2023 comes to an end and we have to take stock of the current state of Windows while predicting what we think will lie ahead for us. 2024.
2023: a year of transition with AI as the protagonist
2023 has not been a particularly exciting year for Windows but there have been points of interest. Windows 11 has continued to improve and today it is a more stable and complete operating system than when it was released in 2021. The updates called “Moments” have brought us interesting news throughout the year like the following:
- A new taskbar optimized for 2-in-1 devices.
- A modernization of the system tray.
- Many improvements in the accessibility section
- Widget panel improvements
- Copilot, an AI-based assistant for GPT-4.
- The new design of File Explorer
- Improvements in inbox apps such as Notepad, the Microsoft Store, Paint or Clippings
- Much, much, much more.
2024 will be the year of Windows 12, AI and Arm
However, all this pales in comparison to what we expect from 2024. Despite the departure of Panos Panay, now former director of the Windows division, Microsoft's commitment to its operating system is beyond doubt.
Next year, those from Redmond plan to launch what could be called Windows 12 and whose code name is Hudson Valleya major update whose main focus will be a deep integration of artificial intelligence into the operating system.
Artificial intelligence. That has been the code name of 2023. Everyone's eyes have focused on this “new” technology that is already causing a lot of talk. We are talking about a new market where Microsoft is clearly ahead thanks to its partnership with OpenAI and which crystallizes in excellent products such as Copilot.
Speaking of Open AI, do you remember the one that got into trouble not so long ago with the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of Sam Altman? Satya Nadella was about to hire half of OpenAI's staff as a solution to the crisis! Luckily for Microsoft and its interests, everything was finally a scare and both Altman's leadership and Microsoft's power within OpenAI were reinforced.
Another parallel issue to that of Windows 12 is that of CorePC, a supposed new version of Windows built almost from scratch and focused on performance, security and modularity (worthy heir to failed experiments such as Windows CoreOS and Windows 10X). According to sources, Microsoft could launch this year the first iteration of this operating system that aspires to replace Windows in the not too distant future and that would debut as a competitor to ChromeOS on input devices.
Another non-negligible issue for Windows users in 2024 will be arm. After years of living in the shadow of Apple and its excellent Arm chips, it seems that Windows will finally have a weapon to stand up to: the new Qualcomm processors. These chips are ideal for laptops and convertibles due to their excellent power efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Windows 12, CorePC, AI and Arm. They are the proper names of Windows in 2024. The future of the platform is entrusted to them. Do you think they will succeed? In 12 months we will be here to talk about it like all those years ago. Happy New Year to everyone from the Microsofters team!