New Windows 10 leak (build 9901) highlights more polished Cortana and new apps

[Jos]

As Microsoft prepares to detail new features coming to Windows 10 at a January press event, pre-consumer builds have already given us some glimpses at the next-gen OS. The latest, build 9901, includes a more refined design for Cortana and a number of other tweaks and new apps.

Microsoft’s answer to Siri and Google Now first appeared in a video demo earlier this month, but that particular build had a pretty barebones UI. The most recent implementation looks far more polished and is likely much closer to what it will look like in Windows 10. Namely, Cortana sits at the top of the search interface for Windows 10, which itself has a new home in the task bar.

Microsoft’s assistant will respond to text and voice commands and overall it works very similar to the Windows Phone version, with the ability to summon it with the words “Hey Cortana”. Needless to say it’s not 100% functional yet.

There are several new and updated Modern UI apps such as Camera, Calculator, Alarms, Remind Me, Photos, Contact Support and a Getting Started app. Also in build 9901 is a new Xbox app that appears to work as a central hub for achievements, friends lists, activity feeds, and the Store.

Paul Thurrott has a detailed changelog of the new build over at WinSupersite, while the video above from WinBeta shows some of the new features in action.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/59161-new-windows-10-leak-highlights-more-polished-cortana.html

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

It doesn't look too bad but I'll definitely take the final release for a thorough spin around the block before contemplating splashing out, unlike Win 8 which I coughed up for shortly after it's release without much thought and regretted it somewhat. It's had all it's updates so far but I still use Win 7 90% of the time.

 

[JohnCB]

10s a decent improvement over 8, but I can't help but wish MS would stop focusing on their "App Store" so much. Yes I know, they want a slice of the pie, but it goes completely against the open-ness of the platform and what has made it so popular.

 

[amstech]

Looking good so far.
I can see my new rig now...Windows 10, 4K monitor, X99 chipset, 8 core 16 thread i7 and a GTX with 8GB VRAM and atleast 6144 cuda cores. Hehehe.
Tasty.

 

[psycros]

Meanwhile the biggest requests since Windows 8.1 debuted are still ignored (tiles as desktop gadgets, return of real control panel with real controls, etc).

 

[seefizzle]

10s a decent improvement over 8, but I can't help but wish MS would stop focusing on their "App Store" so much. Yes I know, they want a slice of the pie, but it goes completely against the open-ness of the platform and what has made it so popular.

They gotta do the app store like that for joe homeowner. The app store isn't for us. It's for our parents and neighbors. Those *****s need help installing software. As long as the police the malware a bit, the app store will be a good force in microsoft's eco-system. I'm not interested at all in the app store being the only way to load software however. That would be outright ridiculous.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

"There are several new and updated Modern UI apps such as Camera, Calculator, Alarms, Remind Me, Photos, Contact Support and a Getting Started app."

Oh Joy!!!! I can hardly contain myself. New Metro UI apps for my desktop? Thank You!!!

Now, thats out of the way. What you have got for desktop users you #*#*#*#*#* chimps?!!!

 

[Julio Franco]

I like the dark theme, but if Microsoft learned anything, hopefully by release this will be closer to a cohesive UI design. Reinventing the UI wheel on every release is not a good idea, though I'm glad they are doing away with the Metro duality mess.

 

[pmcardle]

Meanwhile the biggest requests since Windows 8.1 debuted are still ignored (tiles as desktop gadgets, return of real control panel with real controls, etc).

"return of real control panel" I'm assuming you're referring to the W7 Control Panel. It's already there in W8/8.1. But of course if you actually tried using W8/8.1 you would have already known that.

 

[Guest]

If they brought over and offered the xbox one exclusives only in the store, and left the multiplatforms, indies and other games that you normally get on steam, to steam/origin/uplay etc then that would be perfect. Think forza 5/h2 in 1440p/4K high/ultra settings at 60-120fps. Or whatever other exclusives pushed harder than its console counterpart.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I'll keep my comment short.
No Thank You!

 

[Nobina]

Well I guess it would still be better than Windows 8.1. I would like them to:
Bring the transparancy back or make taskbar the same color as windows. It always looks darker and I don't like it.
Not remove the Control Panel from Windows 7 or if they did as some say, bring it back.
Decide which icon design they are gonna use. Looking at metro and desktop icons at the same time makes my eyes bleed.

I still think that it would be the best if they added the option to choose between metro and traditional desktop look. It would save us all the hassle, them too. How hard can It be?

 

[Jad Chaar]

I like the dark theme, but if Microsoft learned anything, hopefully by release this will be closer to a cohesive UI design. Reinventing the UI wheel on every release is not a good idea, though I'm glad they are doing away with the Metro duality mess.

True that. But at the same time, I don't think they should just go back to Windows 7 and just flatten it. I like what they are doing and hopefully it turns out well.