Microsoft has just recently unveiled details regarding their next Windows operating system, Windows 10. Aligning with their new mantra, “One product family, one platform, one store,” the company is aiming to bring the core of Windows 10 to their Xbox One gaming console.
In doing so, Microsoft will allow developers to bring games and applications from other platforms, such as personal computers and mobile devices, to the Xbox One, saying, “Windows 10 will run across an incredibly broad set of devices.”
The company has stated that the Xbox One Windows 10 update will arrive sometime next year. Read more details on Microsoft’s plan to bring the Windows 10 operating system to the Xbox One after the break.
Windows 10 on Xbox One
As admirable as Microsoft’s desire to make games and applications universal across multiple platforms is, not every single Windows or Windows Phone app will be available for the Xbox One.
The company has said that there will have to be compromises. Windows applications will be indeed be able to work on any Microsoft device, albeit a few caveats. In order for various games and applications to work consistently on a multitude of different devices, all with varying hardware configurations, Microsoft has designed Windows 10 with a common core that will be able to run on any of their devices.
Naturally, the OS’ user interface will differ based on the form factor of the respective device.
Furthermore, Microsoft’s touted “universal” applications (previously dubbed the “Metro” series) will be able to run on the Xbox One, as well as other devices. However, PC “legacy” applications (i.e. Windows Excel, Adobe Photoshop, et cetera) will not.
Microsoft’s ultimate goal is to allow Windows users to use any application or play any game on any platform. This has been hinted at in the past by previous reports of the company working on allowing people to play Xbox One games on their computers via the Internet Explorer browser.
Steven Kleynhans, research analyst and the vice president of Gartner, had the following to say about Windows 10’s penultimate aspiration:
“Strategically, Windows 10 is the right move for Microsoft. It plays on their strengths. They’ve got a lot of talent when it comes to building operating systems, and this move allows them to focus that talent and build one product instead of several. This allows them to build an excellent operating system all the way through, that runs on any kind of device.”
Microsoft has stated that more Windows 10 details will arrive sometime in early 2015.
What are your thoughts on Windows 10 coming to Xbox One? Do you feel that Microsoft’s desire to make their applications and games “universal” will pan out? Why or why not?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.
Source: IBTimes.com
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