According to Microsoft, the company is updating its flagship operating system Windows with the aim of further increasing user productivity.
Following the latest release named the ‘Windows April 2018 Update’, three main features have been introduced – a timeline view, a filter for distractions, and enhanced voice control.
According to the company’s corporate vice president of Windows and Devices Group, Yusuf Mehdi, the spirit of the new release revolves around helping users to “get back time”. The new Windows release also allows users to run the company’s software on any device, including the Surface or Apple Mac – this is made possible by tapping into the cloud technology. According to Mehdi, aligning Windows with the cloud allows the company to “scale even more broadly”.
The new Timeline feature in the update creates a view of everything a user is working on across various devices, all linked via the cloud. For example, a user is now able to work on a Word document on an iPhone or Android tablet while commuting to work, and have the same work seamlessly appear on a work PC later in the office.
A new feature called ‘Focus Assist’ is also aptly designed to help users evaluate the total time spent looking at device screens and providing the technology to help people reduce screen time. This is based on research that shows by shifting attention to see a notification, users can take up to 23 minutes after that to regain their focus. Notifications are turned off for fixed periods of time in order to avoid the user getting distracted. Users have the flexibility to turn off this feature any time or choose fixed time periods in their day when they need to boost productivity by having undivided focus. Furthermore, depending on the user’s preference, the feature also allows notifications from selected senders to get through.
The April update is the first Windows release since the technology giant broke up the Windows and Devices Group in late March. The break up move was deemed significant because Windows has been the company’s flagship product for a long time, and the team has also been one of the core departments in Microsoft for many decades.
The move even resulted in speculation that the “death of Windows” is just around the corner, but according to Microsoft’s latest earnings report, Windows is still an important part of the business model, bringing in half a billion users while driving the personal computing unit. It may be true that Windows is transitioning into “more of a supporting player” following the strong cloud growth, but an imminent demise of Windows is unlikely.
Although Windows is a flagship product that has been around for a long time, Microsoft is constantly innovating and improving to enhance the user experience of its products and services.
For professional assistance for choosing Microsoft products to be used in your business, contact WM Reply today to speak with our customer service team. Our experts would be happy to share valuable tips and advice to enhance your Microsoft user experience.