Windows 10 coming 'this summer'

Microsoft divulges more info on upcoming OS launch

Microsoft has revealed that Windows 10 will be available from "this summer" as it talked up the operating system's Internet of Things (Io)T) capabilities.

At a Windows Hardware Engineering Community summit in Shenzhen today, Microsoft said Windows 10 will be available in 190 countries and 111 languages "this summer", but was tight-lipped on a specific release date.

Yesterday, the vendor readied its channel partners for the upcoming launch, offering resources and tools to resellers so they can be prepared for any early customer enquiries.

The firm's executive vice president of operating systems Terry Myerson said the latest offering will be its most secure yet thanks to a new user-authentication processes.

"Windows Hello will make Windows 10 more personal by providing instant access to your devices through biometric authentication – using your face, iris or fingerprint to unlock your devices – with technology that is significantly safer than traditional passwords," he said. "We're working closely with our hardware partners to deliver Windows Hello-capable devices that will ship with Windows 10."

Windows 10 will be optimised for the IoT trend, added Myerson.

"For the first time, a new version of Windows for small-footprint IoT devices will be available – for free – when Windows 10 launches," he said.

"Windows 10 will offer versions of Windows for a diverse set of IoT devices, ranging from powerful devices such as ATMs and ultrasound machines, to resource-constrained devices such as gateways."