Windows 10 January Technical Preview to include Cortana and Continuum

Terry Myerson and Joe Belfiore taking Windows 10 questions

We’re expecting Microsoft to officially unveil the consumer oriented features of Windows 10 during a special press event in January and we’re even waiting a new build release short after the event.

But now we have a little more information about the Microsoft plan. According to a new report from Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet, claims that the company will be rolling out a new consumer preview build of Windows 10 labeled as “January Technical Preview” (JTP). Follow the January build, Microsoft will roll out the February Technical Preview (FTP) and March Technical Preview (MTP), and you can now see the pattern.

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 Consumer Preview: features to expect in 2015

What’s is most interesting is that it seems that Windows 10 January Technical Preview will include the new Continuum mode, which allows users on 2-in-1 devices to transition from mouse and keyboard to a touch-optimized experience without having to sign-out to switch between modes. Microsoft previously demoed Continuum, but it was only a video concept, now Windows Insiders will have the chance to test the new feature fully.

Also Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant, already expected to ship in Windows 10, will be arriving for testing in the January preview. There has been rumors and even a screenshot claiming Cortana beginning to appear in private builds of the operating system, but its authenticity still questionable.

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 build 9888: all the new stuff from the leaked version (video)

According to the same report, the company is also expected to unveil for the first time a version of the Windows 10 mobile, a single version of the operating system tailor to smartphones and small tablets based on ARM and Intel processors. Since this SKU of Windows 10 aims to small mobile screens, it’s likely that there won’t be a desktop present, which if it is true, it’s possible that desktop applications won’t be allowed to run in this version.

More information will likely be revealed around January 20th to 21st, the time when Microsoft will be showing off the progress in Windows 10 to press and analysts during the special event in Redmond, Washington. Though, it’s unclear when a preview build will be available for testers, for now the mobile version of Windows 10 is limited to the Operating Systems Group. However once the company makes available the bits for Windows Phone, the operating system will be updated monthly, similar to the client version, according to Mary Jo.

I’ve been proactively covering every feature coming to Windows 10, so if you need a refresher, check out my coverage here.

Source ZDNet

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.