Microsoft Corp. has unveiled the latest version of its iconic Windows software in the hopes of both appealing to longtime users and keeping up with modern technology trends.
Known as Windows 10, Microsoft showed off to the public some new features at a press event in San Francisco yesterday. The giant software company also pledged to get user feedback and acknowledged that Windows 8, its current version, had radical differences compared to the critically acclaimed Windows 7.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the preview of Windows 10 is the closest that Microsoft has come to admitting mistakes made in the production of Windows 8. Microsoft executives also noted that the most recent version had to be retooled for business settings.
Microsoft executive Terry Myerson noted in a USA Today article that Windows 10 would represent the first step in a whole new generation of Windows. However, he admits that the company skipped naming the software as "Windows 9."
"When you see the product in its fullness, I think you will agree with us that it is a more appropriate name," Myerson said.
According to the Guardian, Microsoft hopes Windows 10, which started development under former CEO Steve Ballmer, will bring back both users and businesses. Many businesses rely on Windows 7, Windows Vista, and the now-discontinued Windows XP for their operations, which are four, seven, and thirteen years old respectively.
Microsoft brought back the start menu after many users complained of its absence on Windows 8. However, Windows 10 also uses live tiles, a feature that is familiar to Windows 8 users.
According to Microsoft, Windows 10 is designed to be more than just desktop computer software. Taking a page out of Apple's playbook, Windows 10 is supposed to work seamlessly with desktop PCs, Windows tablets, and Windows Phone smartphones.
Microsoft executive Joe Belfiore provided a demo of the software, with an emphasis on personalizing it to users' preferences.
"We are trying to hit this balance in just the right way," Belfiore said.
Windows 10 is meant to be all-around operating software to power devices from tiny sensors to conference video screens. Myerson hopes to receive lots of feedback from Microsoft users before launching the software in 2015.
"We've never done this before," Mr. Myerson said. "Together with the feedback you'll provide us, we believe we can build a product that all of us will love."
For anyone who wants to participate in testing out Windows 10 before its launch, Microsoft encourages its users to check out the Windows Insider Program, which has been launched today on its website.
