Microsoft announces Windows 10

WINDOWS 10. Image from Microsoft Windows blog.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Microsoft announced Wednesday, October 1 (September 30 in the US), that its latest operating system will be skipping a number and going by the name Windows 10.

The Verge reports that Windows 10 is seen as Microsoft's "most comprehensive platform ever," providing tailored experiences for different types of hardware across a single platform family.

As such, making a leap from Windows 7 to Windows 10, for example, will be more comfortable than the leap from Windows 7 to Windows 8.

START MENU. The new version of the Start Menu is familiar, yet enhanced. Image from Microsoft.

Noted Microsoft's Joe Belfiore of future transitions, "We want all these Windows 7 users to have the sentiment that yesterday they were driving a first-generation Prius, and now with Windows 10 it's like a Tesla."

TechCrunch adds that Microsoft will be launching a Windows Insider Program to give users comfortable with running beta versions of Windows a chance to test the operating system.

This initial preview is meant for laptops and desktops, with a version for servers to follow.

While not much was shown about consumer-centric features as of yet, Windows 10 is expected to provide enterpise users with the ability to manage their devices, customize the application store, and protect user data.

Windows 10 is expected to ship "later in the year" in 2015.

Watch this video introducing Windows 10 and the Windows Insider Program below:

– Rappler.com