Microsoft Unveils Windows 10 for Mobile, Desktop, Xbox, IoT and More

event_09-30terryIntroduces_Web
Microsofts Myers announces Windows 10

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 10, the next version of its OS, jumping straight from Windows 8, seemingly in an effort to distance the software from its previous, much-maligned iteration.

Microsoft is promising to bring Windows 10 to almost every device imaginable, including desktop, smartphones, tablets, its Xbox consoles, and even Internet of Things appliances.

“Some of these devices have 4” screens, some have 80” screens, and some don’t have screens at all,” said Microsoft executive vice president Terry Myerson. “Some of these devices you hold in your hand, others are 10 feet away.”

Its a big ask, especially given that Windows 8s attempt to bring a more unified, touch-friendly interface to the companys traditional home turf of desktop was one of the things that made it so unpopular with users but, according to Myers: “We’re not talking about one UI to rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored experience for each device.”

Microsoft has also promised a unified app store for users and a converged app platform for developers, with a consistent API layer so that apps can be coded once then deployed across device types.

This renewed push to a cross-platform presence for Windows is being aided by a Microsoft program announced back in April, which made the OS free for use on any devices with displays smaller than 9”. Myerson told Re/code that in the time since, 50 new companies have started work on Windows-based smartphones and tablets, potentially giving the OS a huge boost in availability.