Microsoft opens Windows 10
Microsoft Korea’s developer experience division head Casey Song speaks during a press conference at the company’s local headquarters in Jongno, central Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Microsoft Korea
By Yoon Sung-won, Lee Min-hyung
Microsoft, the world’s largest software vendor, launched its much-hyped new operating system (OS) Windows 10 globally, Wednesday.
The company said the free online upgrade is available in more than 190 countries for those who use Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1.
With the new system, designed to connect diverse devices ― from personal computers and mobile devices to video game consoles ― the company said it wants to become the operator of the world’s largest platform service.
“Under the concept of one Windows and Windows as a service, we have reflected our users’ feedback to make the new Windows more personal, productive and easier to use,” Microsoft Korea’s developer experience division head, Casey Song, said in central Seoul, Wednesday.
“Our vision is to make Windows 10 the biggest cloud-source platform in the world and we aim to distribute the new OS to 1 billion devices worldwide.”
The biggest change in the new Windows, compared with Windows 8 and 8.1, is the revival of “Start Menu.” Users were critical of Windows 8 and 8.1 because Start Menu, considered a core interface to access functions and applications, was removed.
Microsoft has integrated the Live Tiles used in the Metro user interface (UI) of Windows 8 and 8.1 into Start Menu. Users quickly can access their favorite applications without unfolding lengthy menu trees.
Windows 10 has adopted functions and applications that can enhance usability.
Microsoft Edge is the new web browser, developed to replace Internet Explorer. Designed to better support mobile devices and the new Internet standard Hyper Text Markup Language 5 (HTML5), the browser is lighter and easier to use, Microsoft Korea’s tech evangelist, Kim Young-wook, said.
To improve compatibility with devices with different settings, the new Windows supports a function called “Continuum.” It automatically optimizes application settings and display modes for users with multiple devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers and smartphones.
“Continuum shows Windows 10’s design concept for mobility,” Kim said. “There are many mobile devices that have as much productivity as personal computers. But people use mobile devices in different ways compared to when they use desktop computers. We aimed at helping them use the same OS naturally, even in different platforms.
Cortana, Microsoft’s voice-recognizing digital secretary function, also is included in Windows 10.
Users can run functions and applications with their voice like they do with Google’s “Google Now” and Apple’s “Siri.” But Cortana does not yet support Korean, Kim said.
Microsoft’s video game console, Xbox One, can be connected to diverse devices with Windows 10 through an application. Xbox One users can stream their game play to other devices such as desktops and tablet computers to enjoy multi-play functions.
Kim also said Windows 10 supports Internet of Things devices. He said it will work with subminiature computer module Raspberry Pi and Microsoft’s wearable holography projector HoloLens.
Kim said Windows 10 has more advanced security functions than any other Windows in history. Adding to Windows Defender and SmartScreen functions, the new Windows supports a security application called “Windows Hello,” which recognizes registered users’ fingerprints and faces using Intel’s RealSense camera technology to unlock the system.
Microsoft has provided an automatic Windows 10 upgrade service for those who use Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1. Among users who reserved an automatic upgrade, about 5.5 million in more than 100 countries who have participated in the Windows Insider beta-test program will be the first to download, the company said.
Corporate and educational institution customers who bought a volume license in the past can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education, starting Aug. 1, it said.
The free upgrade will be available for a year from Wednesday. It will come with a charge after that, the company said. Windows 10 Home and Pro versions are priced at 172,000 won ($148.48) and 310,000 won, respectively, in Korea.
Microsoft Korea said its local partners, including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, will launch laptops and desktop computers with Windows 10, followed by other global brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell and ASUS.
“Windows 10 has been born reflecting feedback from over 5 million users worldwide,” Microsoft Windows and Devices Group Executive Vice President Terry Myerson said. “It is provided as a service and is free. I believe the new Windows will realize Microsoft’s vision of providing a highly personalized computing experience to our users.”