LONDON: Microsoft confirmed that Windows 10 will launch this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages. The company isn’t dishing an actual launch date for its hotly-anticipated new platform, but an interesting new nugget of information was let out.
The company previously voiced its intention to offer free upgrades to “millions” of customers on Windows 7 or earlier, and China a market synonymous with piracy is a key focus of that initiative. Speaking at an event in Shenzhen, China, Terry Myerson Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Operating Systems revealed that the Redmond firm will work with three of China’s most prominent software companies Lenovo, Tencent and Qihoo 360 to offer free upgrades to their collective customer base. That doubtless spans a huge number of potential users.
But, there’s more, Microsoft is also working Xiaomi, the fast-growing Android phone company in a partnership that will give selected owners of its Mi 4 the chance to “help test Windows 10 and contribute to its future release later this year.”
Xiaomi has a strong community of users the company pushes software updates weekly and actively solicits user feedback and Microsoft is tapping into that to seed a Windows 10 Technical Preview for initial feedback.
