It was first announced back in October last year. Source: Neowin
It was first announced back in October last year. Source: Neowin

Microsoft is giving developers a sneak preview of its all-new Windows 10X emulator. The new operating system is actually a Windows 10 variant that’s specifically designed for dual-screen devices. 

The first batch of dual-screen devices is expected to hit the market later this year and as such, Microsoft wants to give developers a chance to get a feel of the emulator and give them enough background to start developing and optimizing apps for dual-screen devices. 

Windows 10X is not the final product. Microsoft is still tweaking the OS and there could be additional changes before it officially launches. Some tech analysts who have had the chance to look at the emulator think that Microsoft has done a pretty good job. 

The OS has been well-received. Source: The Verge
The OS has been well-received. Source: The Verge

One analyst even called the new OS a refined and cleaned up version that has been created specifically for future devices. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Windows 10X is exclusively designed for foldable devices. We don’t know if it will have additional applications in the future. 

We are also not sure how dual-screen devices will be received in the market. But even then, it is a clear sign that Microsoft has the flexibility to adapt to changes in hardware and provide applicable software solutions. There are also some subtle differences between Windows 10X and Windows 10. 

For instance, the start menu on 10X doesn’t have animated live tiles like the ones available on Windows 10 and Windows 8. The new OS also has a more simplified look and feels less cluttered. The start menu already has several apps but users can pin additional ones there if they want. 

Microsoft has also replaced the traditional file explorer with a modern option that will easily guide Windows 10X users to their files. The new file explorer is designed to support external devices for file transfer.

The OS was designed for dual-screen devices. Source: The Verge
The OS was designed for dual-screen devices. Source: The Verge

We also liked the search feature at the bottom that helps you find apps and documents easily. Despite these subtle differences, Windows 10X has also retained certain similarities with Windows 10. For example, the emulator has dark and light modes to choose from. 

However, we must still insist that the emulator is at a very basic stage right now. It’s very difficult to tell how apps will look and even how they will operate. We presume that over the next few months all these questions will be answered as developers test out the emulator. From what we have seen so far, Microsoft has done a great job at developing the operating system. 

Now it’s up to developers to see how they can leverage that technology to create a truly wonderful experience for users. The applications for a dual screen are endless. This new advancement in design hardware could open up new opportunities for how people use and interact with their devices. 

But we are all counting on developers to get it right. And it’s not just about new apps - developers will still need to find ways to transition older apps into the new dual-screen ecosystem.