Tech giant hosts annual developer conference to reveal incremental updates
On March 30, 2016, American tech giant Microsoft hosted their annual Build developer conference. While industry analysts anticipated the unveiling of a Surface phone or other large-scale products, Microsoft took time to showcase incremental updates geared towards better product integration.
The ongoing saga of Windows 10’s evolution
The unveiling of Windows 10 continues to remain one of Microsoft’s greatest showcases to this day. Though the numerical moniker indicated that Microsoft planned on releasing more Windows variants in the future, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella insisted that the company no longer planned on releasing upgrades. Instead, the company would focus efforts on building Windows as a service. Though the company has been reluctant to explain precisely what Windows might look like as a service, instead of merely an operating system, this year’s Build conference seems to suggest that it’s all a matter of focusing on small updates.
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At Build 2016, Microsoft announced that the next large-scale update for Windows 10 would be released this summer. Dubbed the “Anniversary Update,” users this summer will be able to integrate biometric authentication—like fingerprints—into their Windows experience, as well as a number of changes aimed at improving efficiency.
Other changes include introducing a Linux command line into Windows, allowing users to access the Bash shell within Windows.
“Yes, the real Bash is coming to windows,” said Kevin Gallo, vice-president of the Windows Developer Platform, at the March 30, 2016 conference. “This is not a [virtual machine]. This is not cross-compiled tools. This is native.”
In addition to including Bash, speakers announced new universal apps for Windows 10. These are applications that remain consistent across the laptops, tablets, phones, and consoles that feature Windows 10. Users will soon be able to access Uber, Vine, Bank of America, as well as a number of video games that will be playable on every Windows 10 platform. As Microsoft continues to accrue developers interested in reaching a wider audience, the company also announced plans to release a desktop tool that will allow developers to more easily convert their apps across Windows 10 platforms.
Xbox One and dev kits
While gamers will still be able to select the console that suits their needs, Microsoft announced that gaming across Windows 10 will no longer need to be divided between operating systems. At Build 2016, Microsoft announced plans to integrate gaming across Windows and Xbox, allowing for a single unified playing field. Additionally, speakers announced that Microsoft planned on creating a unified app store across both PC and the Xbox.
However, perhaps the most interesting announcement was in relation to the Xbox One and developer kits. Microsoft announced that an update would soon be released that would allow developers to turn any Xbox One into a dev kit capable of testing games and apps across Windows 10 platforms. The move not only allows existing developers to better create games across multiple platforms, but it also allows up-and-coming developers to more easily create games and apps.
HoloLens and virtual reality of the future
The Oculus Rift is now available, Sony Playstation VR will soon be released, while HTC and Valve are gearing up for the release of the HTC Vive. In the meanwhile, the first development edition Microsoft HoloLens devices are currently shipping, and Microsoft took time to showcase the device for the unconvinced few.
As of last week, HoloLens is available to developers willing to pay the US$3,000 required to purchase the unit. At Build 2016, Microsoft showcased the Galaxy Explorer Project, a virtual reality demonstration that allows users to interact with cosmic objects, while simultaneously showing off the device’s short-term capabilities.
HoloLens serves as yet another foray into virtual reality computing. However, one is forced to wait before passing judgment on technology that is undeniably interesting, but currently lacking in meaningful application.
Why Microsoft believes bots are the way of the future
On March 23, 2016, Microsoft unveiled Tay, a chatbot designed to speak in the same manner as a stereotypically modern teenager. Tay would engage with an online community of users, learning to mimic and adapt her own speech patterns to reflect the information provided through user interactions. It took approximately 24 hours for Tay to transform into a violent, racist, misogynist.
The experiment might be perceived as a failure by some, but Microsoft seemed insistent on human-machine harmony at Build 2016. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took the stage to advocate for the use of bots, while also advocating for harmony between humans and artificial intelligences.
“Bots are like new applications that you converse with,” said Nadella, at the March 23 event.
Cortana, the digital assistant bundled with every copy of Windows 10, serves as Microsoft’s personal digital assistant, but Nadella and Microsoft want Cortana to be able to provide users with an easier computing experience.
“We think this can have as profound an impact as the previous platform shifts have had,” explained Nadella.