Microsoft updates details on Windows 10 for IoT Core

There have been murmurs and rumors about Windows 10 for IoT. From its early announcements, many have questioned whether Microsoft could target small embedded devices that don’t have screens with Windows 10. During Build 2015, Microsoft made an impressive albeit brief argument that it could. However, since Microsoft’s developer conference in April, the news about the company’s development of Windows 10 for IoT has sputtered out in dribs and drabs.
Here we are in late September, and Microsoft is finally offering a clear picture of what’s to come for Windows 10 for IoT. The news includes support for pulse width modulation (PWM), analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and Windows IoT Core Starter Kits.
Back in early August Microsoft announced the Windows Insider release of its Windows 10 IoT Core. Also, the Windows team says they are receiving tons of feedback that is helping them build out the next update to the Windows 10 IoT Core.

Your feedback on Windows 10 IoT Core has been tremendously influential in improving the quality and completeness of this release, and we’ll be including many of the changes and requests that you have made, such as adding support for pulse-width modulation (PWM) and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) via an integrated and extensible provider API, addressing issues around the USB HID class driver, and many bug fixes. We also saw how popular the web-based device management interface is with customers, so we’re continuing the investment in it and delivering new functionality to change the device name, password and the ability to start processes.”

On top of those additions, Microsoft is also announcing a partnership with Adafruit. The partnership has enabled Microsoft to release a new Starter Kit, “designed to get you started quickly and easily on your path of learning electronics or Windows 10 IoT Core and the Raspberry Pi 2.” The new kit includes a set of compatible sensors, wires, electronic parts and cables that all work with Windows 10 IoT Core. Users will also receive a preloaded Windows 10 IoT SD card in their kits along with instructions and sample codes for beginning projects to get them up and running immediately.

Kits can be ordered from www.adafruit.com/windows10iotpi2 or picked up at Microsoft’s booth at World Maker Faire in New York on September 26^th and 27^th. Other information about Microsoft’s Windows 10 IoT progress can be found at both Windows Insider Program and WindowsOnDevices.com
Microsoft’s progress with Windows 10 for IoT is impressive and fortunately for the company the IoT revolution has yet to be fully realized. No one company has come up with a centralized hub for connected devices, and Microsoft has as much a chance of turning Windows 10 into that hub.