The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

October 1, 2014 | 2 min read

Microsoft has revealed its Windows 10, its new "mobile-first, cloud-first world" operating system, designed to bring a flawless experience to users on all platforms.

Skipping Windows 9 in a bid to distance itself from the failed Windows 8, the new operating system will run on a wide range of devices. It will also be free for users of Windows 8.

During Tuesday’s live reveal of the system at an event in San Francisco, a new feature called 'Continuum' emerged, allowing users to seamlessly switch between mouse and touch controls.

Windows 8 was widely critisised for its revolutionary removal of the iconic ‘Start Menu’. Microsoft’s new system will see this feature make a return when it is released mid 2015.

Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft's operating systems group, said: “Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows unlocking new experiences for customers to work, play and connect.

“It will run across an incredibly broad set of devices, from the Internet of Things, to servers in enterprise datacenters worldwide... some of these devices you primarily use touch and pen, others mouse and keyboard, and others require controllers and gestures.”

Myerson added: “We’re not talking about one UI to rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored experience for each device.”

As part of this "one product family" rebrand, Microsoft last month announced that it will drop Nokia from the title of its Windows Phones.

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