1: Windows
Since Panos Panay also took over the leadership of Windows on the client side a few months ago, Microsoft wants to concentrate more on its former core product again in the future. The focus will probably initially be on the lighter and modern Windows 10X, which, however, remains uninteresting for the actual mass market (for now) and will primarily target the education sector. The final release is scheduled for sometime in spring 2021, but support for Win32 applications is not yet on board.
According to current reports, the classic Windows 10 will initially only receive another smaller release in the style of versions 1909 and 20H2, before a major function update awaits in autumn 2021. The new Android runtime called Project Latte and the design refresh codenamed Sun Valley are thought to be two major improvements so far. In any case, Microsoft will be able to deliver new, smaller functions even faster in the future via the Windows Feature Experience Packs.
2: WinGet
The new package manager WinGet was presented for the first time at the BUILD Conference this year and is intended to simplify the secure installation of applications for Windows even more. With the announcement in May, however, Microsoft did not only make friends and so there was some friction with the AppGet project, which Microsoft accused of theft and wanted to stop its own further development. It took some time until the differences were resolved.
If everything continues to go according to plan, WinGet should be available to all users via an update of the AppInstaller in Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store by early summer 2021 at the latest. In addition to the classic binaries and the Microsoft Store itself, this will open up a third option. It remains to be seen whether WinGet will also have a greater influence on the Microsoft Store itself and whether it will be more strongly integrated into Windows 10 alongside a possible porting of Project Mercury, the new Microsoft Store for the Xbox.
3: Microsoft Edge
In mid-January, the legacy version of Microsoft Edge based on EdgeHTML was replaced by its Chromium-based successor, and since version 20H2 it has also been a fixed component of Windows 10. At the same time, a version for macOS was also released and several new functions such as the collections, the screenshot function and improvements to the PDF reader were integrated. Since October, the Dev Channel has also been present with the first Linux versions and this will eventually lead to a stable version under Linux next year.
Meanwhile, numerous new functions are already known that we can look forward to early next year. Some of them like the vertical tabs or the slightly revised design for the icons will already come with Edge 88.x in mid-January, others like the new tab groups, Picture-in-Picture and the Global Media Controls are expected later in the year.
4: Xbox Cloud Streaming
Besides the new console generation, the general launch of Project xCloud as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was the big announcement of the past year for Microsoft. Since then, at least Android users have been able to use the corresponding offer, and owners of Samsung devices get some additional advantages if they download the app from the Galaxy Store.
In the coming year, iOS and Windows 10 will also be able to enjoy Xbox Cloud Streaming. On iOS, this will be done via the browser, while the new Xbox app will be used on Windows 10. Phil Spencer also did not rule out other platforms. At least the expectation was explicitly expressed that by the end of next year a corresponding Xbox app should be found on almost every smart TV.
5: Bethesda
The acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which is expected to be completed by summer 2021, was one of the big surprises in the gaming industry and has brought a lot of attention to both Microsoft and Bethesda. Bethesda says it will continue to operate as an independent company under the Microsoft umbrella, but nevertheless the Redmond company is strengthening its portfolio with a large number of important franchises such as DOOM, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Rage, Prey, Dishonored, Starfield or The Evil Within.
Nevertheless, there are still some unanswered questions that need to be clarified in the coming months. We don't know how exclusively Microsoft will treat future developments by Bethesda for its own platforms Xbox and Windows 10 and how the further development of the Bethesda.net launcher will proceed, which could theoretically also be replaced by the new Xbox app. Only time will tell how things will progress on such points. The significance of Orion technology, which could be highly relevant to Microsoft in Project xCloud and the Microsoft Game Stack, also remains to be seen.
6: Games, Games, Games
Still in the last months of the old year, some important changes have already been announced that will be coming to Microsoft's other franchises in the coming year. For fans of Gears POP! this means goodbye, as the game for Windows 10, iOS and Android will be discontinued in the first quarter. Sea of Thieves, on the other hand, is set for change, as Rare wants to focus on seasonal updates, which will be released every three months, and the Adventure Mode in the future. A new Battle Pass will be added on top of that.
Meanwhile, new content is in the pipeline for Minecraft, where the new Caves & Cliffs update will be rolled out to all users in summer 2021. Probably the biggest title, however, will be released by 343 Industries towards the end of the year, when Halo Infinite is due to be released a good year late and will include free multiplayer straight away. We can also expect news on other franchises such as Avowed, developed by Obsidian.
7: Project Reunion
Microsoft's statement a few months ago could not have been clearer: We don't know Win32 apps or Universal apps anymore, only Windows apps. Project Reunion is the name of the project that has been running since then, which is supposed to bring together the old UI frameworks WinForms and WPF with the newer WinUI. The new version 3.0 of WinUI has not yet made it to the final release of .NET 5, but this is to be made up for early in 2021.
WinUI 3.0 will then also complete the rollout of WebView 2. The new component for displaying web content, which is based on the new Microsoft Edge Chromium, has so far been available for .NET applications and for C/C++; with WinUI, the last platform will follow at the beginning of 2021.
8: .NET MAUI
Similar to WinGet, .NET MAUI caused quite a stir and discord with the OpenSource community after its presentation at this year's BUILD Conference. The team behind the Linux distribution Nitrux OS, which operates under the umbrella of KDE e.V., complained about the similarities in the name in a corresponding blog post, as it is also developing its own framework under the name MAUI, which, however, is based on the Qt toolkit.
Whether these disputes have been settled in the meantime, I cannot say with absolute certainty. In any case, the successor to Xamarin will be available to all developers for the first time with the release of .NET 6. According to Microsoft's new cycle, this will be in November 2021.
9: surface
Microsoft refreshes its own premium hardware every year, but there are already some reports for 2021 that give a first glimpse of the upcoming devices. A new Surface Pro 8 is on the cards for the first half of the year, as is the Surface Laptop 4, if the rumours are to be believed. However, it is certain that with the release of Windows 10X, the first classic form factors for companies and educational institutions will also become available. Whether this will include a Surface remains to be seen.
Of the existing devices, there is a lot in store for the Surface Duo in particular, as it is expected to be released in significantly more markets. However, it is doubtful whether this will boost the sales figures of the already relatively old hardware. A new Surface Duo 2 is said to be in development. In view of the annual release cycles with which other Android OEMs bring their flagships onto the market, Microsoft would be well advised to follow suit soon.
10: the consequences of Corona
Regardless of the events with which the new Corona virus is still preoccupying the world, the consequences for Microsoft have already had an immediate impact. The number of regular livestreams in the form of community standups and community calls has been greatly expanded, but alongside this, Microsoft has also been talking very intensively about how its own capabilities have been expanded to the level of TV productions. Soon we will be able to see this again when Microsoft appears as a technology partner for the virtual CES 2021.
For employees in the USA, the Redmond company is also changing the ways in which they can operate within the group and at least partially perpetuating the measures from the pandemic. Thus, temporary or permanent work in the home office will be possible, provided that the employees want to do so. As a rule, all that is needed is an agreement with their superiors.