Following from Wednesdays reveal of the Windows 10 Consumer features, Microsoft have released the January Technical Preview for Windows Insiders. These include some of the features announced on Wednesday such as the Xbox App for Windows 10, a new Windows Store, a re-designed Settings App, new Photos and Maps app and of course Cortana on the Desktop.
- Cortana on the desktop allows you interact with Cortana on your Windows 10 desktop just like you would normally with her on the phone. From email, reminders to weather and notes, Cortana does it all. It also supports “Hey Cortana” but do note it’s currently only US/English as they work their way into new markets.
- A new Start Menu with easy access to make it a full screen experience. You can customize the colour of your Start Screen and in the future, transparency, drag and drop, jump lists and a re-sizable menu will be added.
- The new Settings App will make it much easier to customize Windows and removes the clutter of the older Windows 8.1 Settings App. It also feels like the Control Panel and is icon based with re-organized categories.
- Connecting to wireless audio and video is now much easier by using the ‘Connect’ button in the new Action Centre.
- New Photos and Maps App have been added to this build with features demonstrated on Wednesday.
- The new Windows Store Beta gives Insiders a look into what’s next for the Universal Windows 10 Store. Microsoft say there will be the old 8.1 Store App along with the new Store Beta App due to Store Beta being incomplete and currently missing certain features.
- The new Xbox App for Windows 10 is now available but some features like Game Streaming, Game DVR and cross-platform play/chat will be added at a later date as the App will receive regular updates.
There are currently some known problems with the build such as when booting, playing Xbox Live games, using Xbox Music along with issues with the new Start Menu and Cortana. Microsoft has listed these issues here.
Sign up for the Windows Insider Program here. We will be posting our hands-on with the new build later this weekend, so stay tuned!
