Windows 10 news

If Microsoft had a booth at CES I didn’t see it – though I think their OEM group was there, there may have been some private demo suites and there were obviously lots of laptops running Microsoft software. They used to be a big player at CES, but a couple of years ago they pretty much dropped out.

I think this year they were more focused on Windows 10 and this week’s Consumer Preview Event.

It looks like Windows 10 will continue the every-other-operating-system-is-good tradition at Microsoft. And Windows 10 looks like what Windows 8 should have been.

Here’s a recap of what they announced this week:

• Universal apps for PCs, phones and tablets
• “Spartan” web browser – faster competition for Chrome, Firefox
• New Windows Phone operating system is Windows 10
• Cortana coming to the desktop (Microsoft’s version of Siri or Google Now)
• W-10 is a free upgrade for Win 7 and 8.1 owners
• Xbox integration
• Surface Hub (Microsoft video conferencing) will run Windows 10
• HoloLens holographic augmented reality headset supported by Windows 10

I’ve seen a couple of quick demos, but really don’t know much about it, first-hand. Next week the Microsoft Insider Program will allow people to download the preview. I’m planning to do this and I’ll report here on the results.