Tag: microsoft

What You Need To Know About Microsoft’s Build 2015 Event

Posted on by Lab Team

Yesterday, Microsoft kicked off its annual developer conference, Build 2015. Several big announcements were made that could have a ripple effect on the overall tech ecosystem:

Windows 10 Aiming High
Throughout the event, Microsoft expressed high hopes for its upcoming operating system Windows 10. The company reportedly wants to see Windows 10 on 1 billion devices within two or three years of its official release. Aiming to unify the Windows applications on PC, Windows Phone, Xbox One, as well as new product categories such as Surface Hub and HoloLens, with a common core, Windows 10 could be the first true universal OS.

Open Arms To iOS And Android Apps
As if uniting all Microsoft platforms under Windows 10 isn’t enough, Microsoft also unveiled two new software development kits (SDKs) that will enable iOS and Android developers to leverage their existing codes into building Windows apps, in some cases even porting their apps and games directly to Windows universal apps. By simplifying the process, Microsoft is clearly hoping to lure more app developers into Windows OS to enrich its ecosystem.

HoloLens Growing Fast
As mentioned above, the Windows 10 universal apps will also run on its hologram-generating HoloLens headset that just debuted back in January. At the demo event, Microsoft showcased some applications in a living-room environment—including apps floating on the walls, a hologram dog, and even a holographic Start Menu—all running smoothly as if in a sci-fi movie. Moreover, Microsoft announced a partnership with Unity Technologies to fully explore HoloLens’s incredible potential in becoming a platform for immersive AR gaming.

 

 

Microsoft Brings OTA Broadcast To Xbox

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: The Verge

Microsoft has announced the launch of a new tuner that will bring over-the-air (OTA) TV broadcasts, including ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, PBS, and other non-cable channels, to Xbox users in the US and Canada. The tuner will come in the form of a $60 USB-connected add-on for the gaming console, which means that users will need an antenna to pick up the broadcasts in the first place. After all, Microsoft probably want to avoid being sued like Aereo, and this tuner dongle is certainly a neat workaround to add live TV streaming to its Xbox platform.

Microsoft Itching Close To Launching Its Apple Pay Competitor

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: Business Insider

Months after the official launch of Apple Pay, Microsoft is finally catching up and readying the launch of its own mobile payment system. A few weeks ago at the WinHEC developer conference in Shenzhen, China, Windows showcased a “tap to pay” feature baked into Windows 10 phones. And now Idaho has reportedly approved the company’s plan to launch its own payment transfer service, which will undoubtedly be made available throughout the states.

Why Microsoft Is Opening Up The Xbox

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: GeekWire

Xbox users can soon expect a new array of apps to pop up on the gaming platform, as Microsoft is preparing a software development kit to be released later this year. This new SDK will allow developers to build universal apps for a variety of Windows devices, including the Xbox One, while fostering deeper integration across the Microsoft ecosystem. Moreover, it will buff up Xbox’s functionality by introducing third-party apps, moving it closer to becoming a true multimedia hub for the living room.

Here Come The Holograms

Posted on by Lab Team

Read the original story on: Vox

At yesterday’s Microsoft press event, among standard updates for its software offerings, including the new Windows 10 OS and accompanying new apps, the company also unveiled an intriguing new project: the Microsoft HoloLens. Currently in the prototype stage, it is a see-through visor-like headset that projects holographic objects into the real-world surroundings.

Microsoft has developed a new user interface for 3D computing and is still working on how to enable users to control and interact with the virtual 3D objects. This marks Microsoft’s official foray into augmented reality and could very well be the first step towards a future full of holograms.

Why Dropbox Is Teaming Up With Microsoft

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: The Verge

Dropbox users will soon be able to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files stored on its service with Microsoft’s Office Suite, and in the very near future, updates of Office mobile apps will also seamlessly sync files to Dropbox. It’s a win-win partnership for both sides, as the cloud storage service has been facing strong competition from Google Drive and Apple’s free, iCloud-enabled iWork apps.

Update: In a major strategy shift, Microsoft now offers mobile Office on iPad, iPhone, and Android for free

Quantified Self Movement Continues As Microsoft Unveils Fitness Band

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: The Verge

Microsoft has just become the latest major tech giant to enter the E-Health and fitness market, unveiling new platform called Microsoft Health as well as a fitness wearable dubbed Microsoft Band. As with Apple and Google, Microsoft’s health and fitness device will be closely tied to its OS — in this case, Windows OS with Cortana integration. But with apps available for all major mobile platforms, it appears Microsoft is serious about building a fitness device that works with almost every device out there, which would certainly help with the general adoption rate.

Look Out: A Microsoft Wearable Is Coming Soon

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: Forbes

Microsoft is reportedly set to launch a wearable device soon. The gadget is a fitness-focused smart watch that will track vitals and work across different mobile platforms. It also purportedly boasts a battery life of more than two days of regular use. Reports claim that Microsoft will be pushing it out to retail within the next few weeks — just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. Whether an early launch ahead of the much-anticipated Apple Watch would help it conquer the market remains unclear.

Siri, Cortana, and Google Now: Who Is The Smartest?

Posted on by Lab Team

Source: ReadWrite

Google Now, Siri, and Cortana were each given 3,000 voice queries in a new study to compare the capability of these three major voice-activated AIs. Google Now emerged as the clear champion with 88% of the questions handled correctly. Siri took the second-place with a 53% success rate, while Microsoft’s newly introduced Cortana finished with a mere 40%. Looks like both Siri and Cortana still have a lot of room for improvement.

Two Things That Windows 10 Learned From Apple

Posted on by Lab Team

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 10, the next update of its operating system, oddly skipping Windows 9. Touted as the most comprehensive platform ever, Windows 10 aims to combine the familiarity of Windows 7 with the functionality of Windows 8. Looking closely, it seems Microsoft has learned a thing or two from Apple’s iOS.

Cross-platform continuum: While Apple added continuity feature in iOS 8 and OS Yosemite, helping users toggle between iDevices seamlessly with automatic sync-up, Windows 10 has taken it one step further, providing a unified user experience across platforms and devices ranging from the Internet of Things to servers.

Task View: Designed to help users navigate Windows’ multitasking feature (and looking suspiciously like the Expose Mode of Apple’s OS X), Task View allows users to set up different desktops for various usage scenarios and switch applications between them with ease.

Windows 10 is set to be released later next year.