The history of Windows has, in a sense, always been about getting things done, whether it's writing a term paper, doing an Excel document, doing supercomputing, or just good ol' Minesweeper. But the world that Windows grew up in has radically changed since the mid-1990s with the growth of the internet. Back in February, our Senior Writer Zac Bowden reported that the Surface Hub 2 – along with unannounced products like HoloLens 2 and "Project Andromeda" – are part of a concerted effort built around collaboration in the modern workspace, along with productivity and 3D Mixed Reality. The Surface Hub 2 official reveal thisw week affirms that the primary concept behind the device is getting people to work together for idea-expression, whether they are in the same room or across the planet. Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more Breaking down barriers

Hip jargon, like "dynamic and immersive collaboration", or more recently from Microsoft Build, "planet-scale apps", may sound like PR buzz, but it seems to be all part of a plan for Windows, Azure (Cosmos DB), Xbox, Kinect for Azure, and Surface. Microsoft Whiteboard – which is still in early preview – Microsoft OneNote, Office 365, Microsoft Team, and Skype, are all about letting people break down barriers. Some of that is language (Microsoft Translator), some of that is distance ("Holoportation", and some is personal (My People on the Windows Taskbar). All these apps, software, and now even hardware, are very different from the legacy of the desktop PC. The old concept of a terminal that workers slaved behind in isolation (save for the annoying buzz of email) is thankfully dying. A new world where our phones, laptops, wall computers, speakers, and tablets are all connected with instant access to people is the new mission. Sharing information instantly, naturally connecting with co-workers, and busting down those walls is now driving Microsoft. Future purpose of Windows 10 is clearer