Windows 10 will soon no longer only power PCs but also automated cars, street lights and refrigerators. Microsoft stated this during the Hannover Messe, the largest industrial technology trade fair in the world. Windows 10 is "The Platform for the Intelligence Revolution", according to the company.
In his keynote Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella argued that the Internet of Things and smart-platforms are becoming increasingly important for industrial solutions and the development of smart buildings. The addition of technology provides organisations and companies with a continuous stream of data about their customers, processes and systems. Microsoft wants to make the data actionable so the data can help in improving the way customers use products, how systems are operating, etc etc.
With Windows 10 there is an Universal Platform that works across multiple device form factors, ranging from Internet of Things (IoT) devices till e.g. Microsoft's own large Surface Hub screens from which data can be gathered and on which results can be displayed.
Earlier this year it was also announced that several car manufacturers picked Microsoft as their partner for their smart car technology. Microsoft argues that in the future a car is a 'driving smartphone' which can be realized with the company's Universal Windows 10 Platform. The German company IAV is working on a solution that allows drivers to be productive on the road when the car is doing the driving for them. They are using Windows 10 Continuum to stream Windows 10 to the dashboard of the car.
And because of the Universal Platform, Windows 10 can also be used for smart street lights, smart refrigerators, fleet management and much more.
"We believe Windows 10 is a critical platform for this intelligence, built with the security and privacy our customers depend on to maintain a competitive edge", according to Microsoft's Craig Dewar.
And security is clearly important for the company, as it states, "customers also require absolute confidence in the management, servicing and update models provided by Windows; and demand the enterprise security built into Windows 10 – the most secure operating system we’ve ever built."
