Author: Microsoft Stories

Microsoft’s latest and greatest controller for the Xbox One, the Elite controller, has been selling gang busters since it released on October 27th next to Halo 5: Guardians. The response was so great that Xbox boss Phil Spencer wasn’t even sure if consumers would be able to find one for Christmas. The Xbox Elite controller retails for $149.99 and includes an interchangeable D-Pad, thumbsticks, hair triggers and other customization options for players. It’s been widely praised for its feel and range of customization.

OneDrive for Business entered the next stage of its evolution on Wednesday when Microsoft launched a series of updates that are aimed at improving its cloud storage and productivity service for businesses and other large organizations. The company launched its next-generation OneDrive for Business sync client which should bring increased speed and reliability to the experience of using Microsoft’s enterprise cloud storage on a computer.

Microsoft restarted distribution of Windows 10 previews by delivering the first new build since the November upgrade of five weeks ago.The new version, identified as build 11082, was offered to Windows Insider participants who have selected the “Fast” ring, or delivery track.

Microsoft’s Lync replacement, Skype for Business, is now available for Android. Available without a fussy beta tag, Skype for Business — for Android — brings all the functionality you like about Skype, but with a mobile twist. A new dashboard surfaces all of your upcoming meetings, contacts and recent conversations. The app also has full-screen video and large buttons for things like muting your microphone or disabling video.

Smartwatch market in the country has got a new player — Hug Innovations, an Indian technology startup. The company has launched its gesture control-enabled Hug Smartwatch. The smartwatch is built on the Microsoft Azure platform and is designed to help users control their gadgets with motion of hands.

Technovanza and Microsoft present the Hack4India Challenge, powered by Exotel. Inspired by the Prime Minister’s initiatives and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s program to bring low-cost broadband technology to some five lakh villages across the country, Technovanza wishes to affect positive change and develop a new generation of programmers that will provide innovative solutions to the challenges faced by many in India.

Indian language experience is available in Bing.com both on Desktop and Mobile devices. Indian users can use Bing in their native languages as it supports 9 Indian languages viz. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati and Punjabi. A virtual onscreen keyboard helps users in typing their preferred language without requiring additional keyboard installations. Users can also easily toggle between English and their native language by simply clicking on the keyboard icon in Bing search bar or closing the onscreen virtual keyboard.

Microsoft unveiled a slew of new Windows 10 devices in the UAE, pledging to continue with its “bold ambition” of making computing more personal and empowering users to do more. The US technology giant launched the Surface Pro 4, and the Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones, the first mobiles to come pre-loaded with Windows 10. “The Surface Pro 4 is possibly the most productive PC you’ll find in the market,” Mohammed Arif, Windows business group lead at Microsoft Gulf, told before the start of the event in Dubai.

Microsoft is adding a new organization under its belt today: Microsoft Philanthropies. As one might infer from the name, Microsoft Philanthropies will be dedicated to humanitarian causes with a technology lean, akin to Google.org. It will be led by Brad Smith, who was appointed to the role of company-wide president in September and has been with the Microsoft since 1993.

Microsoft has revamped the name and identity of audience engagement platform, Bing Pulse. The relaunched service, Microsoft Pulse, encompasses several products in Redmond’s lineup to create a more robust research tool. Like its predecessor, Microsoft Pulse is free to use. It’s available to users starting Dec. 15.