Today at Minecon 2015, Mojang and Microsoft announced Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition. Not only did they announce this "new" version of the game, but they also revealed that a beta for the game will begin on July 29, the day that Windows 10 starts to roll out.
If you’re one of the 20 million(!) players who have the PC edition of Minecraft (referred to by techy people as the Java version) you’ll be able to download Windows 10 Edition Beta from the Windows 10 store for free. Other players can get it for the paltry price of $10 during the beta period (the length of which is still being decided).

You’ll recognise some Pocket Edition features in Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta, along with potpourri of cool extras. Here are some highlights:
  • Craft, create, and explore online with up to seven friends playing Windows 10 Edition Beta, through local multiplayer or with your Xbox Live friends online.
  • Play online and local multiplayer with other Pocket Edition players thanks to a free update, due to arrive soon after launch.
  • Multiple control schemes! Switch between controller, touch, and keyboard controls with little to no effort!
  • Record and share gameplay highlights with built-in GameDVR.
  • Help shape the future of Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta with our built player feedback mechanisms!
  • Chickens, zombies, pigs, boats, armed skeletons, potatoes, zombies, baby squids, enchantment tables, villagers, naked sheep, iron golems, potions, ghasts, pickaxes, carrots, and all the weird and wonderful goodness you’ve come to expect from Minecraft.

Mojang_Tommo made sure to clear some misconceptions up on the Minecraft subreddit.
This version IS pocket edition. It's based on PE, it's C++, and we mean to keep it on par forever.

It is NOT another version of Minecraft!

Also, we're aiming for feature parity! We won't have mods for now, but the important thing is that you know it

Also, both PE and Win10 support all controllers

Xbox Live is not required. It's compatible, but the 7 people limit is only there because it's PE! It's just that there isn't a dedicated server right now.

This simply looks like a way to unify the experience between all Windows 10 devices (phone, Xbox, and computer). The java version will not be going anywhere and will still be worked on.

(via Mojang)