Microsoft’s event is now live and to kick things off, Microsoft is announcing the next update for Windows 10. Called the Creators Update, this update is scheduled to be available sometime in early 2017. As the name implies, the Creators Update will bring with it numerous new features that are tailor-made for creators.
With the Creators Update, Microsoft will be focusing on a couple of segments in Windows 10, with the first being 3D. Microsoft is going all in on the virtual reality, augmented reality and holographic computing sector. To that end, the company is introducing a whole set of tools under its “3D for Everyone” initiative. One of the features that will be coming with this initiative includes a camera function that would allow users to take a 3D image of an object.
Yet another will be Paint 3D, a simple and intuitive 3D design app that Microsoft created to introduce Windows users to the potential of 3D design. With Paint 3D, users can create images in a 3D environment. The app itself will also allow you to share your creations to social media sites, one of which is Facebook. Microsoft will also allow you to import 3D objects from either Minecraft of SketchUp, giving you more design elements for your projects. Finally, Paint 3D will allow you to send your creations to a 3D printer.
Paint isn’t the only one getting the 3D treatment, as Microsoft has also revealed that its “most popular applications” will be able to support 3D elements as well. On stage, Microsoft showed of the potential of 3D on PowerPoint by integrating a 3D object from its 3D clipart library.
The next segment that will be given focus with the Creators Update is the gamer. We’ve reported before that Microsoft has acquired a livestreaming service called Beam two months ago, and it appears that this system will be rolled out to Windows 10 when the Creators Update goes live. Beam will be built right into the Creators Update, allowing users to view another gamer’s stream or set up their own without needing to download any third party software. Additionally, Arena on Xbox Live will be coming to Windows 10 in the Creators Update as well, allowing users to set up private gaming sessions or tournaments with ease.
Lastly, the Creators Update will allow users to pin their contacts onto the task bar itself. Once pinned, users can drop messages to their contacts by simply clicking on the contact’s icon. Users can also drag and drop files to the icons to share them instantly. To streamline communications even further, Microsoft will be mashing up Skype and its Mail app into a single app.
All these features and more will be available when the Creators Update goes live in Spring 2017. Much like the Anniversary Update, the Creators Update will be available for free to all Windows 10 users.