Holographic augmented reality headset to arrive alongside latest OS.
on Jan 22 2015 7:33AM
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has a tough task ahead of him, rebooting the company's operating system franchise with Windows 10. Pictured: the start screen. Windows 10 features a Start menu with live tiles.
Developers will be able to code just once for all devices, from 5-inch screen smartphones to tablets with 8-inch or larger screens, as well as PCs, with the Universal App framework. A new integrated App Store is also on the cards for Windows 10.
The holographic HoloLens headset was the biggest surprise at today's Windows 10 event. It can be used for gaming, 3D design and also collaboration and conferencing through Microsoft Skype. HoloLens will be released at the same time as Windows 10.
Microsoft VP of operating systems Terry Myerson as a 3D hologram on stage.
HoloLens features holographic high-definition lenses, sensors, fast processor and graphics, said Alex Kipman, the lead Kinect controller engineer at Microsoft.
A Microsoft employee designed a quadcopter drone on stage with the help of HoloLens and the HoloStudio application.
HoloStudio designs can be 3D-printed, and Kipman flew the quadcopter drone created earlier on stage.
Back to Windows 10, Cortana, Microsoft's personal assistant software that uses cloud-based resources and voice recognition, is baked into the OS for both PCs and smartphones.
Cortana on smartphones.
Windows 10 also features a new web browser: Project Spartan will replace Internet Explorer. Project Spartan also features Cortana, as well as annotating of web pages via a pen or fingers on touch-enabled devices.
Microsoft showed off the 84-inch Surface Hub wall mounted computer, with a 4K resolution touch screen and a full complement of networking interfaces. It has a choice of two screen sizes as well as optional mounting configurations.
The company believes the Surface Hub will appeal to companies for collaboration, white-boarding and presentations.
Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users.
New builds of Windows 10 are scheduled for next week, with the smartphone versions becoming available later in February. Microsoft has not confirmed a release date for the final version of Windows 10.
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has a tough task ahead of him, rebooting the company's operating system franchise with Windows 10. Pictured: the start screen. Windows 10 features a Start menu with live tiles.