Raspberry Pi 3 gets the Windows 10 anniversary update

The Windows 10 IoT Core Anniversary Update will make the OS easier to use on the developer board

After Microsoft released an anniversary update of Windows 10 for PCs, a version is now available for the popular Raspberry Pi 3 developer board.

The Anniversary Update is for Windows 10 IoT Core, a slimmed-down version of the OS for Raspberry Pi 3 and other developer boards. Users develop gadgets, robots, drones, and other smart devices with Raspberry Pi 3.

The update has new features, as well as performance and application-support improvements, Microsoft said. It also provides an easier installation experience.

Beyond Raspberry Pi 3, the Anniversary Update will also work with the MinnowMax, Raspberry Pi 2, and DragonBoard 410c developer boards.

Builders have made some innovative devices with Raspberry Pis and Windows 10 IoT Core. Microsoft has listed some interesting projects on its website for makers, including a facial-recognition triggered door, home automation systems, and weather stations.

Raspberry Pi 3 has sold in the millions, and also works with Linux-based operating systems like Raspbian and Ubuntu. The board also connects to Microsoft's Azure cloud, and the Windows 10 OS update has security and service improvements for the cloud service.

The Anniversary Update also fixes core OS bugs and speech recognition issues with Raspberry Pi 3, according to release notes.

A new feature called Windows IoT Remote Client will allow remote access to Raspberry Pi 3 devices from smartphones or PCs.

The update also provides a way for the Raspberry Pi 3 to communicate with more smart home devices through the IoTivity AllJoyn Device System Bridge. The adapter is a bridge to connect Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC) tools, called IoTivity, with the AllJoyn APIs currently used by Microsoft-backed AllSeen Alliance. The discovery, security, and connectivity tools will ultimately be merged into Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) protocols, which will be natively supported by Windows 10 next year.

It's still not clear how existing Raspberry Pi 3 boards will incorporate the Windows 10 IoT Core Anniversary Update. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on how users would be able to download the upgraded OS.


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