Microsoft introduces various Windows 10 Editions, Windows Phone is now Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft has revealed the various editions of the Windows 10 OS that will be available for different platforms and the names by which they will be known. 

Windows 10 will be offered in the following versions - Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education and Windows 10 Mobile enterprise. These different editions addresses specific needs of consumers, businesses and enterprise.

Windows 10 Home is consumer-focused desktop edition and will be available for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s. It features Cortana, Microsoft Edge web browser, Continnum tablet mode, Windows Hello face recognition, iris and fingerprint login. It also comes pre-loaded with universal windows app like photos, maps, mail, calendar music and video. Microsoft will also be adding the ability for users to play their XBox One games from any PC in their home. 

"Cortana will be available on Windows 10 at launch in select markets. Windows Hello requires a specialized, illuminated infrared camera for facial recognition or iris detection or a finger print reader which supports the Windows Biometric Framework. Apps and services may vary by market."

Windows 10 Pro is also a desktop edition for PCs, tablet and 2-in-1s. It will be building upon features provided by Windows 10 Home. It comes with additional features to meet the needs of small businesses that include effectively and efficiently manage devices and apps, protect sensitive business data, support remote and mobile productivity.According to Microsoft, Windows 10 Pro is ideal for organisations supporting Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs.

Windows 10 Enterprise builds on Windows 10 Pro with additional advanced features targeted towards medium and large sized businesses. It provides advanced capabilities to tackle modern security threats targeted at devices, identities, applications and sensitive information. It will be available for Volume licensing customers.

Windows 10 Education is designed to cater needs of educational institutions. This edition will also be available to Volume Licensing customers and will have an option for students and schools using Windows 10 Pro/Home to upgrade to Windows 10 Education for free.

Windows 10 Mobile is designed for touch-centric devices like smartphones and small tablets. It features the same universal app included in Windows 10 Home and comes with touch-optimized version of Office. It will also offer new devices to take advantage of Continnum for phone that allows users to use their phone like a PC when connected to large screen.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is targeted at business customers and offers great productivity, security and mobile device management. It will be available to Volume Licensing Customers.

There is also a version of Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise for industry devices like ATMs, retail point of sale, handheld terminals and industrial robotics. In addition there is Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things) for small footprint, low cost devices.

Microsoft on its blog  notes that "we are offering the full versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Pro as a free and easy upgrade for qualifying Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year after launch. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device." 

Microsoft will launch the Windows 10 made for PCs this summer followed by Windows 10 Mobile and other versions later.

Source : Microsoft Blog