Next year, Microsoft plans to debut its Windows 12 version with two scheduled updates, featuring “breakthrough” AI capabilities. The next major iteration of Windows currently codenamed Hudson Valle, is anticipated to be released in the upcoming autumn. Consequently, this release will showcase significant advancements in AI capabilities.
Microsoft’s Revamped Windows Strategy: Back to Annual Updates
According to reports from WindowsCentral, Microsoft, now under new leadership, has revamped its Windows strategy. As a result, the company is set to reintroduce an annual update schedule for Windows starting next year.
This signifies a return to a singular significant feature update annually, departing from the current model of multiple smaller updates throughout the year; forthcoming Windows features will no longer hinge on Moment updates.
Microsoft’s strategy involves launching a major version update for the Windows platform in 2024, named Germanium, serving as a precursor to “Hudson Valley.”
According to sources, alterations to the Windows roadmap will take effect after the release of Hudson Valley in 2024, implying that the current Windows 11 version will receive at least one Moment update, likely scheduled for release in February or March next year.
Initial expectations anticipate Germanium reaching RTM status in April. The Hudson Valley update is projected for completion in August and public release is set for September or October.
Hudson Valley’s AI-Powered Future
In 2021, Microsoft developed Cobalt and Sun Valley. Now, the company is actively refining Hudson Valley. Many of its features are independently developed. Anticipated as early as June 2024, OEMs will launch new Arm hardware with Germium pre-installed.
Due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip’s strong reliance on the Germium platform, it had to be released before Hudson Valley was fully prepared in the fall.
In a novel approach, Microsoft plans to release a new Windows version. This release will precede the subsequent major Windows version update. PCs with Germium pre-installed in the summer will be the first to receive this update. Later, a cumulative update will transition these PCs to the full Hudson Valley version.
In terms of functionality, Hudson Valley spotlights “next-generation AI experiences” across the system. Notably, the AI-based Windows Shell, enhanced through “advanced Copilot,” will continuously operate in the background, promising groundbreaking user experiences.
Details about a potential “Windows 12” or the final form of Hudson Valley remain undisclosed. Microsoft is developing a history/timeline feature for Copilot, facilitating rapid browsing and filtering of remembered apps and websites based on specific search criteria.
AI Unleashed: Search, Super Resolution, Real-Time Subtitles, and More
Moreover, AI will elevate Windows search capabilities, enabling natural language searches for previously opened content. Additional AI features encompass Super Resolution for video and games, an upgraded real-time subtitles feature, and AI-based wallpapers offering a parallax effect.
Microsoft aspires to integrate a dedicated “Creators” area into the Start menu and File Explorer, acting as a Microsoft 365 launchpad. The incorporation of energy-saving features is expected to enhance battery life. Additionally, the introduction of “Green Energy” is anticipated to contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions.
A new desktop interface for Hudson Valley is currently in progress. This involves experimenting with relocating elements, such as moving the taskbar to the top of the screen. However, it’s important to note that the design is not anticipated to be released until 2024. Hudson Valley will also incorporate quality improvements, details of which remain unclear.
While these insights are based on the existing Windows development roadmap. It’s important to acknowledge Microsoft’s tendency to modify or abandon projects midway, leading to potential delays or cancellations of certain features.
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