows 10 will run on many devices including desktops, laptops, phones and tablets, “Internet of Things” as well as the virtual reality headset named Hololens. However, initially the new OS will be available only for desktops, laptops and tablets. Windows 10 Mobile, the company's companion software designed to power smartphones, is likely to be launched later this year.
Microsoft will offer Windows 10 upgrades to current Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users for free for the first year. At present, a Windows upgrade costs roughly $119.99.
Offering it as a free upgrade to existing users will certainly perk up the rates of Windows 10 adoption and arrest the decline in its market share.
Windows 10 Details
Windows 10 will resemble the traditional Windows in some parts and have the "Start Menu". It will also reportedly get rid of some confusing Windows 8 features like "Charms," a set of icons that popped out from the right side of the screen but never made much sense.
For the first time ever since the Windows 95, Microsoft is reportedly building a new browser, codenamed Spartan. According to rumors, it is similar to Google’s GOOG Chrome or the mobile version of Apple's AAPL Safari. Spartan is likely to be the primary browser for the new OS, though the Internet Explorer will be retained to enable backward-compatibility.
Windows 10 will be better synchronized across all devices allowing users to move to from one Windows device to another. This should also increase the number of apps available on all three platforms.
It will be incorporated with a reading mode and might include a built-in version of Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri personal assistant. With this, Microsoft is bringing Cortana to the PC
Windows 10 will have a new feature called Continuum that will automatically detect whether a keyboard or touchscreen is being used and adapt accordingly.
Windows 10 will also have a novel method to handle photographs, indexing and giving users a "collection" view of their photos stored across devices. It will also augment a few photos, just like Google's auto-awesome feature.
According to David Johnson, an analyst from Forrester Research, these tools will give Windows 10 a wider acceptance on desktops and laptops inside businesses as against Windows 8.
Our Take
Windows is still a central part of Microsoft's business and leads the desktop computing space. However, due to the growth of smartphones and tablets, only 14% of the devices worldwide use Windows. A large section of consumers prefer Apple's iOS, Google's Android and the Web.
With Windows 10, Microsoft expects to encourage customers to own computers, tablets and smartphones powered with its software. The company's goal is to repair the damage done by Windows 8 while convincing consumers that upgrading is worth their time and effort.
If it works, Windows 10 will be an "apology" for Windows 8 users who were disappointed as the system failed to meet expectations and hype.
However, only time will tell whether Windows 10 can repair the damage done by Windows 8 or disappoint again.
Microsoft currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors may also consider Advent Software, Inc. ADVS sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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