Author: Microsoft Stories

Panasonic announced at the Automechanika the latest version of its Toughbook CF-53 semi-rugged notebook with enhanced performance. The Toughbook CF-53 is powered by the latest fourth-generation Intel Core i5 vPro processor delivering outstanding performance and up to 15 hours battery life. It uses the latest Windows 8.1 Pro Update 64-bit operating system or Windows 7 Professional and features a 14″ diagonal anti-glare/reflection display with Intel HD 4400 graphics for incredible performance, responsiveness and media capabilities.

iBall is the latest in line among home grown manufacturers to join the Windows Phone 8.1 bandwagon with the launch of a new device: the Andi4L Pulse smartphone. The dual-SIM device runs Windows Phone 8.1 OS out-of-the-box. It sports a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and BSI sensor and a 0.3MP front-facing snapper. It is backed by a 1500mAh battery.

A week-long “Teacher empowerment” programme concluded at the Academic Staff College (ASC) of Guru Nanak Dev University. The programme was conducted by Microsoft under the aegis of the National Mission on Education, a project of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The main aim of the programme was to strengthen the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in classrooms by teachers of higher education.

In the new year, the Indian smartphones market is expected to further consolidate its position, before emerging as the world’s second biggest market in 2016. “Smartphones as a category is growing at a phenomenal pace. The Rs 5,000-15,000 category is exploding and we expect this trend to continue in 2015,” said, Ajey Mehta, Managing Director, Nokia India Sales – a Microsoft Mobiles Oy subsidiary.

Deshpande Foundation’s Sandbox Startups Incubator has announced the opening of applications for the Incubation Program. Designed in association with Microsoft Ventures the program will help accelerate growth for tier-2 and tier-3 cities based startups in the social and for profit space. Rajinish Menon, Director, Microsoft Ventures, India said: “Microsoft Ventures and Deshpande Foundation have designed this program to ensure these startups have a level playing field and same opportunities which is available to a startup in Bangalore or Delhi.”

Posterscope India has woven an out-of-home campaign for the Microsoft Lumia 730 that optimizes the opportunity provided by the strengths of the brand in a highly competitive environment. Raghuvesh Sarup, Director – Marketing, Nokia India Sales, a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobiles, said, “The market has evolved from being a battle of devices to a campaign of winning ecosystems. To win this market we need to offer truly compelling experiences and services to the consumer in an overall package called the device. The campaign echoes highlights the key Microsoft services available on the Lumia 730.”

The Nokia Lumia 625, which was unveiled in 2013 at Rs.19,999, is now available on Amazon.in at Rs.7,499. The handset runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8 which is upgradable to 8.1 version of the operating system. The Lumia 625 is powered by 1.2 GHz Dual Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and has a 5.0 megapixel rear camera.

‘Cloud adoption’ is no longer a technology buzzword tossed around in company corridors, said Microsoft India Managing Director Karan Bajwa. The latest innovations in cloud computing are making business applications more mobile and collaborative. As this proliferates more, cybersecurity will continue to emerge as a dominant focus area in 2015. In addition, newer technologies like Internet of Things and Machine learning will catch the imagination of business, he said.

HP Enterprise Services announced an agreement with Microsoft to integrate Office 365 and HP service delivery into one comprehensive enterprise solution. Under the agreement, HP Enterprise Services for Office 365 will combine the capabilities and benefits of the industry’s leading business productivity solution with the delivery expertise and hosting experience of HP Enterprise Services, including end-to-end service accountability and expanded datacenter locations to support the new style of IT.

Lumia smartphone users will soon be able to download the operating system update onto their handset’s SD card. Microsoft has revealed that this option will arrive with the Lumia Denim update to select handsets. The Lumia Denim update is Microsoft’s latest firmware update for Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia smartphones. The update, which started rolling out recently, brings with it the voice assistant Cortana to a few more regions, the Apps Corner app, and a range of improvements.