August 10, Monday, following the massive Windows 10 roll out over the past two weeks, Microsoft has begun releasing the operating system for the Internet of Things. The software company created a robot which plays air hockey to demonstrate how the OS works with devices that are not computer-like. Microsoft has enlisted Intel's Raspberry Pi and Minnowboard Max to power the robot.
This is a demonstration and promotion of the operating system's new version, the Windows 10 IoT Core. The Windows 10 IoT Core powers everyday electronic items that are connected and can work with the internet and a main device, like, for instance, a computer or tablet. The Internet of Things is growing increasingly popular, as objects such as cars and refrigerators starting to get connected to the network.
Microsoft notes that the IoT Core version is for devices that don't have screens. The company stated in its official release, "Windows 10 IoT Core is a new edition of Windows targeted towards small, embedded devices that may or may not have screens." The company indicated that devices with screens which will be powered by the newest edition of Windows 10 do not "have a Windows shell experience."
Owners of such devices may opt to write a Universal Windows app to match the device's "personality" with the operating system. Microsoft added that Windows 10 IoT Core is made to work well with various open source languages. It also functions hand in hand with Visual Studio.
Microsoft also stated that the developer experience has been the company's priority in building the Windows 10 IoT Core. The company said,"we hope this shows when constructing apps for this platform". It also elaborated that the new operating system is geared towards making app development easier by making tools, languages and frameworks readily available and fully supported by the OS.
The Windows 10 IoT Core has first made a public appearance in Microsoft's annual Build Conference. The Windows 10 IoT Core is available for download at the Windows IoT Dev Centre.
