Earlier this week, Microsoft announced a new OS in the field of education. This is clearly an attempt to compete with Google’s suit of education-related hardware and software technologies that have become quite the rage over the last few years.
Windows 10 S is a handy and more secure OS for students and teachers. This launch is very different from the tech giant’s previous offerings since its sole target is the ‘EduTech’ sector in the US.
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Windows 10 S is going to compete with Google’s Chrome OS, which is a simple web-server based OS. Quite obviously, Windows 10 S will not let users access Google services. Windows 10 S OS is connected to Windows Store, which means students can only run applications downloaded from the Store.
What exactly is Windows 10 S?
Windows 10 S is an advanced educational OS. It has been made safer by confining the application downloads exclusively from Windows Store. It makes every application verified for performance and safety parameters. Students won’t be exposed to any potential threat as the apps would be certified by Microsoft to ensure the safety and performance.
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Windows 10 S will be completely Free for all the legal Windows 10 Pro machines in schools. You’ll be able to operate all the web browsers available on Windows Store. However, Microsoft would recommend Edge over others.
Microsoft publicly announced to make Office 365 suite of apps with Teams (Messenger) available on Windows Store. Windows 10 S brings all the features introduced by Creators Update in Edge and Cortana as well. Students and teachers can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for a $49 fee. This is something unavailable on Windows Store and once upgraded they won’t be able to get Windows 10 S back.
Samsung is an ally!
In a clever move, Samsung has become the newest ally of Microsoft. Other companies to have partnered with Microsoft – to offer Windows 10 S laptops ranging as low as $189 are Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP and Toshiba. These new laptops are scheduled to hit the market this summer, somewhere nearer to new academic year.
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Terry Myerson, VP at Microsoft, clears that these partners would provide premium devices with more leisure in future. All the Windows 10 S Educations machines will come with Minecraft: Education Edition (with one year subscription for free). A batch of education-centric updates will be made available for Office 365 this fall.
Taking everything into account, it can safely be said that Microsoft has landed a fine competitor for Google’s Chromebook with Windows 10 S. Bill Gates lost out to Larry Page in the ‘Search Engine Battle’. Let’s see if Microsoft can take the cake this time around!