Windows 10 launch date announced, new devices revealed at Computex and a Microsoft intern...

Welcome to another edition of Weekend Reading. It was a big week for Microsoft news, so let’s dig in.

Microsoft announced July 29 as the launch date for Windows 10, which means in less than eight weeks, Windows customers will get a free upgrade to start doing great things across devices with help from Cortana, Windows Hello and Microsoft Edge. They’re all included in Windows 10, which brings back the familiar, beloved Start menu.

“With Windows 10, we start delivering on our vision of more personal computing, defined by trust in how we protect and respect your personal information, mobility of the experience across your devices, and natural interactions with your Windows devices, including speech, touch, ink and holograms,” Terry Myerson, Microsoft executive vice president of the Operating Systems group, wrote in Blogging Windows.

You’ll be able to log on with your face, iris or finger with Windows Hello’s secure biometric authentication. Digital assistant Cortana will help you get stuff done and new browser Microsoft Edge offers fresh ways to search, share and read. Reserve your free upgrade today.

Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s OEM Division, unveils innovative new Windows 10 devices at Computex 2015.

Other big news came from Computex, the second largest technology expo in the world. Held in Taipei, the event showcased innovative Windows 10 devices available later this year, from Acer’s new Aspire Z all-in-one PC series to HP’s 2-in-1 ultra-portable tablet. The tablet is flexible and “lappable,” thanks to a cool magnetic hinge design, and Windows 10 transitions it seamlessly between tablet and PC modes.

Inspiron’s new 15 7000 series notebook.

Also at Computex, Dell unveiled its stylish, powerful Inspiron devices, which include the versatile Inspiron 5000 laptops, Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1s and Inspiron 20 and 24 3000 desktops. E FUN introduced two affordable, powerful Nextbook Flexx tablets. And ASUS presented three striking PCs, including the super-slim, ultra-light ASUS Transformer Book T100HA.

“As we launch Windows 10 and continue to expand our partner ecosystem, there will be an incredible variety of PCs, tablets, phones and IoT devices, running Microsoft apps and services, available to help people be more productive in their digital work and life,” wrote Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Original Equipment Manufacturer Division.

Kartik Sawhney. Photo: Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures.

In non-device news, the Microsoft JobsBlog had a terrific story on intern Kartik Sawhney, who was told growing up that he would have to do things differently as a blind person.

But Sawhney proved them wrong. He pursued his passion for technology and studied computer science at Stanford University. He recently landed a summer internship at Microsoft, where he’ll be on a team that works on technology for accessibility.

He’s eager to focus on how he can “make a difference — and not just a difference for people with disabilities, but a difference in general,” he said. “That is the primary motivation for me to go into a technical field.”

If Sawhney’s story inspires you do more with your life, you’ll want to check out Wunderlist, the popular and beautiful productivity app. Microsoft acquired 6Wunderkinder, maker of Wunderlist, as part of its mission to “reinvent productivity for a mobile-first, cloud-first world,” wrote Eran Megiddo, OneNote general manager.

“Building on momentum for Microsoft Office, OneNote and Skype for Business, as well as the recent Sunrise and Acompli acquisitions, it further demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to delivering market leading mobile apps across the platforms and devices our customers use – for mail, calendaring, messaging, notes and now tasks..”

In other app news, “SBK15,” the official game of 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship, became available for Windows Phones, with gorgeous graphics and thrilling action. Lara Croft returned for a new, exciting trailer of upcoming Xbox game, “Rise of the Tomb Raider.” And the App of the Week was Yidio, a useful tool for finding and organizing your TV- and movie-watching. No more hunting around on Netflix, Hulu Plus and Comedy Central.

And finally, to kick off the road to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, we surprised best friends and filmmakers Sam and Mattie with an invitation to host our coverage of the Games. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey to the Games beginning July 25.

Thanks for reading Weekend Reading and see you next week!

Posted by Vanessa Ho

Microsoft News Center Staff

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