Author: Microsoft Stories

Microsoft has launched Plumbago, a new Garage app for Windows 8.1 and 10 tablets. The app is a digital notebook whose technology smoothens handwriting and makes scribbling easier to read later. It also contains realistic ink technology and other features like an optimized tool picker designed to reduce the number of taps to access its features. “We were thinking about how to make a great experience that really took advantage of the Surface and its pen, and could replace a physical notebook. Our goal was to create a neat Windows app using technology that could potentially displace those physical and perceptive artefacts,” said Gavin Jancke, General Manager of Engineering in Microsoft Research.

Microsoft’s news cycle delivered updates on Lumia, Outlook.com, Microsoft Translator, and the growth and new features of Windows 10. The new OS will received a major boost when the US Department of Defense announced its plans to upgrade 4 million PCs to Windows 10. The Secretary of Defense has instructed DoD agencies to begin immediate upgrades to laptops, desktops, and mobile devices running legacy Windows. This project is intended to lower IT costs, streamline IT operations, and improve security for the organization that already spends $44 billion each year to protect itself against cyber-attacks.

The February update for Xbox One and the Xbox app (for Windows 10) is now finally available for download. The latest Xbox One system software update includes a code shortcut, improved friend suggestions, and an updated Xbox Accessories app among others. One can also program the keys on the Chatpad to do anything from a given list, after plugging it into the Xbox controller.

Some games got much needed content updates while other previously exclusive apps, are now on more platforms. The apps that really calls for mention are Cooking Mama Let’s Cook Puzzle, Wolfram Cloud comes to Android, Stellar Wanderer, Minecraft: Pocket Edition 0.14, Microsoft Translator, Infuse 4.0 and more.

Microsoft said it has been working on a pilot project to link Skype with the Aadhar database to explore if the identification service can be used on video calls, including those with government institutions. The US-based software giant said it is very enthusiastic and has “embraced the universal ID system.” “We have been pursuing work, initially on a pilot basis, but it will continue to grow, to use that specific technology and integrate it into Skype,” said Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft. “The person can then communicate with someone on the other end, who might for example, work for a government agency and the government agency will know that person is who he or she says they are,” he added.

Microsoft Corp. is sharpening its focus on security issues in India. The company seeks to work with the government on a policy dedicated to classifying data into sensitive or public segments and protecting them accordingly. “One area where we see an opportunity to move policy here in India, and it is true around the world, is securing government data according to classification of data as sensitive and public,” said Brad Smith, President & Chief legal officer, Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft India Chairman Bhaskar Pramanik said, “We are working closely with defence agencies. We already have them running servers where we work with them, CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) authorities, army and civilian government (departments).”

Microsoft has urged the government to consider using its cloud offerings and data centers for projects such as those involving state owned enterprises, banking and smart cities. Microsoft chief legal officer Brad Smith met communications and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to deliberate on the issue. The latter said the government will be open to using Microsoft’s products as long as it approaches the relevant authorities through proper procedures and ensures that security concerns are addressed. “When we think about the cloud opportunity in India itself, it is going to be a $2 trillion opportunity,” Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft had said at the launch of the data centers.

Microsoft is in talks with ‘almost every’ bank in India to move their partial business to the public cloud. It’s a complete reversal of their earlier technology strategies as the country’s banking sector looks to cut costs. “Before we put the data centers in India, we would talk to a few financial institutions. Now, I would say we are talking to almost every bank about moving some part of their business to the public cloud,” said Peter Gartenberg, general manager – enterprise partner group at Microsoft India.

Tom Clancy’s The Division is now available in beta form for the Xbox One platform. After a successful closed beta, Xbox One players can now access the open beta on the console. Along with changes to the Dark Zone, the open beta will also feature a brand new story mission for players to experience.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 releases on February 23rd for Xbox One and PC. But one can now experience a story mode from the Zombies’ side as well as the Plants and play the game for up to 10 hours.