Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and everything else at Microsoft Build
The next version of Windows 10, a new creative tool called Story Remix and a powerful cross-OS universal clipboard are just some of the new stuff Microsoft unveiled.
- Self-taught tinkerer, informal IT and gadget consultant to friends and family (with several self-built gaming PCs under his belt)
Microsoft wants to be a key asset in your digital toolbox -- regardless of whether you're using Windows, iOS or Android.
Unlike the high-level wonkiness of the previous day at Microsoft Build, day two of the company's developers conference had plenty for average consumers across the operating system spectrum. Microsoft is staying totally focused on its recent "creative" bent for Windows, while highlighting its more cloud-centric, platform-agnostic approach to software and services.
Build day two highlights
- The next version of Windows 10 will be called Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. It will be available later this year. (Microsoft had previously announced that Windows will get major updates every six months.)
- Its most ambitious new feature is an expansion of the Microsoft Graph. The idea is for experiences -- from editing docs to watching video -- you have on your Windows PC to seamlessly follow you to your Android or iOS device.
- Microsoft has unveiled a new app called Windows Story Remix lets you edit photos and video with 3D and mixed reality elements.
- The company debuted a new look and feel to Windows: Fluent Design System. It refers to the tools developers have to create applications, and in this case can bring game-like qualities to interfaces, including layering so that depth can clue you in to how it works by popping elements out at you, and more sophisticated motion and design options.
- A universal web clipboard was shown off, allowing users to cut and copy content from a Windows session and paste it into an Android or iOS app, using a Microsoft-powered keyboard.
- Microsoft unveiled its own motion controllers for Windows 10 VR, and it showed off an impressive demo with Cirque du Soleil.
- iTunes is coming to the Windows 10 Store, which means that Windows 10 S users will be able to use it, too.
From our colleagues at ZDNet:
- Microsoft's new plan for mobile relevance: Use Windows to make other devices better
- New Files On-Demand feature brings OneDrive placeholders back to Windows 10
- Microsoft reveals new Windows 10 features coming in fall update
Want to watch the complete day two keynote? It's embedded below.
Build day one highlights
Day one of the conference was true to its developer core, with over two hours of news on cloud computing, enterprise-level databases, artificial intelligence and machine learning unveils. But the company also slipped in some news on its Cortana digital assistant and internet of things initiatives, adding a nod to the social responsibility and ethics that will need to accompany these radical expansions of cloud-based computing power.
- Microsoft to take on Amazon's Alexa and Google Home
- Microsoft's Nadella says we need to prevent '1984'
- Microsoft says 500 million devices are powered by Windows 10
From ZDNet:
- Microsoft debuts Azure Cosmos DB, a superset of its DocumentDB service
- Microsoft makes Visual Studio for Mac generally available
- Microsoft to developers: Here's how to add AI to your apps
- Microsoft cloud to SQL Server: Let's have an open (source) relationship
- Why Windows must die. For the third time
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