Microsoft now claims half a billion Windows 10 devices

Microsoft's chief executive yesterday touted a new number for Windows 10, saying the operating system now powers 500 million devices -- half way toward a goal the company once gave itself but since discarded.During a keynote address that opened Microsoft's Build developers conference in Seattle Wednesday, CEO Satya Nadella updated the Windows 10 installed base as he pitched the OS to programmers.[ Related: Windows 10 Redstone: A guide to the builds ]"Think about the 500 million Windows 10 device