Windows 10 to get 'holographic' headset and Cortana

Microsoft has revealed that Windows 10 will bring its voice-
controlled assistant Cortana to PCs.
It also unveiled a headset that it said would one day project
the operating system over views of the real world.
In addition, the firm announced that the OS upgrade would be
offered free of charge for devices running Windows 8, Windows
7 and Windows Phone.
The offer, which is limited to the Windows 10's first year of
release, may aid its adoption.
It marks a change in strategy from Microsoft's previous policy
of charging for major updates, and could help avoid a repeat
of the relatively slow uptake of Windows 8.
One analyst suggested the firm had needed to renew interest
in its ecosystem.
"Overall, we know that about only about 10% of computers are
running Windows 8 and the adoption rate among companies is
similar or lower," said Frank Gillett, an analyst at the Forrester
consultancy.
"Developers are not paying much attention to Windows for
mass market consumer apps, and you could even argue that
for enterprise software most of the energy is going into mobile
apps for iPad and Android tablets.
"Windows 10 is in effect a huge invitation to software
developers to write exciting, powerful applications that will
draw consumers.
"My hunch is that they can succeed in getting a new
generation of PC and tablet applications. The challenge is
getting people interested in its phones."
Holographic helmet
Microsoft's chief executive Satya Nadella said the HoloLens
headset represented a "magical moment" of "category
creation" that developers lived for.
Microsoft expects its headset to be used in the home and
workplace, even if it is too bulky for the street
The wearable tech's augmented reality see-through lenses
represent a major leap forward over Google Glass and other
existing eyewear - assuming the machine lives up to its on-
stage demo, in which computer-generated elements appeared
in the world surrounding the wearer.
The company said that the final version of the machine would
not need to be linked to other devices to work, and should be
released within Windows 10's "timeframe".
It revealed Nasa was already working with the kit, and said
the US space agency hoped to start controlling its Mars
rovers with a prototype version as soon as July.
The HoloLens system features a see-through lens, which the
firm said would provide a more "personal" experience than
other devices
Other demos involving the machine included the wearer:
playing Minecraft with the video game's graphics
appearing over living room furniture
seeing a Skype video appear as if it was taking place on a
building wall
creating a model of a drone, which she saw in front of her
face while shaping it by moving her hands and giving
voice commands
"The true innovation HoloLens delivers will be determined by
developer commitment in the months and years to come,"
commented Geoff Blaber from the CCS Insight consultancy.
"Windows 10 is a defining moment for Satya Nadella early in
his tenure as CEO.
"The collaboration required to deliver HoloLens to market is an
encouraging sign that he's breaking down the silos that
slowed innovation and stalled execution in recent years."
Microsoft showed off an augmented reality version of
Minecraft as part of its HoloLens demo
Cortana on PCs
Windows 10 brings the same operating system to devices of
all sizes, rather than having different ones for PCs/tablets,
mobile phones and the firm's Xbox games console.
One of the key features that consumers will be able to use on
PCs from "day one" is Cortana - the voice-controlled tool
previously limited to Windows Phone handsets.
Microsoft executive Joe Belfiore demonstrated how the
software could be told to:
bring up Powerpoint presentation documents
locate photos taken during a specific month
dictate and send emails
tell the user whether or not the weather forecast indicates
they should wear a coat later
show where their car is parked
In addition, Mr Belfiore showed how the software could be
used to respond to requests that had been typed, rather than
spoken into a PC.
Windows 8 had been criticised by some for placing so much
focus on touch-centric commands rather than the mouse and
keyboard.
But Mr Gillett said he thought the addition of Cortana's voice
controls could prove more popular.
Cortana will be able to make suggestions based on a user's
past behaviour
"Voice is a going to complement other ways of interacting
with the computer not be a substitute," he said.
"If you had to say every command instead of touching or
clicking, then that would be annoying.
"But if you can quickly say to Cortana, for example, schedule
lunch with my mum next Tuesday, then that is powerful."
Browsing with Spartan
Mr Belfiore also highlighted one of the core benefits of
Windows 10: a single app will run on multiple types of device,
with the user interface reformatting itself to suit the machine
it is running on, rather than having a different program for
phones, tablets and PCs.
He showed how this meant more advanced versions of the
firm's popular Office programs Excel, Powerpoint and Word
could be brought to handsets running Windows 10 than were
possible under Windows Phone 8. He also demonstrated a new
"universal" Photos app that collates and sorts pictures taken
with different devices.
Mr Belfiore also confirmed reports that the firm's Internet
Explorer web browser was being replaced by a new program
codenamed Project Spartan.
This will have Cortana built-in to allow voice commands and
provide extra personalised information - such as directions to
a restaurant whose website is being looked at.
The software also includes a new "noting mode", which will let
users scribble or type over a page and then share it with
others.
"Project Spartan shows a new Microsoft that is not afraid to
depart from legacy in order to deliver a better experience,"
remarked Carolina Milanesi from Kantar Worldpanel Comtech.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer showed how Microsoft's Surface
Pro tablet could be used to play Xbox One racing game
Forza Horizon 2
The new system also introduces the ability to stream Xbox
One video games from the console to any other Windows 10
PC or tablet on the same wi-fi network.
This means that users will be able to play any game in their
Xbox library on another device in another room of their home if
the property's main TV is being watched by someone else.
The facility is similar to the service Sony offers for its
PlayStation 4 games machine that allows it to stream titles to
Xperia phones and tablets and the PlayStation TV mini-
console.
Analysis: Richard Taylor, North America technology
correspondent
Many of the headline features of today's announcements were
widely expected.
Some - like voice dictation on mobile, a cloud-based music
service and auto-enhance for photos - are strikingly similar to
those already available on rival operating systems.
But others are genuinely innovative - quite aside from its awe-
inspiring holographic ecosystem.
Gamers will appreciate making the traditional gaming
experiences more social and cross-platform.
Heavy web users may be tempted by the collaboration and
offline features of the Spartan web browser, as well as the
deep integration of Cortana.
And the addition of this powerful natural voice assistant on
the desktop is groundbreaking too.
But the case for voice interaction on PCs is not as well-proven
as it is on mobile - and Cortana needs to be well executed,
otherwise the tried and tested keyboard and mouse could still
prove too tempting for users.
Windows 10's user interface is designed to be easy to
adopt for users of Windows 7 and Windows 8
The key question: will the combination of the familiarity of
past versions of Windows and an enhanced feature set be
enough to tempt users to upgrade?
Offering Windows 10 free for the first year is a huge incentive
to kickstart adoption.
Windows 10 is well positioned to capitalise on the resurgence
of PCs.
But Microsoft is hoping for more than this: it needs the OS to
provide a much-needed boost for its mobile ecosystem - and
in this regard Microsoft is betting that its universal approach
to coding apps will be enough to tempt users away from
rivals.
Developers: over to you.