Author: Microsoft Stories

A lot of pressure has been placed on Microsoft, explicitly and implicitly, to share their vision for exactly what UWP is meant to be. Microsoft announced that they are working on a lot of problems with UWP, so, for instance, the lack of options with UWP apps, such as the inability to disable V-Sync or the ability to support G-Sync and freesync, etc. Microsoft also stated that UWP will end up supporting all devices, from Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs to tablets and smartphones, HoloLens and the Internet of Things devices.

After a long beta period for ‘Windows Insiders’, Microsoft has finally announced the release of Windows 10 for older phones. The first devices to be granted access to the official rollout update are the Windows 8.1 based devices. “As Windows 10 delivers significant new innovations, many older devices are not able to successfully upgrade without an impact on the customer experience. Our goal is to only offer the Windows 10 upgrade to devices that we are confident can continue to deliver a good customer experience,” said Microsoft.

Ray Meiring, CEO, Qorus Software, was recently interviewed by Stephen Boyle, Vice President, US Partner Strategy, Microsoft. The Qorus solutions integrate with Office, SharePoint and Dynamics CRM, and it has been recognized by Microsoft for Application Development, Cloud Platform and SQL Server 2014. Shamiana Soderberg, Senior Account Manager for Qorus Software, Microsoft, said, “Working with Best of Breed Cloud Partners like Qorus Software sets the standard for Microsoft’s innovation in a mobile-first, cloud-first world.”

Right now, Amazon and Microsoft are leading some of the most promising efforts to develop the next big computing platforms. Between Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, the two companies have dominance over cloud computing; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said was likely to be “larger than any market we’ve ever participated in.” And it’s that cloud expertise that makes Amazon and Microsoft the companies best poised to think beyond the smartphone and come up with the next big thing.

It has been little more than a year since computer-tablet maker BAK USA started operations in Buffalo, training disadvantaged neighbors to build its low-cost computers. Now the socially focused business is ramping up its operations after signing a partnership with Microsoft. It is now an official Microsoft Original Equipment Manufacturer and can create devices around the Windows 10 platform. It has launched a new product, plans to increase hiring, and hopes to find local companies to supply parts.

Microsoft revealed that an “exciting update” is planned for the Windows 10 Maps app. Thisi is after HERE announced that it is leaving Microsoft’s Windows 10 and Windows Phone platforms. Microsoft plans to overhaul its mapping service for its users. User Dave_MSFT, who is a verified Microsoft employee, took to Reddit to assure users that the Redmond giant has an “exciting update” for the Windows 10 Maps app planned for them.

Microsoft, along with its ISV partners, showcased some marquee solutions like better consumer experiences, apps designed to source right candidates for jobs, analyzing customer sentiment and a gamification solution for enhanced learning. Harish Vaidyanathan, Director, ISV Programs, Microsoft said, “Each organization and individual connected via a smart device today consumes data on the cloud in some form or the other. Microsoft Azure offers a unique opportunity for businesses and end-users alike and we aim to bridge the gap between people who create great solutions, the ISVs and those who need them.”

Microsoft isn’t dropping support for payments via Bitcoin currency from the Microsoft Store. The Bitcoin community took a big blow last weekend when a support page on Microsoft website said that the company won’t accept the cryptocurrency on Microsoft Store, and by extension, the Windows Store. However in a statement to The Verge, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “We continue to support Bitcoin for adding money to your Microsoft Account which can be used for purchasing content in the Windows and Xbox stores. We apologies for inaccurate information that was inadvertently posted to a Microsoft site, which is currently being corrected.”

Beginning April, Microsoft will end support for its decade long software development platform, Visual Studio 2005. Eric Zajac, Senior Program Manager, Visual Studio, Microsoft said, “In line with our support policy, starting April 12, 2016, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, technical support, or hotfixes, for all Visual Studio 2005 products and the redistributable components and runtimes included with them,” he said. Zajac advises developers to upgrade to the latest versions of Visual Studio, “A lot has happened in software development since 2005, we’re looking at you, C++ 11, TypeScript, .Net 4.6, Cordova, Roslyn, and UWP (Universal Windows Platform).