Microsoft officially introduces Windows 11, its next-generation operating system (OS) to the public in a virtual event today. The company announces new features and products users can expect in the next version of Windows. These include a user interface overhaul, redesigned start menu, new app store with android apps and more. The OS is coming next week to Windows Insiders and will be officially available this holiday (October – November 2021) as a free upgrade.
I have to say, phew! There are a lot of goodies coming. Led by CEO, Satya Nadella and CVP, Panos Panay, it showcased more than what we saw in the leaked build. Here is a trailer of the Windows 11 OS from Microsoft. I must say it is breathtaking and best watched in 4K if you can, to get a better first impression of what is next and coming. I’ll share in-depth details on this down below. You can also watch the livestream event and relive the experience in full here.
Windows 11 – Redesigned OS, Refreshed look, More faster
Even though this is a new Windows, Microsoft has kept it familiar based on user feedback and from past experiences. It has taken Windows 10, tweaked and fined it and given it a refreshing look. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is that Microsoft moved away from the sharp edges and pointy corners to softer, touchable and rounded edges. Microsoft also improved the typography and layering for eligibility and readability. There are new themes and desktop wallpapers with Bloom being popular among the lot. The OS design including icons looks modern, calm and clean. It comes with new tools, apps, and system sounds.
Microsoft CVP, Panos Panay, says Windows is faster. Waking your PC from sleep, Windows Hello, browsing on Edge or any browser is faster. He notes, Windows updates are 40% smaller and more efficient because they happen in the background. It uses less energy which translates to more battery life.
A new Start Menu
Microsoft says it has simplified the design and user experience of the start menu. The start menu and taskbar icons are now centred by default. But we know from the leaks you can change this to the left if you don’t want it centred. The search bar in the start menu allows you to search for things on your PC, OneDrive or the web. Microsoft says the start uses the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you all your recent files irrespective of the platform you used them on earlier. So you can see your recent iOS and Android files in the start menu. It has transitions and transparency to guide you from app to app. You can also choose between light and dark modes.
New Microsoft Store + install Android apps on Windows 11 OS
Microsoft says it rebuilt the Microsoft store from the ground up and is making sure every app you need is there. The big reveal is Android apps are coming to Windows. Yes, you can install android apps on your Windows 11 PC and integrated them into the start, taskbar, etc. You will be able to search for Android apps in the Microsoft Store and download them through the Amazon Appstore, also in the Microsoft store. This is possible through the Intel Bridge technology. With this technology, Microsoft could bring more stores in the future including Samsung. Google Play and Huawei app store.
If you are a developer, Microsoft wants you to bring any technology to the store. And if you bring your own commerce engine to the Windows store you keep 100% of the revenue. But if you use theirs the revenue share is 85/15.
The Microsoft Store has a redesigned entertainment tab that lets you now enjoy video content from various streaming services.
Windows Widgets
Another feature Microsoft introduced is Windows Widget, a personalized feed powered by AI to serve you personalized curated content. You get information from weather, stocks, calendar, photos, news, to do, and any app you add.
Multitasking – Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops
Microsoft is introducing new multitasking experiences with Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops. Snap Layouts are layouts tailored to the size of your screen. It organizes your opened apps and optimizes the screen size to help you multitask easily. Snap Groups is a collection of apps you are using in a Snap Layout stored in the taskbar and Windows remembers them even after you switch to something else. You are now able to switch between apps and projects, Microsoft says. When you are using an extra monitor when you undock the windows minimize to your laptop and returns to the exact screen when you reconnect it. You will not have to reconfigure your layout. Desktops now let you display a different set of apps, and you can personalize each desktop with custom wallpapers.
More Features
Microsoft Teams is now directly integrated into Windows with one-touch. Microsoft says you can chat, voice and video call anyone on any device irrespective of platform. It works seamlessly across Windows, iOS, Android. It isn’t clear yet if Teams is replacing Skype with this announcement.
Gaming on Windows 11 is set to deliver superior graphics thanks to auto-HDR with no effort required from the player or developer. Auto HDR will automatically update the game’s lighting and colour to High Dynamic Range (HDR). But you need to have a Monitor that supports HDR for this to work. Thanks to breakthrough technology, Direct Storage API, games will load faster than ever in Windows 11. Microsoft is bringing hundreds of games to the PC by building Xbox game pass through the Xbox app on Windows 11. Xbox cloud gaming will also make it possible to play your console games on your PC through the Xbox app.
Microsoft shares you will see improvements and innovations in touch, pen, voice and keyboard making Windows adapt to you.
System Requirements for upgrade to Windows 11
The basic system hardware requirements for the Windows 11 OS are higher and different from Windows 10. This is because some of the new features require newer and specific hardware. You will need a processor with 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a 64 bit System on a Chip (SoC). 4 GB of RAM and at least 64 GB of storage size and a graphics card that is DirectX 12 compatible. Microsoft says if your device doesn’t meet them you will not be able to install Windows 11 and suggests purchasing a new one. You can use this PC health check app from Microsoft to check the compatibility of your device.
Get Windows 11
Microsoft Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs when it becomes available officially this holiday (October – November 2021). New PCs will come with Windows 11 installed.
Next week, Microsoft will release an early build with Windows Insiders. But there changes on how to receive Windows 11 Insider Preview builds. This is majorly due to the updated baseline hardware system requirements for Windows 11. If your device meets Windows 11 hardware requirements you can get access to all the insider channels. If your device doesn’t meet the requirements but meets the WIP’s, you will be eligible for the Dev Channel but with degraded experience and features. Release Preview Channel isn’t available either. When your device doesn’t meet the WIP’s hardware requirement you will not be eligible for Beta and Release preview Channels. There will be limited exceptions to the dev channel where PCs will be allowed updates only via flighting until general availability. Then PCs will need to take action to go back to Windows 10.
Microsoft will keep supporting Windows 10 through 14 October 2025.
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Microsoft is introducing the next generation of Windows at 3 PM GMT, 6 PM EAT, 5 PM SAT today. The company will for the first time reveal what it has secretly been working on. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella mentioned at Build 2021 he has been self-hosting its development over the past several months. Saying it is one of the most significant updates to the Windows operating system over the past decade.
We have seen the leaked Windows 11 build showing the new start menu and user interface changes. But we know that is an early build and there will be changes by the time Microsoft introduces it to the public. We expect to hear more about the store and how Microsoft will make it the most innovative new open platform to build, distribute and monetize applications.
At the event to introduce Windows 10, six years ago, Microsoft also introduced the HoloLens and Surface Hub. It also talked about Xbox on Windows 10 and I believe the company will do something similar this year. Talking about the whole ecosystem of products that rely on Windows.
The event is streaming on the Microsoft website and we will embed the video above when it starts. Microsoft is also hosting another event on what’s next for developers later in the day. We will also bring you updates on all the new features and developments as they get announced at the event. Stay tuned.
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Microsoft will unveil what it calls the next generation of Windows at an event on the 24th of June. But let’s just say you have the opportunity to suggest a new feature in the next-generation Windows 11 operating system(OS), what will it be?
What new feature will you want to be in Windows 11 and what will you want taken out? I understand this is what the Windows Insider program lives for. I also understand it might be too late to get this in even if the Microsoft program managers are reading this and see your brilliant suggestion. This suggestion is for a new Windows OS that Microsoft is building and wants your feedback on? One that is modern and meets the needs of every kind of PC user.
Will you want a new looking OS? Because what we have seen in the leaks doesn’t really look new. That is if you look at the transition from Windows 3.1 to 95, then Windows 95 to Vista and 7. Oh, I almost forgot Windows 8. This was the most radical change I guess we saw? But seeing how people responded to the change and the slow adoption, I believe Microsoft will be wary of doing something like this.
So go ahead and tell me what you will like to see.
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Microsoft will announce Windows 11 at a Microsoft event on June 24th. Ahead of the official launch event, Windows 11 leaked images and an operating system (OS) with Build number 21996.1 have shown up online. The Windows 11 leak seems legit and shows what looks like a new start menu, user interface, Windows widgets, etc.
The leaked version shows an all-new out-of-box redesigned setup experience. There are still familiar things from Windows 10 and everything in the look isn’t a refresh. But most things have a visually refreshed outlook. It comes with a new startup sound, sound effects and really nice looking default wallpapers. I’ll see if it tempts me away from the Bing desktop wallpapers.
The Start Menu, taskbar icons and widgets are now in the centre by default. People who have spent time with the OS say you can move it back to the left side. The Start menu looks just like the cancelled Windows 10X and doesn’t have live tiles. The Start menu icon uses a new modern look and is similar to the Microsoft logo. More like a blue version of the Microsoft logo. When you open new applications they add up on the right side of the taskbar and it grows and spreads but aligns to the centre. You can change the taskbar alignment from the taskbar settings by right-clicking on the taskbar. You can opt to not show widgets buttons and can choose to hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
One thing to note is that some of the old Windows features like control panel, task manager, computer management still looks the same.
Microsoft hasn’t said this yet but I believe Windows 11 just like 10 will comes as a free upgrade to Windows 10 users. And upgrading to 11 will also be over the air from the Windows update settings.
some of the new UX changes coming with Microsoft’s next OS
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Samsung Electronics is announcing the Galaxy Book Go and Galaxy Book Go 5G laptops as new additions to the Book series. The devices are expected to be the most affordable versions in the series with a retail price of $349. The laptops come in Wi-Fi and LTE versions and are expected to be available in June this year. A 5G model will come later on in the year. The other laptops in the series are the Galaxy Book Pro, Galaxy Book Pro 360 and Galaxy Book.
The Galaxy Book Go series has a smart clean finish. It is light at about 1.4kg and is also thin. The top of the device feels smooth whilst the bottom feels like it has a grip. It comes with a 14-inch Full HD display with a slim bezel and has an aero shape design. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform, with optional LTE connectivity. Whilst the 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G compute platform. It runs an ARM processor so it doesn’t come with a fan for airflow. Ports include USB C and A, a headphone jack and a SIM card tray. It has a 180-degree folding hinge.
The go devices are good for lightweight office works, browsing, emails, streaming, etc. It can be a good companion for students as well.
Galaxy Book Go Specifications
Dimensions
323.9 x 224.8 x 14.9mm
Weight
1.38kg
OS
Windows 10 Home / Pro
Display
14-inch TFT FHD (1920 x 1080)
CPU
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7c Gen 2 compute platform
Graphics
Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
Connectivity
LTE, Wi-Fi 5, 802.11 ac 2×2,Bluetooth v5.1
Color
Silver
Memory
4GB, 8GB (LPDDR4X)
Storage
64GB, 128GB (eUFS)
Camera / Mic
720p HD / Digital Mic
Battery
42.3Wh (Typical)
Adapter
25W USB Type-C Fast Charger
Speakers
Dolby Atmos®
Port
USB Type-C (2), USB 2.0 (1), 3.5pi Headphone/Mic,MicroSD, Nano-SIM, Nano Security slot
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Is it Windows 11? Microsoft will unveil what’s next for Windows in a Microsoft event to take place on June 24th. The company will share details on what CEO, Satya Nadella, calls ‘one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade‘. The online event will start at these times: 11 am EST, 3 pm GMT, 6 pm EAT, 5 pm SAT and 4 pm WAT.
It has been six years since Windows 10 became generally available to the public and Microsoft will be looking to freshen things up. Based on leaks and rumours, we are likely to see a new app store and user interface. What we do know is that Satya has been keeping a keen eye on the development process. Noting, “I’ve been self-hosting it over the past several months”.
Microsoft has not officially said what the name of the next version of Windows will be. But Windows 11 seems to be high on the rumour list. Should we also use the event invite image Microsoft put out, I am pretty sure you can see the Windows logo and reflection of the Windows logo as 11.
There are two things from a developer perspective that Microsoft will do with the next update in Windows as shared by Satya at Build 2021. The first is using Windows to “unlock greater economic opportunities for developers and creators“. The second is making Windows the “most innovative new open platform to build, distribute and monetize applications“. They might be related and the same but we will be hearing more on these and more at the event.
Stay tuned and we will bring you more updates on this on the day of the event.
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