Hudson Valley is Here: Next Windows Unveiled, AI Takes Center Stage
Although Microsoft has yet to confirm the name of the next Windows operating system, Intel executives have recently disclosed that it will be called Windows 12. The upcoming version, codenamed Hudson Valley, is said to place a significant emphasis on artificial intelligence computing performance and is expected to be officially released in the fall of next year.
According to a report by Windows Central, Microsoft has internally readjusted its Windows update roadmap. Starting next year, the company plans to revert to an annual major update rhythm for its operating system, replacing the current practice of multiple smaller updates throughout the year.
Before the major update codenamed Hudson Valley, Microsoft will roll out an interim update codenamed Germanium as a preparatory step. The new update rhythm is set to be implemented following the release of the Hudson Valley update.
The Hudson Valley operating system is expected to be completed as early as August 2024, with the actual update likely being released in September or October. Meanwhile, the Germanium update is anticipated to reach its RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version by April of next year, with OEMs possibly pre-installing it on PCs as early as June.
In line with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm integrating artificial intelligence computing components into their new processors, the AI features in the Hudson Valley operating system will require corresponding processor designs to function. This integration is expected to make artificial intelligence a key selling point for PCs next year, including numerous applications combined with Microsoft’s Copilot feature.
Insiders note that processors with integrated AI computing components will enable more advanced Copilot functionalities. These will operate continuously in the background, allowing users to seamlessly access AI applications and services. Additionally, these features will continually learn from user habits to provide a more tailored AI computing experience.
Similar to how Google enhances the user experience of Pixel phones with AI, Microsoft is expected to transform the traditional Windows operating system usage patterns through AI. This could include helping users find documents and photos more quickly, assisting in presentation creation, enhancing the gaming experience, and enabling users to work more efficiently.
