Windows 10 (mobile)

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This article is about Windows 10 on smartphones and sub 8" tablets. For Windows 10 on PCs, see Windows 10.
Windows 10 (mobile)
A version of the Microsoft Windows operating system
Windows 10 Logo.svg
Windows 10 (mobile).jpg
Screenshot of Windows 10 (mobile) on smartphones
Developer Microsoft
Latest preview 9941.12498 / February 12, 2015; 35 days ago (2015-02-12)
Update method Firmware over the air
Platforms ARMv7
Kernel type Hybrid (Windows NT)
Preceded by Windows Phone 8.1 (2014)

Windows 10 (codenamed Threshold) for mobile devices is a mobile operating system, developed by Microsoft, succeeding Windows Phone 8.1. It will primarily aim to bring tighter integration and unification with its PC counterpart Windows 10, and provide a platform for both smartphones, and small tablets under 8 inches in screen size.[1] Windows 10 (mobile) supports ARM as well as Intel x86[2][3][4] system-on-chips.

Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones will be eligible for upgrade to Windows 10, pursuant of manufacturer and carrier support.[5] Some features may vary depending on hardware compatibility.[6]

The first Technical Preview for Windows 10 (mobile) was made available for download to select Lumia smartphones as of February 12, 2015.[7]

Development[edit]

Microsoft had already begun the process of unifying the Windows platform across device classes in 2012; Windows Phone 8 dropped the Windows CE-based architecture of its predecessor, Windows Phone 7,[8] for a platform built upon the NT kernel that shared much of the same architecture with its PC counterpart Windows 8 including file system (NTFS), networking stack, security elements, graphics engine (DirectX), device driver framework and hardware abstraction layer.[9][10] At Build 2014, which was held a few months prior to Nadella's announcement, Microsoft also unveiled the concept of a "universal Windows app". With the addition of Windows Runtime support to these platforms, apps created for Windows 8.1 could now be ported to Windows Phone 8.1 and Xbox One while sharing a common codebase with their PC counterparts. User data and licenses for an app could also be shared between multiple platforms.[11]

In July 2014, Microsoft's then-new CEO Satya Nadella explained that the company was planning to "streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into one single converged operating system for screens of all sizes," unifying Windows, Windows Phone, and Windows Embedded around a common architecture and a unified application ecosystem. However, Nadella stated that these internal changes would not have any effect on how the operating systems are marketed and sold.[12][13]

On September 30, 2014, Microsoft unveiled Windows 10; Terry Myerson explained that Windows 10 would be Microsoft's "most comprehensive platform ever," promoting plans to provide a "unified" platform for desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and all-in-one devices.[14][15] Windows 10 on phones was publicly unveiled during the Windows 10: The Next Chapter press event on January 21, 2015; unlike previous Windows Phone versions, Windows 10 will also expand the platform's focus to small, ARM-based tablets, thus making it a de facto successor to Microsoft's commercially unsuccessful Windows RT platform (which was based upon the PC version of Windows 8).[16] Windows RT devices will receive a different update with some of the features of Windows 10 for PC.[17]

Naming[edit]

In accordance with Microsoft's unification strategy, this version of Windows Phone will be branded primarily as "Windows 10" without any disambiguation, rather than "Windows Phone 10", although it was also referred to as "Windows 10 for phones and small tablets" during the event,[18] and leaked screenshots from a Technical Preview build identified the operating system as "Windows 10 Mobile".[19] Microsoft had begun to phase out specific references to the Windows Phone brand in its advertising in mid-2014. However, critics have still considered the operating system to be an iteration and continuation of Windows Phone due to its lineage and similar overall functionality.[1][20][21] The technical preview is officially called the "Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones".[22]

Features[edit]

A major aspect of the operating system is a focus on harmonizing user experiences and functionality between different classes of devices; particularly, devices running the PC-oriented version of Windows 10, and smartphones. Under the "universal app" concept, Windows Runtime apps for Windows 10 on PC can be ported to other Windows platforms, such as Windows 10 on mobile, and share nearly the same codebase, but with adaptations for the specific device class. Windows 10 on mobile will also, where applicable, share user interface elements with its PC counterpart, such as an updated Action Center and settings menu.[19][11][18][16][23] During its initial unveiling, Microsoft presented several examples of universal apps that would have similar functionality and user interfaces between Windows 10 on desktops and mobile devices, including updated Photos and Maps apps, and new Microsoft Office apps.[24][25][26]

Notifications can be synced between devices; dismissing a notification on, for example, a laptop, will also dismiss it from a phone. Certain types of notifications now allow inline replies. The start screen now has the option to display wallpapers as a background of the screen behind translucent tiles, rather than within the tiles.[27] The messaging app adds support for internet-based Skype messaging alongside SMS, similarly to iMessage, and can synchronize these conversations with other devices.[1][28] The camera app has been updated to match the "Lumia Camera" app previously exclusive to Lumia products,[28] and a new Photos app aggregates content from local storage and OneDrive, and will be able to perform automatic enhancements to photos.[28] The on-screen keyboard now contains a virtual pointing stick for manipulating the text editing cursor, a dedicated voice input button, and can be shifted towards the left or right of the screen to improve one-handed usability on larger devices.[29][28][19]

A new iteration of the Office Mobile suite, Office for Windows 10, will also be included with the operating system. Based upon the Android and iOS versions of Office Mobile, they introduce a new user interface with a variation of the ribbon toolbar used by the desktop version, and a new mobile version of Outlook. Outlook utilizes the same rendering engine as the Windows desktop version of Microsoft Word.[24][30][23] The "Spartan" web browser will replace Internet Explorer Mobile.[31]

Release[edit]

Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones can be upgraded to Windows 10 for mobile, pursuant to hardware compatibility and manufacturer support. Not all phones will receive the update or support all of its features.[5][32]

In November 2014, a post by a Microsoft Twitter account stated that all Nokia and Microsoft Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 would receive updates to 10, but following the official unveiling, Microsoft reiterated and stated that they were targeting the "majority" of Lumia phones.[29] In February 2015, Joe Belfiore stated that Microsoft was "working on" a version of 10 for low-end devices with 512 MB of RAM, specifically citing the Nokia Lumia 520—a model which represents 23.8% of all Windows Phone devices sold, but reaffirmed that not all of its features would be supported on these devices.[32]

The "Windows Insider" program, adopted to provide a public beta version for the PC version of Windows 10,[33] is used to provide a public beta version of Windows 10 for selected mobile devices.[32]

Version history[edit]

See also: Windows Phone version history and Windows 10 § Version history
Stable release Preview release
Table of versions: Windows 10 (mobile)
Version Release date Highlights

9941.12498

February 12, 2015

User interface

  • Home screen wallpaper displayed behind translucent tiles rather than within them.[28]
  • Live tiles can be tall in size.[19]

General user experience

  • App list redesigned with wallpaper as background, recent installed apps at top and ability to search for apps[19][26]
  • Action Center with additional settings toggles and same design across Windows 10 devices[26]
  • Press and hold on Bluetooth toggle takes the user to Bluetooth settings
  • Ability to expand notifications[34]
  • Actionable notifications[26]
  • Notifications can be synchronized between other Windows 10 devices.[28]
  • Device encryption option
  • Keyboard contains virtual pointing stick for text selection and a voice input button[26]
  • Keyboard can be made smaller and shifted to the left or right of the screen for one-handed use on large-screen devices.[19]
  • Possibility for speech input in virtually any data field one can type.[35][36]
  • Reminder of coming calendar events when turning the device off.[37]

Apps

Unknown

Not yet released

User interface

  • Transparent tiles with background within as in Windows Phone 8.1[42]

General user experience

  • Possibility to delete the primary Microsoft account without resetting the device[43]
  • LED notification support for individual apps[44]
  • Smart dialing[45]

Apps

Online services

  • Skype integration for messaging and calls. Conversations and contacts can be synced with Messaging app on Windows 10 on PC.[26][28][49][50]

Camera[51]

  • Independent flash control
  • Profile
  • Extended variable photo sequence
  • Face detection
  • Variable frame rate (slow motion)
  • Video HDR
  • Square aspect ratio resolutions
Portal icon Microsoft portal
Portal icon Information technology portal

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Savov, Vlad. "Windows 10 makes its phone debut". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 21 January 2015. 
  2. ^ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/569313/microsoft-intel-team-low-cost-windows-10-phones/
  3. ^ http://www.pcworld.com/article/2889155/intel-announces-atom-x3-sofia-chip-new-cherry-trail-atoms-for-tablets.html
  4. ^ http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Processors/Intel-Launches-Atom-x3-x5-and-x7-Processors-Phones-Tablets-and-2-1s
  5. ^ a b Bright, Peter (24 January 2015). "Every Windows Phone 8 phone will get Windows 10, except the ones that won’t". Ars Technica. 
  6. ^ "Yes, Windows 10 is Coming to Low-End Windows Phones". thurrot.com. Petri. February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015. 
  7. ^ Devine, Richard (12 February 2015). "Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones now available to download!". Windows Central. Mobile Nations. Retrieved 12 February 2015. 
  8. ^ "Windows Phone 7 based on a hybrid Windows CE 6 / Compact 7 kernel?". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  9. ^ "Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 share lots of code, NT kernel". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  10. ^ "Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 finally gets a 'real' Windows core". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  11. ^ a b "Microsoft's universal Windows apps run on tablets, phones, Xbox, and PCs". PC World. IDG. Retrieved April 5, 2014. 
  12. ^ "Nadella Raises Eyebrows With Plans to 'Streamline' Windows". PC Magazine. Retrieved October 1, 2014. 
  13. ^ "Why did Microsoft choose Windows 10 instead of Windows 9?". Techradar. Retrieved September 30, 2014. 
  14. ^ "Microsoft reveals Windows 10". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 30, 2014. 
  15. ^ Oremus, Will (September 30, 2014). "Windows 8 Was So Bad That Microsoft Is Skipping Windows 9". Slate. Retrieved September 30, 2014. 
  16. ^ a b "Microsoft has 'tailored' version of Windows 10 for phones, tablets". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 23 January 2015. 
  17. ^ "Microsoft's Windows RT isn't dead ... yet". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 January 2015. 
  18. ^ a b "Our first look at Windows 10 on phones, and Universal Apps for touchscreens". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 23 January 2015. 
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h "Leaked images of Windows 10 for phones show us what to expect". Ars Technica. Retrieved 7 February 2015. 
  20. ^ "Microsoft is killing the Nokia and Windows Phone brands". The Verge. Retrieved 30 January 2015. 
  21. ^ "Windows Phone 10 to be called just Windows 10". GSMArena. Retrieved 21 January 2015. 
  22. ^ Surur, Suril (13 February 2015). "Technical Preview on any WP8 handset with a microSD card slot". WMPowerUser. 
  23. ^ a b "Microsoft previews universal apps for Windows 10 PCs, tablets, and phones". The Verge. Retrieved 7 February 2015. 
  24. ^ a b c "Microsoft's touch-friendly Office apps now available to download for Windows 10". PC World. IDG. Retrieved 6 February 2015. 
  25. ^ "The next chapter of Office on Windows". Office Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved 6 February 2015. 
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Microsoft Windows 10 Event January 2015 (Full)". Microsoft. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015. 
  27. ^ "Microsoft finally shows off Windows 10 on smartphones and small tablets". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 22 January 2015. 
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i "This is Windows 10 for phones". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 22 January 2015. 
  29. ^ a b "Microsoft reneges on Windows 10 upgrades for all current Lumia phones". PC World. IDG. Retrieved 23 January 2015. 
  30. ^ "Microsoft previews Office for Windows 10 phones and small tablets". The Verge. Retrieved 7 February 2015. 
  31. ^ "Project Spartan and the Windows 10 January Preview Build". IEBlog. Microsoft. Retrieved 23 January 2015. 
  32. ^ a b c "Joe Belfiore: Windows 10 update for 512MB phones in the works". GSMArena. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  33. ^ "Microsoft launches Windows Insider Program to get Windows betas". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 1, 2014. 
  34. ^ http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-phone-expand-notifications
  35. ^ http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/02/12/announcing-the-first-build-of-windows-10-technical-preview-for-phones-2/
  36. ^ http://www.neowin.net/news/what039s-new-in-the-first-windows-10-technical-preview-for-phones
  37. ^ http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-phones-will-remind-you-appointments-even-youre-shutting-it-down
  38. ^ http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2015/02/12/internet-explorer-in-the-windows-10-technical-preview-for-phones.aspx
  39. ^ http://www.windowscentral.com/file-explorer-windows-10-phone-video-tour
  40. ^ "Confirmed: Windows 10 Alarm app will also be in Windows 10 for phones". WMPowerUser.com. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  41. ^ http://www.windowscentral.com/impressive-calculator-windows-10-phones-will-convert-all-things
  42. ^ http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-will-bring-transparent-tiles-windows-10-phones
  43. ^ http://wmpoweruser.com/screenshots-from-windows-10-for-phones-build-8-15-12521-reveals-new-features/
  44. ^ http://wmpoweruser.com/screenshots-from-windows-10-for-phones-build-8-15-12521-reveals-new-features/
  45. ^ http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-10-to-bring-smart-dialling-back-to-windows-phone/
  46. ^ http://wmpoweruser.com/screenshots-from-windows-10-for-phones-build-8-15-12521-reveals-new-features/
  47. ^ a b "Windows 10's new features: Cortana, a 'Spartan' browser, Xbox streaming, and more". PC World. IDG. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  48. ^ "MSDN Blogs". msdn.com. Microsoft. 
  49. ^ "Windows 10: a closer look at the future of Microsoft's vision for PCs". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 7 February 2015. 
  50. ^ "Microsoft is turning Skype into its own version of iMessage in Windows 10". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 9 February 2015. 
  51. ^ Surur, Suril (19 March 2015). "Windows 10 to finally bring slow motion video to Windows Phone". Windows Mobile PowerUser. 
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