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REDMOND—Windows 10 on phones—and that's what Microsoft is calling it, at least for now—will be available in preview in a few weeks. In the meantime, we had a short look at it on Microsoft's Redmond campus at its Windows 10 "Next Chapter" event.

The big point Microsoft was making was that Windows 10 on phones was Windows 10, and it runs Windows 10 apps. Core applications, including e-mail (now under the Outlook brand), mapping, photo management, and messaging, as well as the Cortana digital assistant, are all now universal apps, sharing their code between phone and desktop, but tailoring their interfaces to each device.

This means much greater commonality between the platforms. Their status as apps also makes for easier maintenance: Microsoft no longer needs to roll out an operating system update to improve mail, for example. It can just update the app through the store.

Microsoft's Nokia purchase will also start to bring benefits to all Windows phone users, even those with non-Nokia/Microsoft handsets; in Windows 10, the camera app will be based on the current Lumia Camera app, with its circular dial interface for quick access to controls.

Listing image by Microsoft