Continuum mode in Windows 10

Windows 10 ‘Continuum’ mode for hybrid devices showed off by Microsoft (video)

As Microsoft wrapped up its introduction of Windows 10, Joe Belfiore showed off one more feature coming to the operating system. It’s called “Continuum” and it’s actually a mode that is being designed specifically for hybrid devices.

Continuum is a new mode in Windows 10 that bridges the gap between a regular desktop and full experience view for those convertible devices. To get a general idea of how this works, Microsoft posted a new video in YouTube (with not sound that you can watch above) demoing a motion study of the new mode.

The basic idea is to create a smart UI for those 2-in-1 devices that changes its mode depending whether you have a keyboard and mouse present or absent, just to adjust the Windows 10 graphical user interface, so it feels very familiar and makes the device work great on both mode.

For example, if you have a Surface Pro 3 or Lenovo Yoga and you detach or flip around the keyboard, Windows 10 will prompted the users to go into tablet mode (option that can be configured to work automatically). Tapping Yes, the UI will switch so that modern apps are aware of the absence of a keyboard and go into their full screen mode and the new Start menu also coverts into a giant menu that fills up the entire screen, similar to the Start screen in Windows 8, but with the Windows 7 menu familiarity.

SEE ALSO: First look: Windows 10 preview tour (video)

It really looks like a compromise, but it might just work. Continuum won’t be included in the Windows 10 Technical Preview, but Microsoft plans to deliver the new mode by the time the customer preview releases sometime in early 2015.

What are your thoughts on Windows 10 Continuum?

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.