Microsoft used a preview event on 14th May to reveal more details about what Windows 10 on smartphones is going to look like. Content writing services and those involved in video production will be interested to learn that Windows 10 Mobile, as the new smartphone version of the operating system is being called, will include software for the new universal Office apps, the new Windows Store Beta and the Xbox app.
Windows Store Beta, Microsoft’s new app store, will have carrier billing included – the first time that Microsoft has done this. As a result, purchases from the Windows Store will form part of a user’s bill, though this feature has not been enabled in the Beta version. The Windows Store app also has a preview version of the redeveloped Xbox app. Microsoft used its Xbox blog to reveal that users will be able to access activity feeds, friends list, achievement, activity alerts and messages using the preview, watch Game DVR clips and connect to Xbox One. Additional Xbox features will be added in the coming weeks, including Game Hubs, OneGuide integration and live TV streaming.
Microsoft is also rolling out the preview version of its new Office apps for Windows Phone users, again using the new Store Beta app. These apps are similar in many ways to the Office suite for iOS and Android phone users, with small changes to take the Windows mobile interface into account. A notable difference is that the commands menu has switched to the bottom of the display, a move designed to make one-handed use easier, according to Microsoft.
The new camera app includes video stabilisation and facial recognition, and has new HDR features. With the new music preview app, users can integrate music from their OneDrive account. The new music app also makes it easier to switch from one song to another.
Microsoft is to release the technical preview to a wider number of devices, and has announced that the HTC One M8 for Windows as well as the Lumia 930, Lumia Icon, Lumia 640 and 640XL models are all eligible. The technical preview is early-release software, and users should perhaps hold off on putting it on their primary device until full release.
