Today Microsoft revealed that they will be hosting an event at Redmond to announce the next chapter of Windows 10 on January 21st, 2015. This event should reveal the Consumer Preview for Windows 10, and build on the changes already shown in the Technical Preview. The Technical Preview was very desktop focused, and did not include the announced features to enable a touch experience. Most likely the consumer preview of Windows 10 will include this, as well as other new features to continue to hone the user experience.

The event will be livestreamed and the Blogging Windows site will offer up information on the announced features. When Microsoft first announced Windows 10, they said that they would be having a consumer event upcoming in the early 2015, and more developer information at Build, so it’s good to see that this is on schedule still. It does appear that the final release for Windows 10 may be Fall 2015 according to Microsoft COO Kevin Turner.

Microsoft also sent out some news to the Windows Insiders letting them know about a few things that may be interesting. First, they have created an Insider Hub app for Windows 10 which is included in the latest build. The app will provide news and announcements regarding the Insider Program and some news may only be shared this way. It will also be a way to help with feedback on new features. People running the Windows 10 Technical Preview can simply pin this hub to their Start Menu to get access to the notifications.

They have also announced that a four hour webcast “Windows 10 Technical Preview Fundamentals for IT Pros” is now available through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, so if you are thinking about possible Windows 10 deployments in the not too distant future, you can check it out here.

Finally, as part of the Internet of Things movement, Windows 10 will support devices with AllJoyn capability. As described by Microsoft Open Tech, “AllJoyn is an open source software framework and set of services to enable interoperability among connected devices to create dynamic proximal networks” and developers who wish to develop apps with AllJoyn capability for Windows 10 can download the SDK from the AllSeen Alliance.

Quite a few changes and additions to Windows came with the Windows 10 Technical Preview, and you can read my initial thoughts here. What the build really is missing though are the consumer focused points. A lot of the initial talk was about deployment, user management, and data security. Quite a bit of the support for WinRT apps and touch was affected, and will likely make their way back in along with the Continuum capability to switch between keyboard/mouse and touch control.

Source: Blogging Windows

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  • Michael Bay - Saturday, December 13, 2014 - link

    I think it was AT where I`ve read a good argument about WP having to increase the amount of yearly releases in comparison to Android or iOS.
  • Th-z - Monday, December 15, 2014 - link

    Bring back Aero Microsoft, let users have the option to turn it on if they want to. If you indeed listen to customers this time, then it's one of the most wanted features since Windows 8. If you want to attract as many Win 7 users as possible, then desktop beautification is a thing for many people. The solid colors look really dull to me.
  • Flunk - Friday, December 19, 2014 - link

    I suggest they just allow theming the OS without hacks. It's not like the code isn't already there anyway. Then all the people who are incapable of coping with change can have whatever they like. Win 3.1 style if they like and talented artists can make up their own interesting themes.
  • QuantumPion - Monday, December 15, 2014 - link

    I was using Windows 10 perfectly fine until they pushed an update which broke USB device compatibility. My joystick and Oculus Rift ceased to function. Other than that I liked Windows 10, it was fast and most everything worked well.
  • JonnyDough - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link

    Aside from the "touch" experience which is not necessary for a desktop - what is the driving motivation? With Ubuntu being so polished now, I'm surprised that more businesses aren't jumping the M$ ship. Google docs has been growing in popularity and works with Ubuntu should hopefully convince people to start looking towards cheaper solutions. When you're talking about hundreds or even thousands of PCs for a non-profit for example, this makes a lot of sense. If Linux can gain in market share then perhaps Microsoft will lower the cost of Windows 10. Even Valve/Steam is trying to push for more games on Linux, to make PC gaming cheaper. These are exciting times my friends. PC gaming is not dead, but in the next ten years Windows could be. The Windows phone has not gained huge reception either. Microsoft does a lot of things really will, but like all the big Companies (Apple, Google, Samsung, etc) they want to monopolize and capitalize. I'm all for open standards, because they help consumers (like me) pay less and get more. The profit margins for these companies is just ridiculous.
  • shane007 - Monday, December 29, 2014 - link

    My main concern is proper scaling.
    Can anyone who has tried win 10 tell me if they have improved OS scaling for 4k monitors?
    Win 8.1 isn't bad but it's far from perfect, Apple's OS seems to do a far better job in terms of scaling.
    I know most of it is 3rd party software not programmed correctly to scale but windows scaling plays up as well, With 4k about to take off mainstream next year I think it would be a top priority instead of worrying about silly side bars and metro interface.
    If they can get 4k scaling done correctly that in itself is one main reason for me to upgrade!
  • milkod2001 - Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - link

    @shane007

    'With 4k about to take off mainstream next year' - not very likely.

    Most users are not even on 1080p yet statistically unfortunately. Yeap 4k screen are getting more and more affordable but it'll take at least 3 years to be mainstream.
  • MamiyaOtaru - Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - link

    mainstream doesn't necessarily mean "most people will have it". In this case I think it means "more than a vanishingly small, easily ignorable minority will have it". Enough that any new OS needs to deal with it
  • shane007 - Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - link

    Well I am no one special and I already a cheap 4k TN panel.
    Don't go off statistics those same statistics show a massive uptake of 4k televisions in 2015 even though there is hardly any content, 4k is a certainty and will need to be supported so they should do it right from the beginning.
    No point arguing over 4k it will happen, My question was if it was implemented correctly in Win 10 if it is I would certainly upgrade if not I'll just stick to win 8.1

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