S3Corp. Tech Blog

In March 2015, a major milestone was announced at the Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) summit in Shenzhen, China. The announcement, made by Microsoft, highlighted the upcoming launch of Windows 10, set for the summer of 2015. Windows 10 will be available in 190 countries and 111 languages, marking a significant step in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to make Windows a global platform. The software giant emphasized that the number of users of Windows globally had surpassed 1.5 billion, with hundreds of millions of PCs in China already running Windows. This broad reach demonstrates the central role Windows continues to play in the world’s technology landscape, and the global expansion of Windows 10 reflects Microsoft’s dedication to delivering a unified experience to all its users, no matter where they are located.

A key element of the announcement was the demonstration of Windows Hello, a new feature that offers biometric authentication. Windows Hello allows users to unlock their devices using facial recognition, iris scanning, or fingerprint recognition. This feature adds a higher level of security and convenience, moving away from the traditional password system. At the event, Windows Hello was shown for the first time, underscoring its importance in the evolution of Windows 10. Additionally, Microsoft revealed that Windows 10 would include several customizations for the Chinese market, such as Cortana, the personal assistant, now available in Mandarin. This reflected Microsoft’s commitment to providing localized features to cater to different regions and languages, making Windows 10 more accessible and functional for users across the globe.

Upgrading Millions of Customers with Lenovo, Tencent, and Qihu 360

On January 21, 2015, Microsoft confirmed its promise to offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for users running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1. This upgrade would be available for the first year after the launch, ensuring a smooth transition for millions of users. Microsoft announced that it would partner with several major technology companies to facilitate this upgrade process and deliver Windows 10 to millions of customers worldwide.

In China, three prominent companies—Lenovo, Tencent, and Qihu 360—were key partners in this effort. Lenovo, one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers, pledged to offer Windows 10 upgrade services at 2,500 service centers and select retail locations across China. This would help customers quickly upgrade their existing devices to the latest version of Windows. Lenovo also announced plans to develop Windows phones, which would be available through China Mobile by mid-2015, further expanding the reach of Windows 10 in the region.

Tencent, the leading Chinese social networking and gaming company, also joined the Windows 10 upgrade program. Tencent’s decision to offer Windows 10 as a free upgrade to its customers running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in China was a significant step in the adoption of the new operating system. The company further enhanced the offering by including popular Tencent services, such as QQ, Tencent Video, and Tencent PC Manager, in the free upgrade package. In addition, Tencent promised to develop a Windows 10 universal app for its QQ messaging service, which boasted over 800 million active users in China. Tencent also planned to bring several of its most popular games, including “League of Legends,” “Cross Fire,” and “Dungeon & Fighter,” to the Windows 10 platform, helping to ensure the OS’s appeal to gamers in China and around the world.

Qihu 360, a leading internet security company in China, also contributed to the success of the Windows 10 upgrade initiative. With over 500 million active users, Qihu 360’s large customer base provided an ideal avenue for Microsoft to introduce Windows 10 to a wider audience. The company’s ability to provide a seamless upgrade process with accelerated download speeds helped facilitate the transition to the new operating system for millions of Chinese users.

Additionally, Microsoft partnered with Xiaomi, one of the world’s top smartphone distributors, to engage power users of its Mi 4 device in testing Windows 10. These select users would be invited to download the Windows 10 Technical Preview, allowing them to explore the new OS and provide valuable feedback before its official release later in the year. This collaboration further emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to working with global technology leaders to ensure the success of Windows 10.

Hardware Innovations Enabled by Windows 10

At the WinHEC summit, Microsoft showcased several innovative hardware technologies designed to take full advantage of Windows 10. One of the most notable innovations introduced was Windows Hello. This biometric authentication feature was highlighted as a key development that would significantly improve user security and convenience on Windows devices. Using facial recognition, iris scanning, or fingerprint identification, Windows Hello allows users to access their devices instantly and securely, eliminating the need for traditional passwords. This feature not only improves the user experience but also provides a more secure method of authentication compared to older systems.

Microsoft also worked closely with hardware manufacturers to ensure that Windows Hello-capable devices would be available at the time of Windows 10’s launch. All devices that incorporated the Intel RealSense F200 sensor would fully support Windows Hello, including automatic sign-ins to Windows. This integration of cutting-edge hardware and software demonstrated Microsoft’s commitment to working with partners to deliver innovative and secure user experiences.

In addition to Windows Hello, another exciting announcement at the WinHEC summit was the introduction of Windows 10 for the Internet of Things (IoT). For the first time, Windows 10 would be available for small-footprint IoT devices, ranging from powerful systems like ATMs and medical devices to smaller, resource-constrained devices such as gateways. Microsoft also announced that it would offer Windows 10 for free to developers working on IoT projects. Through partnerships with companies like the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Intel, and Qualcomm, Windows 10 would become a flexible platform for commercial device builders, hobbyists, and students. This initiative aimed to expand the reach of Windows 10 beyond traditional desktop and laptop computers, tapping into the growing IoT market.

A standout product introduced for Windows 10 developers was the Qualcomm DragonBoard 410C. This developer board featured integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, along with a Snapdragon 410 chipset. It was the first Windows 10 developer board designed for makers and developers working on a wide range of IoT devices. The DragonBoard 410C offered an affordable and powerful platform for creating a variety of connected devices, from consumer electronics to industrial applications.

Windows 10’s ability to support a wide array of hardware platforms, including traditional PCs, IoT devices, and specialized developer boards, set it apart as a versatile operating system. Microsoft’s commitment to supporting hardware innovation across different device categories demonstrated its focus on creating a flexible and robust platform for both developers and end users.

Looking Ahead

As Microsoft prepared for the release of Windows 10, it was clear that the company was focused on delivering a unified, secure, and user-friendly experience across a broad range of devices. The partnerships with Lenovo, Tencent, Qihu 360, and Xiaomi highlighted Microsoft’s strategy of collaborating with leading technology companies to drive the adoption of Windows 10. These partnerships not only helped ensure that millions of users worldwide would be able to upgrade to Windows 10 but also demonstrated the broad appeal of the new operating system.

The innovations introduced at the WinHEC summit, including Windows Hello and Windows 10 for IoT devices, showcased Microsoft’s commitment to supporting hardware manufacturers and enabling new possibilities for developers. With the global launch of Windows 10 just months away, it was clear that the new operating system would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of personal computing.

For businesses and technology professionals, including those in Vietnam and other outsourcing hubs, Windows 10 offered a platform for innovation and growth. As companies worldwide adopted Windows 10, the operating system would enable new opportunities in the web application development space, creating a more connected and efficient world for users and businesses alike.