Windows Central, a renowned tech news website, has recently reported on the upcoming changes in Windows for the year 2024. It remains unclear whether Microsoft will name it Windows 12 or opt for a different name, as the marketing team is yet to make a final decision.
The significant changes in Windows for 2024 stem from the departure of Panos Panay, the executive responsible for the Windows team. Panay’s vision was to release a major operating system update every three years while consistently rolling out minor updates, known as “Moment updates,” two to three times a year, as we have seen with Windows 11 in recent times.
However, with Panay stepping down, the policy is shifting towards annual major updates, similar to the era of Windows 10. The frequency of Moment updates may decrease but will likely be deemed less significant.
Microsoft’s roadmap includes the development of a new operating system core called Germanium and a feature set separate from the core, known as Hudson Valley. This approach has been in the works for some time now, previously referred to as Cobalt and Sun Valley in 2021, which ultimately transformed into Windows 11.
According to reports, Germanium and Hudson Valley updates will roll out separately, as they won’t be ready simultaneously. Germanium is expected to be completed by April 2024, while Hudson Valley will finish development by August 2024, with updates slated for September to October.
It is speculated that Microsoft may release the Germanium update for select new PCs first, particularly those equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, which cannot function with the current Windows 11 core. Subsequently, Microsoft will release the Hudson Valley update for PCs running Germanium, alongside a large-scale update for existing PCs.
Hudson Valley’s distinctive feature will focus on AI and is referred to as the “advanced Copilot.” This AI-powered user shell will enhance the operating system by facilitating various tasks. Notable features include Copilot-assisted history/timeline, where users can search for previously opened documents by providing descriptive commands like “find me the document that Bob sent me on WhatsApp a few days ago.”
Additionally, the Super Resolution feature will utilize the power of the NPU chip in new PCs to enhance video and gaming scaling. Live Captions will generate real-time captions and translations from audio or playing videos. AI will also contribute to adjusting parallax effects of background images based on slight movements or tilting of laptops equipped with gyroscopes.
Other new features mentioned include a dedicated Creator space within the Start Menu and File Explorer, allowing users to create content seamlessly using Microsoft 365, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Designer. Power-saving improvements are also expected, potentially resulting in up to 50% increased battery life for certain hardware models.
Windows Central highlights that Microsoft’s branding strategy for the new operating system remains unclear. With a user base of 1.4 billion Windows devices, comprising approximately one billion Windows 10 machines and 400 million Windows 11 devices, Microsoft needs to address compatibility concerns when upgrading older PCs to Windows 11. Introducing Windows 12 could further divide the user base, hence the cautious decision-making process. Ultimately, the final determination lies with the marketing team, who have yet to make their move.
TLDR: Windows Central reports on the uncertain naming of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows operating system for 2024. Windows 12 has not been confirmed, as the marketing team has yet to decide. Changes in the Windows strategy involve annual major updates and a separate feature set named Hudson Valley. Germanium and Hudson Valley will undergo separate development, with Germanium expected to be completed in April 2024 and Hudson Valley in August 2024. Noteworthy features include the “advanced Copilot” AI-powered shell, history/timeline with Copilot assistance, Super Resolution for video and gaming scaling, Live Captions with real-time translation, and AI-enhanced parallax effects. Other improvements include a Creator space in the Start Menu and File Explorer and increased power efficiency. The decision to release Windows 12 may be deterred by compatibility concerns. The marketing team holds the power to make the final decision.
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