The Internet of Things (IoT) emerged as a hot tech topic, undoubtedly aided by support from big name vendors. IBM invested billions establishing a dedicated IoT division, and Microsoft particularly has exhibited a dedication to growing the already exponentially expanding IoT space. Recently, Microsoft announced a lightweight Windows 10 build aimed at IoT devices such as the Raspberry Pi, Intel Galileo, and the Arduino.

These tiny PCs are becoming increasingly powerful as the Raspberry Pi 2  showed, but they aren’t capable of running resource-heavy operating systems. Enter the Windows 10 IoT Core, a lightweight iteration of Microsoft’s upcoming OS. Additionally, there’s an Insider Preview release of Win 10 Core, aimed at allowing developers to use their insight to create projects and contribute feedback to the community.

Windows IoT Core is significant as it’s the first officially licensed Arduino-certified OS. Other operating systems are compatible with the Arduino, but most of those are open source. Furthermore, offering the a version of IoT Core for makers really fosters creativity which will certainly spawn many apps, both new and ported, as well as various projects. There’s a nice array of devices compatible with Windows 10 IoT Core, allowing for wide adoption. Of note, IoT Core isn’t a full-fledged OS yet, and is still in a pre-release stage.

While the IoT Core release of Windows 10 is momentous, the desktop version of Win 10 has an Internet of Things slant. Apparently, Windows 10 will be able to run reworked iOS and Android apps, a major development. This feature doesn’t just mean you can now play “Candy Crush” or “Clash of Clans” on your computer. However, Microsoft has purportedly been collaborating with King, the developers behind “Candy Crush Saga.” Sure, it means the possibility of more apps for Windows Phones, but also simply encourages developers to adopt the Windows platform as a whole.  

Overall, the general trend is clear: convergence and expansion. The IoT field is expanding, illustrated through Microsoft’s determination to bring OSes to all devices. At the same time, ensuring cross-platform development is huge, as seen with Windows 10’s ability to run Android and iOS applications. The IoT space will only continue to evolve, and with strong backing from the likes of Microsoft and IBM, it can only become more polished.

Looking forward to trying out Windows 10 IoT Core? Want to share your hands-on experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, or give us a shout on Twitter!