Source: Microsoft. The possibilities of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, sketched on a Microsoft Surface by Michael Mindflyer.
Microsoft has launched the latest version of its operating system, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, offering it as a free upgrade to current Windows 10 users globally. This update, the fourth major one for Windows 10, prioritizes creativity. It aims to make mixed reality and 3D design accessible to Windows users, leading to improvements in gaming, audiovisual content, and mixed reality experiences.
Here are some key features of this update:
Improved Windows Ink capabilities
The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update allows users to directly annotate PDF files using digital pens. Furthermore, the updated Smart Ink feature simplifies the process of drawing squares and can automatically transform hand-drawn boxes into organized tables.
3D Creation Tools
Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate VP of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, believes that “3D represents the next significant leap in personal productivity. It enables a new era of computing that goes beyond the limitations of the 2D environment. This is impactful because 3D reflects the real world, enhancing how we understand, remember, and learn,” as stated in a blog post.
Users of Microsoft Paint can now transition to Paint 3D, a new application that enables the creation and sharing of 3D objects. Microsoft Office applications also support these 3D objects, allowing for the rotation and animation of objects within presentations and documents.
Source: Microsoft blog. This is what Windows Mixed Reality can do.
Integrating 3D Designs with the Real World
The Mixed Reality Viewer application lets users overlay and interact with 3D objects in real-world environments. Using their device’s camera, users can take pictures that combine these virtual 3D objects with their actual surroundings. This feature is a key part of Microsoft’s strategy to introduce users to the concept of Windows Mixed Reality.
For an immersive virtual experience, accurate tracking of the user’s head movement is crucial, which is often achieved by placing cameras around a room. Major tech companies like Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are releasing their first Windows Mixed Reality headsets. These headsets will come equipped with motion controllers for a more interactive experience. “Windows Mixed Reality headsets offer a unique advantage: they don’t require any modifications to your room, like drilling holes for cameras, and they are portable,” Mehdi highlighted.
Acer and HP will be offering headsets with motion controllers, while Lenovo’s Explorer headset focuses on ergonomic design. Dell’s Visor headset features high-resolution LCD panels (1,440 x 1,440 pixels) to provide a crisp and seamless 360° panoramic experience. Samsung is also joining the market with their Samsung HMD Odyssey, a mixed reality headset priced at US$499, available starting November 6. This headset boasts dual AMOLED displays for high resolution, a wide 110-degree field of view, integrated high-quality AKG headphones, and built-in six degrees of freedom (DOF) tracking for precise movement detection.
These headsets are compatible with devices categorized as Windows Mixed Reality PCs and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs. Windows Mixed Reality PCs typically refer to desktops and laptops using integrated graphics cards. When connected to these devices, the headsets will run at a standard 60 frames per second.
Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs consist of desktops and laptops equipped with dedicated graphics cards, generally offering more processing power than integrated graphics. Connecting the headsets to these devices enables them to operate at 90 frames per second, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Optimized Storage Management
With the new update, all files stored in OneDrive are accessible on-demand. This means users can view and interact with their files directly from their File Explorer, regardless of whether those files are synced and physically stored on their PC. This eliminates the need for files to take up storage space on the PC’s hard drive unless they are actively being used.
Further Exploration
The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is available for a variety of Windows 10 PCs and is designed to work seamlessly with the new Windows Mixed Reality headsets. These headsets are available at a starting price of US$399.
A calendar developed in collaboration with Singaporean illustrator Michael Mindflyer provides a structured approach to enhance creativity over a 21-day period while familiarizing users with the Fall Creators Update. It suggests activities such as starting a creative checklist in Microsoft OneNote on day one and exploring Windows Ink’s SketchPad on day two. A high-resolution version of the calendar is available for download in PDF format.