Yesterday, Microsoft made a rather surprising announcement: they are skipping right over Windows 9, and instead unveiling Windows 10.
Alright, it has to be done, because it has been a constant joke made on Twitter since the news hit: Why not Windows 9? Because 7-8-9! I know, get your groans out now. But that was an inevitable pun when it was announced that the next incarnations of Windows will not follow by numerical pattern established with Windows 7, but instead will jump ahead to 10.
You might remember last week’s leak of new features and development for the Start menu, and news of the Windows Insider Program. It turns out that was for Windows 10, and Microsoft is going ahead and telling us their focus this time around.
According to a blog post, it isn’t about a single platform to rule all devices. So the idea that they were working on a singular interface and operating system that could be applied equally to anything, connecting it all, is now debunked. Instead, they are looking to create unique versions for each device, whether that is a personal consumer device like a smartphone, a home PC, a laptop, an enterprise or business desktop, or a full database.
Whether or not that is a good idea remains to be seen. There is no doubt that interconnected OS use and app syncing has become a big deal in recent years. But with scandals like the celebrity photo leak, problems with malicious vulnerabilities, financial data exposure, ect, it is a good possibility that focusing less on syncing all aspects of our lives under a single system is starting to pass. This method could provide a more secure and customized experience.
That doesn’t mean connecting won’t be a factor. Given CEO Nadella’s past working with the company’s cloud software, there is no way it won’t continue to be developed and pushed as an auto (or at least standard) built in Windows feature. But they haven’t gotten too into that, yet, and hopefully it won’t follow by the irritating formula of Apple.
Probably the most interesting part about these new details, other than the name, is the multiple desktop feature. In the past, you have obviously been able to create separate accounts for different users. But the process of switching between them has always been clunky, especially if you choose to make multiple accounts for your own use, such as one work, one personal.
Now, you will be able to switch between desktops for anything from different users to different projects, all quickly and fluidly.
Looks like a good addition, to me.
Source: Microsoft
