Microsoft just released a number of huge announcements yesterday, with one of the biggest being Windows 10. As earlier reports have indicated, Windows 10 will be one platform usable across all Windows devices included desktops, notebook computers, tablets and Windows Phones. Notable features include universal apps that look uniform on all devices, which will include Microsoft Office and photo app with more apps coming soon. Cortana will be available across the board and notifications that you clear in one device will be cleared in other devices. Project Spartan will replace Internet Explorer (finally). DirectX 12 will also make an impact with even better gaming graphics and possibly the ability to game from the Xbox to a laptop or desktop PC. The most important factor will be that the upgrade is free for Windows 7 users and above and all Windows Phone users. No news yet on a possible Malaysia release date but the first Windows 10 release for phones could be coming as soon as February 2015. Check out the videos in this article for yourself.

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 10 with a release date expected in April 2015. While we have no idea where Windows 9 went (perhaps it was Windows 8.1 ~ 8 + 1) the big news is that this new Windows 10 will run on every Windows device. This means that when it comes out, it should replace Windows 8 on your PC and Windows Phone on your tablet or smartphone. No news yet on whether this would be called Windows Phone 10 or just Windows 10 throughout, but we're thinking that since Microsoft is aiming for total unification, everything will be called just Windows 10 regardless of device. Key features mentioned for Windows 10 includes:

• An integrated Start Menu ~ The Start button and menu returns, this time incorporating the Metro Live Tiles into the start menu, so you get the best of both worlds without having to constantly switch between the two. You can easily customize this menu by pinning apps as tiles and so forth.
• Universal touch apps on the desktop ~ Instead of having touch apps running on their own Metro UI, everything runs from the desktop, including these touch-based apps. They will be called Universal apps (perhaps because they can be used on a PC and tablet) while Classic apps are your normal PC apps. So far, it looks like it will open up a window on the desktop for the Universal App to run while keeping the desktop intact. Apps will be purchaseable on the Store for any device, but we assume that apps that aren't designed for a touch device like a tablet simply won't appear in the Store.
• Multiple Desktops ~ Looking much like the Recent Apps menu from Android, the new Task View lets you switch between multipled desktops with each desktop running a different app. You can then switch between these desktops and apps at will, without losing data in any of them.
• Customizable desktops with Snap Assist ~ Like to have multiple windows or apps open at one time? Well, now you can easily snap at least four apps at a time without having to precisely resize each window.
• Adaptable design ~ just like responsive design for a website, the Continuum feature in Windows 10 will automatically adapt your OS according to the device. A tablet can switch to just tablet mode or when attached with a keyboard go to PC mode. No news yet how it might look like on a smartphone, but it should look like the current touch-based UI.

As we predicted back when the Geeksphone Revolution was first announced, it was only a matter of time before someone else would come up with another dual-OS smartphone that would probably use a mix of Windows Phone and Android. This has proven to come true as Karbonn has just announced that it will be coming out with smartphone that will use the two aforementioned mobile operating systems. The Indian company says that the dual-OS Karbonn device will target office users and techies but there was no mention of other tech specs or features. The device is expected in June 2014 but there is still no specific Malaysia release date or pricing just yet. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted as to any new developments.

While Windows Phones continue to blaze trails in the smartphone market, most of them continue to be made by Nokia which was recently bought by Microsoft. To get any sort of real expansion for Windows Phones, Microsoft needs other smartphone makers to produce more Windows Phone devices and smartphones. To that end, blogger Eldar Murtazin recently tweeted that Microsoft has offered $1 billion a year to Samsung for it to make more Windows Phone devices. While this seems like a bribe, it is often used for developmental costs and seen as a Research and Development contribution. Before it was bought over by Microsoft, Nokia received $1 billion a year as well but this was marked as "platform support payments". So far, there doesn't seem to be any official word of consent or even denial from Samsung and this is still very much an unconfirmed rumour yet so take this with a good pinch of salt.

Some rather contradictory rumours have appeared as well, stating that Microsoft could soon make their Windows Phone and Windows RT operating systems free for device makers. This would hopefully cause a drop in production costs as device makers currently need to pay license fees for every device. This contradicts earlier rumours that Windows RT would be replaced by Windows Phone but this could be another option which Microsoft are considering. According to this rumour, Microsoft would only ask for licensing fees from their Pro products like Windows 8.1 and other desktop operating systems. While this could let Microsoft compete with Android, doing so would mean a heavy blow to their revenue streams as this is how Microsoft makes their money. It also raises the question of "Would you get Windows RT if it was free?". Considering the limitations of Windows RT, only for educational or other specific situations. A free Windows Phone operating system on the other hand would definitely help raise Microsoft's profile and perhaps sell more Windows Phone based devices, but it wouldn't help Microsoft make money, unless they got creative with Office and other solution pricing. As usual, take this rumour with a pinch of salt.

In a slew of Microsoft related rumours, the upcoming upgrade of the Windows Phone operating system, Windows Phone 9 may offer a number of changes, including removing the current Live Tiles user interface. Instead it would probably go for a more Android-like interface. Other changes also include the rumour that Windows Phone 9 will replace Windows RT. These rumours come courtesy of Eldar Murtazin who has been mostly correct when it comes to Nokia / Microsoft leaks. According to the blogger, we could see Windows Phone 9 in Q3 of 2014. No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing were available but in all likelihood, the upgrade to Windows Phone 9 will be free. Do note that this is still very much a rumour so take it with a pinch of salt.

While initially Microsoft was rumoured to have approached HTC about loading Windows Phone on Android, it appears that HTC wasn't the only one Microsoft talked to. According to reports, Microsoft have also approached Samsung and Huawei with Windows Phone OS for smartphones and Windows RT for tablet for free as an incentive. They have also supposedly added on compensation for the required adaptation costs. While none of the above parties have really confirmed anything, a rumoured 12.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab which can dual-boot between Windows RT and Android is supposedly on the way. Tech specs for this device include very high pixel resolutions, a super thin plastic chassis made to look like metal (probably a chrome finish) and is supposedly very fast. Most of this info comes from Russion blogger Eldar Murtazin, who has mostly been accurate when it comes to Nokia - Microsoft related rumours. However, he was wrong about Tizen so take this rumour again with a pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet though.

Previously you could only view things on your HDTV from other devices like your computer if it had WiFi and was DLNA compatible. This also meant you had to have a DLNA compatible server, NAS or device to stream from and you'd still have to use the HDTV's remote control and interface to navigate all the media you'd like shown on your big screen. Now, Google have released Chromecast, a rooted Android-based HDMI dongle that plugs into your HDTV and lets you stream media from practically any device that can connect to the Internet.

LG's Soon H Kwon, Managing Director for LG Indian market was recently quoted:

"At home (South Korea), we are actually working on our Windows Phone 8 OS powered smartphone.

He was noted as saying they still hadn't made any decision to release the first Windows Phone LG has ever made. He was also quoted as saying:

"Android is the major platform globally, given its acceptance and penetration. Although, we believe that Windows will pick up going ahead, as Microsoft is pumping efforts into it."

Nokia Lumia users rejoice (and probably Nokia Asha users too) Microsoft have released FIFA 13 exclusively for the Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 platform. The new FIFA 13 boasts much better graphics, sharper controls and about 500 licensed teams that can fight in 20 leagues. The resulting 15000 players you can choose from is massive for just a mobile phone game and there are now 32 real-world stadiums available to play in.