The Microsoft Build Conference is still going on as I write this blog…and it will continue through tomorrow. Build is for developers…those folks both employed by corporations and independent developers. So much of what has been announced so far is for them. But not all.
I watched yesterday’s keynote address…two hours worth of tech talk mixed in with plans for the future, near and far. The biggest announcement for us non-nerds was the summertime release of the next major update to Windows 10, the so-called “Anniversary Update.” With that name, it is natural to assume it will happen in late July, one year after the first release of Windows 10. You can read about it in our first story.
But what really caught my attention was Microsoft’s plan to put conversation into the very heart of computing…or as CEO Satya Nadella phrased it, “Conversation as a Platform.” This will first be implemented through Cortana, the digital assistant built into Windows 10 that answers your typed or vocalized inquiries. It will also use bots (short for robots). Social bots are automated programs that can chat to users in a human-like way. Cortana will interact with bots on the users behalf. I know that is difficult to comprehend, and I surely don’t get it all myself.
All I can say for sure is that Microsoft is moving into new territory for Windows 10 and computing in general. I admire the forward-thinking plans of the company and look forward to seeing how it all unfolds. And we won’t have to wait long as Cortana will have some of these new features implemented when the Anniversary Update rolls out this summer.
Much of what this conference is about is enabling developers to make use of new programming tools that are being given away for their use. I have seen some demonstrations of what these new tools can do and I am quite frankly amazed.
The bottom line for me is that Microsoft has a grand vision for our computing future and is doing all it can to make it happen. Right now, I think, rightly or wrongly, that Microsoft is way ahead of Apple, who appear to me and many others, to be stuck in the mud and are making only small improvements to what they already have. So the question begs: is Apple the new IBM?
I encourage you to read the news stories in this blog to get an idea of where Microsoft is headed. It is an eye-opener. You might also want to check out some of our tips and tricks for computers, tablets and phones. There are some good ones here. -JRC
Tech News and Opinions
Windows 10 Anniversary Update Coming This Summer, New Features Announced
Microsoft has announced the next major update to Windows 10 that will arrive this summer, aptly named the ‘Anniversary Update’. For those of you who have been following with the development cycle of Windows 10, you know this update as Redstone 1.
Microsoft's wild vision for the future puts conversations at the heart of computing
At the Build conference, CEO Satya Nadella unveiled the company's grand vision of "conversation as a platform" — making bots that understand natural language the next big way to use computers.
Cortana will become even more powerful
At Tuesday's Build keynote, Microsoft showed how the company plans to add increased utility to its Cortana digital assistant, through greater contextual awareness and more proactive actions.
270 million machines are now running Windows 10
Since launch, Microsoft has regularly issued updates to the operating system, giving the impression that Windows 10 is still very much a work in progress.
Apple signs deal with Major League Baseball to put iPads in every dugout
Managers and coaches will be issued the 12.9-inch version of the device, along with a rugged case. Each iPad will be loaded with stats for the players on the team to which it is assigned, and the data will be proprietary to each team.
Computer Tips and Tricks
Eight Useful Microsoft Excel Shortcuts Worth Memorizing
These helpful, Excel shortcuts can help you save time and get more done. From highlighting every cell at once to quickly copying formulas, they’re a refresher for experts and worth remembering for beginners.
Crash Course: Use Excel to Conquer Your Taxes and Manage Your Budget
Taxes are painful. Microsoft's spreadsheet software can bring some sanity to the world of taxes.
5 useful Gmail and Google Apps add-ons for Firefox
Access your favorite Google Apps, manage email, and translate text all from your Firefox toolbar.
10 Tips to Speed Up Windows 10
Windows 10 is faster than the previous versions of Microsoft's OS, but you can still speed up your PC with our tricks.
Do you have bad RAM? Here's how to find out
Defective RAM can cause all sorts of problems. If you're wondering why your PC isn't behaving, a RAM diagnosis may be in order.
Mobile Computing
Google Play will soon let you try out games directly from search
Google is announcing a slew of new features for Play Games today, and the coolest might actually be a new type of ad
Cardboard VR viewer now available for purchase in Google's store
Need a cheap — really cheap — virtual reality headset? Google's got you covered with its $15 Cardboard, which you can now buy directly from the company's web store.
10 new Android apps worth checking out
Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve. But here are 10 that you might want to check out.
Amazon bans crappy USB Type-C cables
Amazon has decided to take a stance against subpar adapters to prevent more people from frying their devices.
How to find and remove 'Other' files from iPhone and iPad
The 'Other' category in iPhone and iPad's storage doesn't have to take up so much space.
How to use iCloud Keychain to generate a password on your iPad
The purpose of using iCloud keychain is to be able to sign into all of your accounts, on all of your various devices, using consistently stronger passwords.
No comments:
Post a Comment