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Microsoft's diversity should mirror its keynote
At Build 2016, Microsoft offered a glimpse at the company's future. We saw a preview of new universal apps, Linux development within Windows 10, a HoloLens update and its brand new Cortana-fueled AI strategy. But we might have also had a peek at another side of Microsoft, one that is attempting to acknowledge and perhaps overcome its diversity issues.
Watch Microsoft's opening-day Build keynote in just 10 minutes
If you didn't happen to be sitting near a computer during the opening ceremonies for Microsoft's Build developer conference yesterday, never fear: We've condensed the two-hour, opening-day keynote into a roughly 10-minute video. Included in our highlight reel are CEO Satya Nadella's opening remarks; the Windows 10 "Anniversary Update"; news on universal apps; a demo of new Windows inking features; Microsoft's surprise Linus news; a peek at HoloLens's packaging; and, most importantly, a glimpse at Microsoft's incoming army of chatbots. If you've got just 10 minutes, we'll give you all the meat, minus the fluff.
Microsoft's Edge browser gets a handful of new extensions
Microsoft has announced some important new extensions for its Edge browser at the annual Build developer conference. Major services like Pinterest, Amazon, Evernote, LastPass, Reddit, Adblock and Adblock Plus can now plug into Microsoft's newest browser. This comes a few weeks after an updated version of Edge rolled out that supported a paltry three extensions; those announced at Build bring the number up a little bit, but Edge still lags far behind Chrome, Firefox or even Safari in this department.
Microsoft's mobile OS isn't Windows -- it's Cortana
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella didn't mention Windows Mobile once during the opening-day Build developer conference keynote yesterday, nor did any of the other executives who took the stage. But that doesn't mean the company lacks a mobile strategy: The presentation offered a bold look at how Microsoft thinks we'll soon be using our phones. Instead of digging through apps, we'll just use natural language to tell our phones what we need to do -- or, they'll be smart enough to know what we want, when we want it.
Chatting with Skype bots feels like talking to a search engine
Earlier today, Microsoft announced that it would be integrating chat bots into Skype, thus allowing you to have quick conversations with a variety of businesses and services. At the Build 2016 keynote, we saw examples of how you could book a hotel through a WestinBot or order a pizza though a Domino's Bot. Those specific bots are unfortunately not available to the public just yet, but if you update Skype today, you'll be able to play around with at least a few chat bots to get an idea of how it all works.
Engadget has a new Windows 10 app!
Forgive us for tooting our own horn, but Microsoft isn't the only company with big Windows news today -- we have some, too. Engadget has released a new app for Windows 10, giving you quick access to technology news from your Start screen. On top of presenting stories in a touch-friendly format, the app also has a Live Tile that offers a glimpse of the latest happenings. Give it a shot if you're eager to follow all the developments from Build (and beyond) without having to wade through your web browser.
Microsoft's Build 2016 conference by the numbers
Despite somehow managing to stretch 20 minutes worth of actual news into a two and a half-hour slog, Microsoft announced a host of new products and services at its 2016 Build developers conference on Wednesday. The company announced an "Anniversary Update" for Windows 10, new universal social media apps, educational trips to Mars using the Hololens and a new software dev kit for the XBox One. And that's just the start!
Skype gets HoloLens support and help from Cortana
Microsoft isn't just content to work on a universal Skype app -- it has much bigger plans in store. It's developing a version of Skype for HoloLens that, as you'd expect, lets you chat and collaborate with friends using the augmented reality headset. Its exact functionality isn't clear yet, but the allure is clear: you can hold a hands-free video chat while you're walking around the room. Needless to say, that's helpful if you're working on a group project or have your hands full with other tasks. Don't worry if you can't drop $3,000 on a HoloLens unit to try it out, though, as there's plenty coming for regular users.
Microsoft's AI strategy is about more than just Cortana
With the Tay fiasco fresh in our minds, Microsoft has unveiled its "Conversations as a Platform" at its annual Build developer conference Build, in the hopes that devs will create AI bots that work with Cortana. The idea is to make it easy to do things like shop, order services, look up your flight or schedule meetings simply by chatting with Microsoft's virtual assistant.
Cortana will soon make suggestions throughout your day
Cortana has come a long way since debuting nearly two years ago. As time goes by, Microsoft's virtual assistant keeps getting smarter, with features like helping you scan emails to keep track of deadlines. It's also expanded its reach to Android and iOS, the two most popular mobile platforms. Now, as part of the upcoming Windows 10 "Anniversary Update," Cortana will start making proactive suggestions throughout the day.
Anyone can turn their Xbox One into a software dev kit
The dream of turning your Xbox One into a software development kit is finally real. Xbox chief Phil Spencer announced today during today's Build keynote that the process will be pretty simple, too. Essentially, you just download the Xbox Dev Mode app, register as a developer and that's it. From there, you can swap back and forth between a retail game and whatever app you're working on, be it a game or something else.
Microsoft's HoloLens starts shipping to developers today
We knew that Microsoft would be shipping the first wave of HoloLens preorders to developers today, but now we're getting a peek at what that kit will look like. Inside the box, you'll of course find the mixed-reality headset along with a sleek carrying case for when you want to take it to a friend's house. There's also a device called Clicker, which is designed to help you navigate the user interface. If you missed out on the first wave of preorders, Microsoft says it will fulfill the rest over a period of two to three months.
Microsoft and NASA want you to walk on Mars
Microsoft and NASA have been collaborating on ingenious ways to use mixed reality as an aid for astronauts since last year. Last December, as part of NASA's Sidekick project, two HoloLens headsets reached the International Space Station to assist and guide the crew. Now they're bringing the experience of space exploration to the public with "Destination: Mars." The interactive exhibit opening at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida this summer will allow visitors to walk on a virtual version of Mars. The planet has been created with images from NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover so you can expect your simulated exploration to be accurate. The experience will be further enhanced with a holographic version of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who will guide you through your stroll in space.
New Universal Windows apps include Facebook, Instagram
Redmond surprised developers at Build by launching Linux Bash support, but it's now gone back to its bread and butter with updates to its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. As a reminder, those are designed to work across Windows mobile, Xbox and the desktop. Perhaps the most important among the new crop are from Facebook, which has gone Universal for both its main app and Messenger. Advertisers will also be able to reach nearly three million Facebook Universal app users via the Facebook Audience Network. Other social apps, including, Twitter, Instagram and Vine also received new UWP updates.
Linux command-line tools are coming to Windows 10
Now here's something you likely didn't expect at Microsoft's Build developer conference: A staple feature of Linux (and Unix) is coming to Windows 10. The company is integrating the Bash command-line shell and support for Ubuntu Linux binaries into Windows 10's Anniversary Update. This is, of course, big news for developers who want to use command-line tools while creating apps, but it's also important for power users who'd otherwise be tempted to install either third-party tools (like Cygwin) or a virtual machine.
Windows 10's 'Anniversary Update' arrives this summer
Just because Microsoft is less focused on monolithic Windows releases doesn't mean it's forgetting to deliver big upgrades. The company has used Build 2016 to announce a so-called Anniversary Update for Windows 10 that delivers some hefty improvements. For one, it brings Windows Hello's biometric authentication to all kinds of apps, including the Edge browser: You can sign into a website with your fingerprint. Pen support also gets its due with a sticky note app, a sketchpad and virtual drawing tools like a ruler and a stencil. The upgrade brings more advanced gestures and pen input, a Linux command-line shell, smarter Cortana commands (such as sending files to colleagues) and unification between the Windows 10 and Xbox One app stores. The Anniversary Update arrives this summer, so it shouldn't be too long before you can give its features a try. Get all the news from today's Microsoft Build keynote right here!
Live from Microsoft's Build 2016 keynote!
It's time once again for Build, Microsoft's annual developer conference, where the company lays out its plan for the year ahead. Since Windows 10 is already out there in the wild -- where it's enjoying quite a bit of popularity -- we don't expect too big of an update on the OS front. Still, we'll probably see a few additional features; perhaps richer Live Tiles, greater Cortana integration and even more of those universal apps (Skype, anyone?). It seems especially likely that we'll hear more about how Windows 10 apps will work on the Xbox One. On top of that, we're expecting more Office and productivity suite news and fingers crossed that we'll get an update on Windows Phone too. Last, but certainly not least, we'll definitely get to see more of HoloLens, Microsoft's AR headset that's set to head out to developers later this week. To get the full rundown of what will be announced at the keynote, tune in to our liveblog right here at 11:30 am ET / 8:30 am PT.
Here's how to watch Microsoft's opening-day Build keynote
Microsoft is about to kick off its annual Build conference in San Francisco this week. The debut of Windows 10 made all the news last year. Now, about eight months since its launch, we're expecting to see some high-profile new universal apps, improved Cortana integration and some more AI-powered chatbots. And with HoloLens shipping to developers today, you can expect some augmented reality news, maybe even a teleportation trick or two on stage. We'll be bringing you live updates from the Moscone Center today at 11:30AM ET/8:30AM PT. You can also tune in right here to watch Satya Nadella's opening-day Build keynote.
Microsoft's Build 2016 conference kicks off on March 30
Microsoft's last Build developer conference was a doozy, since it was the company's final shot at convincing developers that Windows 10 was worth their time. For its next conference, Microsoft is returning to SF's Moscone Center between March 29 and April 1, according to chief developer evangelist Steven Guggenheimer. Now that Windows 10 is in the wild, the company will likely focus on how it'll be improving the platform in 2016. I wouldn't expect anything huge from the conference, but it'll still be a good chance for Microsoft to directly address developer concerns (and maybe convince them to take its phones more seriously). Hopefully, we'll also learn more about how Microsoft plans to fit HoloLens into the Windows 10 ecosystem (last year we got a chance to build HoloLens apps).
