Windows 10 with Seven Editions for All Devices
Microsoft has announced seven different editions of its Windows 10 in an official Windows blog post.
Windows 10 not only brings support for Android and iOS apps (albeit with minor alterations) but it also unites all of the devices and types of consumers that run its Windows OS. With Windows 10, PCs, smartphones, tablets, Xbox for both personal and enterprise users will be sold under a single banner. The different editions and their features are detailed below:
1. Windows 10 Home Edition
Windows 10 Home will be the basic and typical OS for the majority of users for their desktops, laptops, tablets and convertibles. The Home edition will host features like Cortana, the new Microsoft Edge Browser (previously known as Project Spartan), Continuum mode for touchscreen devices (which allows the OS to transform as per the display and input method), Windows Hello with facial, iris and fingerprint recognition, Windows Passport and several proprietary Windows apps that are available for all the devices. All other editions of Windows 10 carry the basic Home version features and capabilities.
All previous Windows 7 and 8 users will get the upgrade for free of the update within the first year of the launch of the OS.
2. Windows 10 Pro Edition
The Pro version of Windows 10 is targeted towards professional and business users who have slightly more advanced needs than a Home user. Windows 10 Pro integrates efficient management of multiple synced devices and apps and also includes data protection, remote and mobile support via cloud technology and several similar features. Similar to Windows 10 Home users, all previous Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 Pro users will be upgraded to the new edition free of cost.
3. Windows 10 Mobile Edition
Windows 10 brings smartphones and PCs at par in terms of functionality. Microsoft had a well thought-out plan that has allowed them to unite the phone and desktop version of the OS. The idea of uniting such unequal platforms received some criticism initially but the details so far show promising results.
Windows 10 Mobile will replace Windows Phone 8.1 and bring advanced security, productivity and management tools to the small screen devices (that means phones and small tablets). Windows 10 Mobile features Continuum for phone (Transforms to a full OS on a big screen) which brings PC experience to the mobile devices.
Windows 10 Mobile users will also get the upgrade from previous versions free of cost, conditional to the hardware limitations of their devices.
4. Windows 10 Enterprise Edition
With Windows 10, Microsoft has dug deep into the enterprise sector to regain some of the lost market from the Linux OS. Windows 10 Enterprise offers advanced features suited for medium to large sized corporations. The OS offers better security, OS deployment and management and app management with the new version of Windows.
5. Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise Edition
Microsoft is stepping one step ahead of all its competitors by offering Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise edition which supports smartphones and tablets for their corporate users. Windows Enterprise for mobile devices will include all of the features which are a part of Windows 10 Enterprise. These include the more security, device and productivity management. This version of the OS also allows easy management of the update system.
6. Windows 10 Education Edition
Since the inception of Google Chrome OS, Microsoft has been losing share in the education sector. Microsoft wishes to improve its Education sector user base with Windows 10. Windows offers a separate edition for schools and universities. Teachers, students and administrative staff will be able to take advantage of the Windows 10 Education through academic Volume Licensing. Other feature information regarding this version is scarce so far.
7. Windows 10 Internet of Things Core
With Windows 10, Microsoft has shown it realises the future of internet of things and has released a separate version for it. The new Windows 10 Internet of Things Core will power internet connected hardware like ATMs, elevators, Point-of-Sale terminals, industry robots and similar equipment.
Microsoft has already announced that Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows. The OS will keep on getting incremental updates but there will be no other version of the OS. With this move, Microsoft has changed made Windows a service based platform.
Microsoft did not mention the exact details but stated a summer release for the new OS in 190 countries and 111 languages.
Source: Microsoft Blog
