Windows 11 has been unveiled and coming later this year... complete with Android apps

After many rumors and a leak, Microsoft has fully unveiled Windows 11, the next version of their operating system. Some big changes are in store for this version of Windows, including the store itself, but beyond that, a new start bar is just the beginning, check out the video to get a glimpse.

As we are a gaming site, let’s focus on the improvements to gaming that Windows 11 will offer folks, from elements like DirectStorage and beyond. First up, Windows 11 will come with DirectX 12 Ultimate, the latest version of DirectX, which will provide higher frame rates and better looking games.

DirectStorage, which is spelt without a space, With DirectStorage, which will only be available with Windows 11, games can quickly load assets to the graphics card without bogging down the CPU. This means you’ll get to experience incredibly detailed game worlds rendered at lightning speeds, without long load times. “DirectStorage Optimized” Windows 11 PCs are configured with the hardware and drivers needed to enable this amazing experience.

Finally, the big new addition is that of Auto HDR, which will provide a more vivid range of colours, to make your games look even better. If a game was built with DirectX 11 or newer, it will be able to take advantage of this system, so games that were built for SDR, or Standard Dynamic Range, will now look better and there is nothing you need to do, Windows 11 will take care of it, you just need a screen that supports HDR.

Looking beyond games and back to the store, things are more connected than ever, as the new Microsoft Store will allow you to watch, create, play and more. The store is entirely new and has been built to allow for speed and features a look, that is very similar to that of the Microsoft Store on Xbox. The new store is also promising that when you download an app from the Store, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing it’s been tested for security and family safety.

Perhaps the biggest addition that the store will offer is that of Android Apps, which will be obtainable via the Amazon App store. This means, that for now, Google made apps and Samsung made apps, will not be available, as they are not on the Amazon App store, but things like TikTok, or any one of the thousands of games will be available.

This is made possible by Microsoft using what is known as the Intel Bridge Technology, something newer Intel CPU’s will offer.

“Intel and Microsoft’s long-standing approach to OS, system architecture and hardware integration enables the best PC experience for customers. The combination of Windows 11 and Intel® technologies and platforms offers unmatched performance, compatibility and experiences on Windows, and we’re bringing people’s favorite experiences from the phone to the PC with Intel® Bridge Technology.” - Gregory Bryant, Intel executive vice president and general manager, Client Computing Group.

Check out the video below, to see them in action

Finally, lets talk design, Windows 11 is going to be familiar and yet vastly different to what you have known Windows to be, even with Windows 8. The biggest change you will notice is that the Start Button, is now located in the center of the screen, don’t worry though, you can opt to move it back to the left if you want.

When you pin apps to your start bar, they will go to the right as always, but they will still remain central to the screen, when you bring up the start menu, things will also look a little different. First up is that the apps and games you use the most can be pinned at the top, but all the apps can be accessed by going to the right, this means that if you use the same few apps daily, you can keep them at hand, just like the current Windows 10 menu.

Below the pinned apps, will be your recommended files and apps, so recent works, recently install programs and such, helping you keep on track with things. At the top of the new start menu is a more powerful search function, that will work more like a web search, finding files and programs, but also looking things up online if needed.

Windows 11 has fully redesigned its screens, with everything having a rounded corner and items in a windowed view, having a somewhat opaque look to them.

For those that suffer from visual impairments, accessibility has been improved and while they haven’t detailed everything yet, they have shown off the colour options.

So that is Windows 11, it could be amazing, it could be a blunder, Windows tends to stumble with every alternate release and Windows 10 was a big hit for them, only time will tell.