Forget Holograms: 6 Cool Things in Windows 10

Let's face it: Most people who use Windows 10 won't be doing so via the HoloLens. Sure, it is a super cool technology that gives Redmond undeniable cred, but what about those of us who just want to use Windows on a PC, like we always have?

One of the bigger bits of news about Windows 10 has centered on Microsoft combining its mobile and desktop OSes. It's true that Windows 10 will have a single app store of software that works on all screen sizes, and that there will be a lot more consistency between phone and desktop features and interfaces. But the app developers still have to create apps targeting each size specifically, though Microsoft's Universal App development strategy will make that easier than ever.

I'm also really looking forward to a feature, similar to Apple's Continuity, that will let users move a call from phone to a computer and vice versa. At its Wednesday event, Microsoft execs alluded to this functionality, but Microsoft will have to add SMS and phone calling to keep up with Cupertino.

Cool as it is, I'm also not including anything about the very impressive Surface Hub, a huge new display for businesses that integrates all the new Windows 10 features for team collaboration.

But for rest of us, the two-dimensional folk using good old desktops, laptops, and tablets, check out the slideshow for the important takeaways from Microsoft's dazzling demo.

1. Cortana

Microsoft's voice-based digital assistant combines the personality of Siri with Google Now's awareness of your surroundings and habits. But does anyone actually use the voice search already available in Chrome on the Windows desktop? Voice searching on phones makes sense, but when you have a keyboard? Not so much. And as good as Cortana is at knowing the information that's of interest to you at the moment, it needs improvement. As with Siri, you still get to many lists of Web results, and when I try to create a OneNote using Cortana, it often just saves a note with the first word spoken. For more, check out Cortana vs. Google Now vs. Siri: Which Voice Assistant Wins?

2. A New Web Browser.

Dubbed Project Spartan, for now, Microsoft is finally putting its much-derided (though much improved in recent years) Internet Explorer behind it. Spartan builds in some nifty features we've not yet seen from Microsoft, like extensions, which have for years been a staple of third-party browsers, especially PCMag Editors' Choice-winning Firefox. Spartan will also include a reading view, and a markup capability for collaboration. What isn't known about the browser is whether it will support all of the new HTML5 features supported by Firefox and Chrome, so that you'll never see that "Your browser isn't supported" type of message again.

3. Interface Updates

Translation: the return of the Start menu! This one is a much bigger deal to other longtime Windows users than to those of us who've taken a shine to Windows 8's interface innovations, including the full Screen start menu and the Charms. I was encouraged to hear that you'll be able to choose the full-screen Start menu if you prefer.

4. ActionCenter

Though most of the innovations in Windows 8-10 are unique to Microsoft, and though its name comes from a Windows Phone 8.1 feature, this one owes a lot to Mac OS X's Notification Center. But that's not a bad thing—it's a great feature. As with Apple's OS, you get a collapsible right panel showing you new messages, Facebook notifications, and app store updates. Microsoft's feature won't include SMS texts (at least at first), though it will include Skype and Facebook messages. And it will throw in network, location, VPN, and Quiet Hours controls.

5. Continuum

This Windows 10 concept provides a smooth transition between the desktop and tablet mode for 2-in-1 devices so your apps and services don't look great on one device but odd on another.

6. DirectX12 and Xbox App

DirectX 12 is intended to improve speed, efficiency, and graphics capability by allowing low-level graphics programming similar to what's done on consoles. But DirectX versions tend to take a while to become useful: Graphics hardware makers have to produce the supporting drivers, and the applications and games have to take advantage of the standard, too. Microsoft did, however, announce that Unreal 4 Engine 4.4, as well as AMD, Nvidia, and Intel's next-gen hardware, will support DirectX 12, so that's a good start.

The other bit gamer-centric announcement last week was that Windows 10 will include an Xbox app on all platforms. That means interacting with your Xbox buddies, capturing gameplay with the GameDVR feature, and actually playing coop across devices.