Windows 10 Fall Creators Update release date set, Mixed Reality too!
The ship date for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has been set, and it'll be bringing Mixed Reality Headsets along with it. This update will also include items like enhancements in gaming, security, and accessibility, as well as a new photos experience that accesses photos, videos, and 3D effects right out the box. This is the fourth major update to Windows 10, bringing creativity-centered features aplenty.
Windows Inking
Those that do not have a pen will probably want to pick one up with this update. With Windows Inking, users will be able to use Smart Ink, Artificial Intelligence that knows when the user wants to make a square – making a square without being asked. Windows Inking also adds the ability to "ink" directly onto PDFs, and introduces a feature called Windows Find my Pen – which will allow the finding of the pen when it's lost.
Accessibility
The update to accessibility in this Creative Update includes Eye Control. This new way to control Windows allows the user to type and operate a mouse with only their eyes. This feature will be available on any piece of hardware that supports it, and was developed specifically to make Windows more accessible to those with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Gaming
This update brings Game Mode, allowing games to "use the full processing power of your device as if it was an Xbox game console." A button has been added to the Game bar which initiates Game Mode – and we'll be taking a closer look at this mode soon. Wouldn't want to identify this as anything other than an overclock if that is indeed what it is.
Photos and Videos
Deep within the Photos Application is a new experience that Microsoft wants users to use to "deliver remixed experiences for telling your stories" with all sorts of media. Media that'll work with this system includes photos, videos, music, 3D objects, and Inking.
Security and One Drive
This update brings additional smarts (behind the scenes) to Windows Defender. Microsoft suggested this week that this update strengthens "behind the scenes cloud intelligence that enables new defenses against ransomware and exploits." This update also brings access to One Drive Files On-Demand, making on-cloud files look and feel like files that are stored locally.
Date and Mixed Reality
The update date for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is October 17th. What's more, this date will include release of hardware and software for Windows Mixed Reality Headsets. Several of these headsets will be available on October 17th as well. The full first-wave collection of Windows Mixed Reality headsets includes: the Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset, the Dell Visor, HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset, and the Lenovo Explorer.
Also note: there'll be an AZSUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset as well, but it will not be amongst this first wave. The ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset will be made available in the Spring of 2018. As we saw back in May of this year, the first prototype designs (the first public designs, that is to say) weren't all that bad to look at.
For early access to many / most of these features, users are invited to check out the Windows Insider Program for Windows Preview. Have a peek and knock it out.