Microsoft has announced that its newest OS will be Windows 10, not 9, and that it will attempt to please both the critics of Windows 8 and those looking for an innovative platform. But are there any hints at how this will affect mainframe access, if at all? Multiple reports suggest that 10 will be designed to relate to multiple devices in the Microsoft catalog.
Journalists have had time to check out this latest iteration thanks to the Technical Preview that appeared last month. Writing about this newest OS, InformationWeek's Michael Endler said that users familiar with the Windows Phone will notice some of the same functionality when working in 10, including Data Sense and predictive text.
However, that's not to say that mobile users will know everything to expect. Endler also writes that security is a high priority for this newer version, with more intensive security features built-in, including a fingerprint scan to support two-factor authentication.
Michael Berman, editor of the Tech blog section of the Huffington Post, also says that Windows 10 will have special features for both mobile and desktop users, as well as customization options.
"Now we have the best of both worlds — a list of programs and apps running down the left side of the menu and a few small tiles on the right. Those users that can't live without the Metro interface just need to change this option, telling the system to boot to their favorite interface."
Just as Microsoft wants to keep all of the connected devices together, companies that want to have the same performance in all cases will need to implement a mainframe terminal emulator. This will make any screen-based application work equally well in all software environments.