Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows 10, due for release
this summer, will come in seven
different editions, the software giant
has announced.
The major update to the ubiquitous software will be launched in
190 countries and 111 languages and in a bid to provide a more personal
computing experience across a range of devices, Microsoft will release
different editions to suit varied needs of consumers, small businesses
and large enterprises.
Microsoft's
blog
noted that the Windows 10 OS will power a broad range of devices -
everything from PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox One, Microsoft HoloLens and
Surface Hub. It will also power Internet-connected devices like
elevators, ATMs, hear rate monitors and wearables.
The Editions are,
1. Windows 10 Home
This will be the consumer-focused desktop edition and offer the
familiar and personal experience for PCs, tablets and convertibles. It
will include Microsoft's digital assistant- Cortana; the new Microsoft
Edge browser; Continuum tablet mode for touch-capable devices; Windows
Hello face-recognition, iris and fingerprint login; and a broad range of
universal Windows apps like Photos, Maps, Mail, Calendar, Music and
Video. It will also include the ability to play Xbox One games.
2. Windows 10 Mobile
The mobile edition is best suited for the small-screen user
experience. It will include universal Windows apps that are present in
Windows 10 Home version. It will include the new touch-optimised version
of Office and enable some new devices to take advantage of Continuum
for phone.
3. Windows 10 Pro
It is a desktop edition for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s and includes
extra features to meet the needs of small businesses. It includes
features like data protection, efficient management of multiple synced
devices and apps, remote and mobile productivity support, and leveraging
of cloud technologies. The OS will be more beneficial for organizations
supporting Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs and prosumer
customers.
It further offers ability to take advantage of the new Windows
Update for Business, which will reduce management costs, provide
controls over update deployment, offer quicker access to security
updates and provide access to the latest innovation from Microsoft on an
ongoing basis.
4. Windows 10 Enterprise
It builds on Windows 10 Pro, adding advanced features designed to
meet the demands of medium and large sized organizations. It provides
more security to sensitive business information and supports broader
range of options for OS deployment and app management. This edition will
be available to Microsoft's Volume Licensing customers, who will also
be able to choose the pace at which they want to adopt the new OS.
5. Windows 10 Education
Aimed at addressing the needs of schools-staff, administrators,
teachers, and students, this edition will be available through academic
Volume Licensing and Microsoft will provide ability for schools
and
students Windows 10 Home and Pro editions to upgrade to the Education
version.
6. Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise
With businesses going mobile, this edition is designed to deliver
the best customer experience to business customers on smartphones and
small tablets. Apart from offering great productivity, security, and
device management, this edition adds flexible ways for businesses to
manage updates.
7. Windows 10 IoT Core
In the age of Internet-connected devices, Microsoft is also
rolling out versions of its Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile
Enterprise for industry devices like ATMs, retail point of sale,
handheld terminals and industrial robotics and for small footprint, low
cost devices like gateways.
Windows 10 is said to be the last operating system to come from
Microsoft as the company plans to provide the software as a service and
continue releasing updates to the same instead of releasing a new OS.
