WASHINGTON: Microsoft began rolling out its Windows 10 operating system Wednesday, aiming to revive the tech giant’s fortunes, especially in mobile and the “Internet of Things.”

The stakes are high for Microsoft as it pushes out the new operating system for both traditional computers and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

The US tech giant is hoping the new system can help it gain traction in mobile, where it lags behind Google Android and Apple iOS.

Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett said Microsoft faces a tough task in catching up with Google and Apple in the mobile space.

“Microsoft will face a long road ahead to gain Windows share in mobile,” he said. “While it will win a growing share of enterprise tablet purchases, the plans for Windows 10 don’t show enough potential to create a differentiated mobile experience that will draw developers and customers away from iOS and Android.”

Richard Edwards, analyst at the consultancy Ovum, said Microsoft is looking beyond mobile to emerging technologies including wearables and other connected devices.

Skipping to Windows 10: Windows 10 — Microsoft skipped directly from Windows 8, which got a lackluster response — is being offered as a free upgrade for most devices, making it possible to be available quickly on billions of devices.

It will allow for voice, pen and gesture input, and in some cases biometric identification for improved security. The Cortana virtual assistant — Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri and Google Now — will also be integrated.

Windows 10 will include the Microsoft Edge browser, a move designed to regain market share lost to Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

Microsoft hopes to break the cycle in which consumers shun Windows for mobile because it lacks the large catalogue of applications found on rival platforms, thus discouraging app makers from creating Windows versions. Hit apps could ramp up popularity of Windows-driven hardware made by Microsoft and its partners, and increase opportunities for the company to make money from online activities.

With Windows 10 and other products, Microsoft is shifting away from one-time software sales to a subscription model — or software as a service — in an effort to better compete in the new tech landscape.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2015

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