Microsoft Announces Windows 10 Anniversary Update

In Build 2016 developer conference, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 users can expect an “Anniversary update” to PCs, tablets, smartphones, Xbox One and Microsoft HoloLens by this summer.

In the eight months since launch, Windows 10 is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with over 270 million active devices, outpacing Windows 7 in the same timeframe by 145%. People are spending more time on Windows than ever before – over 75 billion hours – with the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows. We are on track to reach our ambitious goal of one billion Windows 10 devices in the next few years. We welcome everyone to Windows 10, whether you have a new PC, a five-year-old PC, or a brand new Mac – we are building the most secure, productive, and fun platform for you.

This update is free for all Windows 10 customers brings many sought after features like Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge, Windows Ink, improved Cortana, and a unified app store for Xbox One and PC.

Key Features

Windows Hello With Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge

Windows Hello, will now allow you to login to Windows apps using biometrics and if you are Microsoft Edge user, you can also login to websites without entering passwords, making Edge as the first and only browser to natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.

Windows Ink

Windows Ink will bring an all-new experience by allowing you to write on your device as you do on paper, creating sticky notes, drawing on a whiteboard, and easily sharing your analog thoughts in the digital world. Windows Ink will also be integrated into apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge, and Office.

Cortana

Microsoft is bringing lot of improvement to Cortana that allows her to proactively make suggestions for you through-out your day, like offering to buy you lunch or arrange transportation. Cortana will also be available above the lock screen, giving you quicker access to her for common tasks across all types of devices without unlocking your PC. In addition, you can complete certain notification-based tasks on your Windows or Android phone, such as receiving and sending text messages, on your PC.

Another thing is Developers will now have full access to Cortana’s proactive intelligence through proactive actions, allowing your apps to perform tasks based on user context by linking existing actions in your deep-link enabled apps and websites.

Universal Windows Platform For Xbox & Unified Windows Store For Xbox One And PC

Microsoft will introduce a unified Windows Store for Xbox One and PC, meaning that a game purchased via Xbox One will also be available to play on your PC and vice versa. This will offer a unified store experience for all developers, creating new opportunities to reach millions of new customers.

Also with this update UWP programs, more specifically games will get features like support for multiple GPUs and the ability to turn off v-sync. Game developers have access to a fully open ecosystem with the Universal Windows Platform, making it easy to bring the games people love to both Xbox One and other Windows 10 devices. With the Anniversary Update, any Xbox One can be a developer kit with Xbox Dev Mode, enabling anyone to develop for the living room.

Apart from this, Microsoft is also shipping HoloLens to developers bringing holograms into our world, enabling all new ways for us to communicate, create, work, and play.

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