Windows 10 to get 'holographic' headset and Cortana, and free upgrade for Windows 7, 8 users for the first year

[anyweb]

Microsoft has revealed that Windows 10 will bring its voice-controlled assistant Cortana to PCs.

It also unveiled a headset that it said would one day project the operating system over views of the real world. In addition, the firm announced that the OS upgrade would be offered free of charge for devices running Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Phone. The offer, which is limited to the Windows 10's first year of release, may aid its adoption. It marks a change in strategy from Microsoft's previous policy of charging for major updates, and could help avoid a repeat of the relatively slow uptake of Windows 8.

 

One analyst suggested the firm had needed to renew interest in its ecosystem. "Overall, we know that about only about 10% of computers are running Windows 8 and the adoption rate among companies is similar or lower," said Frank Gillett, an analyst at the Forrester consultancy. "Developers are not paying much attention to Windows for mass market consumer apps, and you could even argue that for enterprise software most of the energy is going into mobile apps for iPad and Android tablets.

 

"Windows 10 is in effect a huge invitation to software developers to write exciting, powerful applications that will draw consumers. "My hunch is that they can succeed in getting a new generation of PC and tablet applications. The challenge is getting people interested in its phones."

 

Holographic helmet

It is likely to be years away from release, but Microsoft's chief executive Satya Nadella said the HoloLens headset represented a "magical moment" of "category creation" that developers lived for.

 

 

via > BBC News