In the News

Tech Data Corporation introduced a community of independent software vendors designed to support the ecosystem of Microsoft solutions offered by its Tech Data Cloud business unit. These ISV solutions enable Tech Data’s solutions providers to easily differentiate offerings while providing more complete solutions to end users. The announcement was made in conjunction with Tech Data’s Channel Link 2016 event in Atlanta, Georgia.

Microsoft is making it easier for gamers who share the same passions or even gender to meet and play with each other online. It’s a step toward curbing online harassment. The company is adding a feature called “looking for group” that will allow Xbox Live gamers to use search terms to find players interested in teaming up on certain games.

Microsoft announced ‘Project Scorpio’, a new Xbox console that will support ultra-high resolution gaming and virtual reality. The tech giant will also launch a slimmer version of its Xbox One console at the video game conference E3 in Los Angeles. Project Scorpio, which will have the ability to power virtual reality experiences and 4K gaming, is expected to be available during the holiday season in 2017.

Microsoft announced the launch of its online store with Tata CLiQ, the e-commerce portal of the Tata Group. The store will sell a wide range of Microsoft products including tablets, personal computers, software and phones. Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Country General Manager, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft India, said, “We are expanding our online presence through our official Microsoft Store so that our consumers find it easier to experience and buy our products. The Microsoft online store will sell products using Tata CLiQ’s “Phygital” model which smartly blends the physical and digital worlds to create an ecosystem between the brand and consumers.

Microsoft, Databricks, and Intel were among those lining up in support of Spark at this week’s Spark Summit. Oliver Chiu, a Senior Product Marketing Manager for big data and data warehousing at Microsoft, wrote, “With GA, we are revealing improvements we’ve made to the service to make Spark hardened for the enterprise and easy for your users. This includes improvements to the availability, scalability, and productivity of our managed Spark service.”

PepsiCo India has announced the launch of a bold new variant Mountain Dew Game Fuel in India. Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Country General Manager, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft India, said, “Gaming, especially social gaming, is growing exponentially among Indian audiences. We are committed to delivering unmatched and memorable experiences to Indian gamers and our partnership with PepsiCo for Mountain Dew GameFuel is a step in that direction. We are confident that the platform will attract, and appeal to, the growing Indian gaming community.”

Cyanogen has started rolling out version 13.1 of its OS with Mod support to OnePlus One smartphones. It also comes with more integrated apps from Microsoft, including Skype integration in the Phone app, more control for Cortana, OneNote from Microsoft and Microsoft Hyperlapse for camera app.

Back in March, Microsoft had announced that Windows 10 has surpassed 300 million active devices since its launch in July 2015 and now the company claims it is the most successful operating system till date. However, Microsoft is now relying on platforms like cloud computing and Cortana intelligence suite for its next growth verticals. At the recently held Build Tour in Pune, Microsoft India General Manager for Developer Experience, Narendra Bhandari said, “Our goal is to provide best tools to developers and help them build great apps for cross-platform utilization.” Microsoft wants consumers and developers to see Windows, Office and Azure as intelligent platforms that work together.

Microsoft is previewing its major anniversary software update for Xbox One. The first patch for the upcoming update is releasing for people who’ve opted for Xbox Early Access. The list of new features is quite extensive, but Cortana for Xbox One is the headliner. Xbox One’s current Kinect voice controls are functional but Cortana will bring Siri-like natural language functionality, a big plus if users use voice controls regularly on the Xbox One.

Shinobi602 predicted that Microsoft is all set to have a “super solid lineup” at E3 this year. Between rumors of new Xbox hardware coming out this year and next year, and the raft of Xbox One exclusives slated for later in the year, including Gears of War 4, it’s not surprising that Microsoft should have a jam-packed E3 schedule. Dead Rising 4, State of Decay 2, Forza Horizon 3, Gears of War 4, and Rare’s new IP Sea of Thieves, might be among the titles that will get importance during Microsoft’s press release.