The Best Features Of Windows 10

Windows 10 Features

The Windows 10 OS is now available as a Technical Preview build for the users of the Windows Insider program. This build gives users a preview on how the OS would feel like once it is released to the public in April 2015. The users also get to take part in the development process of the OS by providing apt feedback and suggestions while using the Technical Preview build. New build releases are released as over the air updates every now and then. Windows 10 really looks promising, and some of the interesting features that you can expect are listed below.

Cortana

The popular personal assistant that was first introduced in Windows mobile is now coming to the Windows 10 OS. Cortana is similar to the Siri app of Apple, which provides a personalized experience while providing help working with the various features in the OS. Cortana primarily boasts of powerful search and reminder capabilities, which we have already seen in Windows mobiles. Microsoft says "you’ll see Cortana as never before" as the app will be used as the primary search app for all of the Windows platform users, both mobile and desktop. Moreover, unlike the mechanical tone of the Siri and Google Now apps, Cortana flaunts natural and conversational tones now.

Design and Interface

Much attention has been given on the interface part this time around. This extra caution can be attributed to the disastrous stride that Windows 8 series of operating systems took. The company has promised the return of the traditional Start menu, which kind of faded away or became molded into other things in the Windows 8 series. In the latest demonstrations, we could see new and modern style icons all around the OS. The Windows have flattened, and it really does feel like an all new OS, much more than an upgrade.

Project Spartan

Windows 10 Upgrade

Microsoft has been working hard to develop an all-new browser for some time. In addition, the news regarding the Project Spartan is out now. Project Spartan is expected to be the default web browser in Windows 10. However, it is not clear yet whether this will mark the death of the age-old Internet Explorer web browser. In Spartan, there are new features for touch and annotation purposes. Just circle your fingers around something and the text will be highlighted.

Critics and analysts are of the opinion that the upcoming OS is indeed going to be a hit. Once it is released, it is only up to the users to decide what the company's future would be. 

YouTube Video Shows Off The New Desktop Cortana

Windows 10 Preview

The Windows 10 OS has managed to drag back in a lot of the appreciation that Microsoft lost because of Windows 8. From the looks of it, this OS just might turn out to be better than even the memorable Windows 7. It even has a voice assistant search application called Cortana, which is a lot like the Siri app on iOS devices.

Cortana isn’t exactly new – it’s been around on Windows Phone OS for some time now. This just happens to be the first time that desktop users get a chance to use the app. A video detailing some of the features of the new version is up on YouTube, and it offers some information on the usability. In the video, Cortana picks up on every instruction the tester gives it, and performs fairly well. Some of the useful functions you can call up are Skype calling, notes, alarm, etc. and since Windows 10 is still in the developer preview stage, this isn’t the full version of the digital assistant app, which means this isn’t all the functionality it comes with. Presumably, there’s an even longer list of things you’ll be able to do once the full version comes out with the consumer build of the OS, though that’s likely to take until fall.

Meanwhile, the preview version of Cortana doesn’t allow for a lot of text chatting, and neither can you ask personal questions, because the answers would need to come from a database, which hasn’t been included in this version. The rest of the stuff is pretty much the same as what Windows Phone owners are used to seeing, including the size, which means the final desktop version won’t be taking up all of the computer screen.

Windows 10 Download

They still haven’t announced a release date for the OS itself. Microsoft says it will talk about that and other stuff during an event in January, the week after the Consumer Electronics show. The only things we have right now is the latest developer preview build from Windows Insider Program, which according to Microsoft has fixed over 1,300 individual bugs from the previous builds. A lot of that is driven by user testing and subsequent feedbacks, and with over a million testers pitching in, it shows no signs of slowing. What’s disappointing is that we won’t get to see another preview build before the end of the year.