Build 2019
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Microsoft is evolving by focusing on people
The Microsoft of today would have been unrecognizable just a few years ago. That was clearer than ever at this week's Build conference, where the company once again did its best to court developers. Azure, AI, Edge and Office 365 were all hot topics -- but, surprisingly, the running theme throughout the show wasn't about tech, it was about people. Practically everything Microsoft announced, from adding a complete Linux kernel in Windows to simply bringing Internet Explorer into Edge, was meant to make the lives of both developers and consumers easier.
Windows 10 will get a built-in Linux kernel this summer
The suddenly-cozy relationship between Linux and Windows is taking another step forward, as Microsoft announced in a blog post that it's going to ship a full Linux kernel in Windows 10. It will arrive first with Insider preview builds by the end of June, underpinning the new Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. The first release will be based on version 4.19, the latest stable Linux release, and will keep up with each stable release going forward. According to Microsoft this isn't its first release of a Linux kernel -- that came last year on Azure Sphere -- but it is the first time on Windows. By making this switch as a "drop-in replacement" for the current emulator, it should speed up performance significantly, with faster bootup and more efficient use of memory. Users can interface with it either by installing a distribution from the Microsoft Store or sideloading. Also, the kernel itself will be open source, with instructions available to create your own, and Microsoft has pledged to contribute changes it makes open for others to use. All of this news also came after Microsoft earlier announced a new version of its Windows Terminal command line app.
Microsoft's Cortana will eventually sound more like a real assistant
Virtual assistants like Microsoft's Cortana, Amazon's Alexa and Google's have finally made voice-controlled computing a reality. But talking to them still feels basic -- shouting commands isn't exactly how you'd interact with another human being. At its Build developer conference today, Microsoft gave us a glimpse at how Cortana could improve on that.
Microsoft's Fluid Framework is a new take on document collaboration
Where do we go beyond web-based productivity apps like Google Docs and the Office 365 suite? That's what Microsoft is aiming to explore with Fluid Framework, a "componentized document model for shared interactive experiences." In plain English, it means you won't have to be restricted to working in just a Word document, or an Excel spreadsheet. Instead, Fluid Framework is going to let you create files that can be many different things at once. Microsoft says it'll lead "to the beginning of the free-flowing canvas," where you'll be able to just get your ideas down without worrying about how they're formatted from the start.
Microsoft wants to secure elections and political campaigns
Get the jokes about voting booths crashing left and right out of your system: Microsoft announced today that it's taking a few steps towards election security. First up is ElectionGuard, an open source software development kit that will offer public verifiability and other security measures for elections. Since it's open, Microsoft is hoping developers will integrate it into existing voting systems -- it's not trying to replace things that already work. Additionally, Microsoft says it'll offer "guidance and tools to build more accessible voting systems," though it didn't elaborate on specifics. Developers will be able to get their hands on ElectionGuard's SDK when it hits GitHub in the summer.
Watch Microsoft's Build 2019 keynote here at 11:30AM ET
We're thick in the middle of developer conference season -- Facebook's F8 event took place last week, and Google I/O kicks off tomorrow. Today, however, all eyes are on Microsoft: Build 2019 starts in just a few hours with a keynote presentation from CEO Satya Nadella. While Microsoft's event is historically light on consumer-focused news, there's no doubt the company's announcements will be significant to its massive developer community. We'll be on the ground in Seattle bringing you news from the event for the next few days, but if you want to tune in to the keynote, check out the livestream on YouTube below. You can also find a stream on Microsoft's own site here.
HoloLens 2 Development Edition comes with free Unity software trials
With the HoloLens 2 Development Edition, Microsoft is doing everything it can to get devs onboard its new mixed reality headset. It'll come with free three-month trials of Unity Pro and the Unity PiXYZ plugin for CAD data. Additionally, it'll include Azure credits, giving developers an easy way to put their creations online. And best of all, HoloLens 2 Development Edition will come in a bit cheaper than what Microsoft previously announced: Devs can snag it for $99 a month, instead of $125 monthly. It's still $3,500 if you want to buy it outright, though.
