Microsoft to release Windows 10 on mobile
Software giant states next OS to build on âagileâ Windows 8 and will have a universal app store
Software giant Microsoft has confirmed plans to release its next operating software, Windows 10, across all devices, including its tablet and smartphone range.
The OS will be scaled depending on the device and operate in largely the same manner, with a universal app store set to be opened for the software upon its release allowing customers to download an app once and have it appear across all registered devices.
Windows has introduced the strap line âone family, one product, one storeâ to demonstrate the unified model, and executive vice president of operating systems Terry Myerson said the OS was a response to the âmobile first, cloud-first worldâ that had emerged since Windows 8 was introduced.
While a traditional start button has been included in the desktop product, the tiled start screen added in Windows 8 has been kept on and a feature called Continuum will detect which device is being used to determine which software mode to operate.
“Windows 10 will run on the broadest amount of devices. A tailored experience for each device,” Myerson said.
Windows 10 is expected to be released in April next year and will come as standard on its product ranges of smartphones and tablets released after that date, including its flagship Surface range of tablets and smartphone brands acquired with its purchase of Nokia earlier this year.
While Windows 8 maintains a small share of the smartphone OS market in comparison to iOS and Android, it has been steadily growing in Europe and Kantar Worldpanel states its share of the GB market to have been 10.6% in August, up 1.5 percentage points on Marchâs figures.