In designing Windows 10 the Microsoft OS team had making computing very personal for the end user says Corporate Vice President, Operating Systems Group at Microsoft Joe Belfiore and as such are introducing like some of the other already cool features (if you are signed up for the Insiders Program you’ll know this) another cool new “personal computing” feature – Windows Hello and Microsoft Passport -.
Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature which can provide instant access to your Windows 10 devices. With Windows Hello, you’ll be able to just show your face, or touch your finger to new devices running Windows 10 and be immediately recognized without hassle. And not only is Windows Hello more convenient than typing a password—it’s more secure! Our system enables you to authenticate applications, enterprise content, and even certain online experiences without a password being stored on your device or in a network server at all.
How Windows Hello works?
It uses a system support for biometric authentication using the face, iris or fingerprint with specialized hardware including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors. If your device already has a fingerprint reader, you’ll be able to use Windows Hello to unlock that device, A picture of you or someone trying to impersonate you can’t be used to login. The cameras use infrared technology (like that of the Kinect technology) to identify your face or iris and can recognize you in a variety of lighting conditions.
Microsoft Passport is a code name for a programming system that IT managers, software developers and website authors can use to provide a more secure way of letting you sign-in to their sites or apps. Instead of using a shared or shareable secret like a password, Windows 10 helps to securely authenticate to applications, websites and networks on your behalf—without sending up a password. Thus, there is no shared password stored on their servers for a hacker to potentially compromise.
Microsoft passport gives you access to online content and apps without passwords but more securely and will work with your Microsoft account and the Azure active directory and other sites using the azure active directory.
At the renewed Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, Terry Myerson, Microsoft executive vice president of the Operating Systems group spoke about Windows 10’s innovation and opportunity to partners.
He shared that Windows 10 will be available this summer in 190 countries and in 111 languages. He also stressed on Microsoft’s commitment to offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for hundreds of millions of customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 for the first year after it is released.
Microsoft has announced Windows 10 will be available for free for the first year after launch. Microsoft’s Operating System Group chief Terry Myerson made the announcement at the Next Chapter media briefing. This strategy he said is a way we shared our desire to redefine the relationship we have with you our customers. It’s also a way to get more users on a common Windows release across all types of devices to give developers a more unified platform for which to build their apps.
“We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year! And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time for no additional charge.
And just like any Internet service, the idea of asking “What version are you on?” will cease to make sense which is great news for our Windows developers. With universal Windows apps that work across the entire device family, developers can build one app that targets the broadest range of devices including the PC, tablet, phone, Xbox, the Internet of Things, and more
For enterprise customers and partners, we will continue to deliver exclusive value and offer extensive flexibility in how Windows 10 is deployed and managed as Windows evolves to become a service. For companies that require these enterprise-grade capabilities, Windows Software Assurance (SA) will continue to offer the best and most comprehensive benefits.”
Despite Microsoft making Windows 10 free upgrade, it expects your device to qualify for it;
“It is our intent that most of these devices will qualify but some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise outside of this offer.”
With all the features coming in Windows 10 and it being available for free as an upgrade I don’t believe you’ll like to be left out. Did Microsoft get it right this time around? What do you think?
If you have upgraded your Windows Phone 8.0 using the developers preview program to 8.1 you’ll realize as part of the significant changes in the OS Internet Explorer had its share of the update.
The massive upgrade from the IE team is centered on these areas; quick site access, fast and fluid browsing, safety and privacy, and accessibility.
You’ll notice the ease with which you can now access a website with the upgraded frequent sites and url predictions.
The number of multi-tabs you can open has also been increased from the previous allowed six to as many as you want opened. Accessing tabs has been made very easy, having it right next to the address bar. The refresh button is also immediately available,
Internet Explorer 11 allows you to sync your browsing data across phone, tablet and PC. This includes your favorites, history, passwords and opened tabs so you can easily pick up from where you left off when you switch devices “finally say goodbye to emailing yourself links!”
IE updates for windows phone
If you loved live and pinned sites on Windows 8.1 get ready as it’s now available, unlike previously when your pinned favorite blog was a screen shot on your windows phone, you now have rich site icons that update in the background.
Some other upgraded features include In-line video playback, Reading View, Remembering passwords, Swipe to go back and forward just like on a PC or tablet, saving Downloaded files, Safety and privacy (anti-phishing protection with Smart Screen Filter, DoNotTrack signal) InPrivate, DataSense, High Savings Mode (downloads only the most important pieces of the Web site and heavily compresses images) and Accessibility.
Head over to the IE blog for all the detailed updates
What do you think of these updates in the new IE 11 for #WindowsPhone 8.1, we look forward to your thoughts, leave comments below.
Microsoft has released a significant update for the desktop operating system and RT devices like the Microsoft Surface. In this update keyboard and mouse users will experience improvements designed instinctively for them. The operating system is very user friendly now to Keyboard and mouse users, as the first was more touch inclined.
What is evident is this; when you are using a mouse, windows optimizes for a mouse and when using touch it gives you touch options.
Below are the details of the 8.1 Update;
Easier access to your favorite apps and key controls
1. Power and Search buttons on the Start screen
You can find the new power and search buttons in the upper-right corner of the Start screen next to your account picture. You’ll be able to quickly and easily shut down your PC or search for things right from Start.
Windows 8.1
2. All open and pinned apps appear in the taskbar
If you enjoy working in the desktop environment, you’ll see both desktop apps and metro UI apps from the Windows Store in your taskbar when they’re running. You can also pin any app to the taskbar so you can quickly open or switch between apps from the desktop.
3. Access the taskbar from anywhere
When using a mouse you’ll be able to see the taskbar from any screen, including Start or a windowed (metro UI) app. Move your mouse pointer below the bottom edge of the screen to show the taskbar and then click an app to open or switch to it.
4. Go to the desktop when you sign in, instead of Start Screen
If you call yourself a desktop person and not a fun of the metro UI apps, you can sign in/boot directly to the desktop instead of the Start screen. If you have a change of heart/mind and want to sign in to start instead, you can change this setting at any time.
More familiar mouse and keyboard options 1. The Minimize button, Close button, and taskbar are more available with your mouse
Your mouse now works more consistently anywhere in Windows, just your mouse to the top of the screen to see Close and Minimize buttons in any app. Move your mouse down to the bottom of the screen to see the taskbar from anywhere in Windows.
2. Right-click an app tile to see more options
If you’re using a mouse and you right-click on a tile on Start, you’ll see a context menu next to the tile that shows what you can do with the tile.
Windows Desktop
It’s now simpler to find new apps, you can discover apps when you use the search charm, and Bing smart includes apps in the search results. You also can now easily see your most recently installed apps.
If you’re already running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update are available for free through Windows Update.
Have you installed the update, have you noticed any changes, are you skeptical sound off in the comments.
