In the News

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).

Microsoft has almost doubled the price of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition for Windows 10 PCs. The game was priced at Rs. 729 when launched but now is available for Rs. 1,480. It will be interesting to see if this is just the beginning of price hikes for games across the Windows Store.

Amway India Enterprises Pvt launched its first digitally-enabled experience center in Bengaluru. Amway partnered with Microsoft to conceptualize and design the store with an aim to transform the consumer as well as distributor experience. Karan Bajwa, Managing Director, Microsoft India, said, “We are pleased to partner with Amway to create an experience which blends digital engagement with physical products and spaces. Amway’s digital transformation is centered on the consumer and we are creating experiences which excite them in whole new ways. This is made possible by understanding customer’s behaviors captured through various sensors, Internet of things and natural user interface like touch and gestures.”

Chris Charla, Director of ID@Xbox announced the cross-platform multiplayer option, saying, “In addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we’re enabling developers to support cross-network play as well. This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other console and PC networks.”

Fallout 4 will be receiving its first DLC Automatron later this month and users will finally get a look at the gameplay footage. Releasing on March 22nd, Automatron will be available for Xbox One PS4 and PC at $9.99 in North America. It will be the first DLC for Fallout 4 as the official modding tools and Wasteland Workshop comes in April and an entirely new landmass with Far Harbour in May.

Skype for Web gets more useful as it adds new features to bring it at par with the desktop apps. One can now call cellphones and landlines right from the web app. Also watching YouTube videos right from conversation is now possible. The video links are now embedded into user’s IMs along with the URL, so users no longer have to open a new tab to watch them.

Office2016PromoCode.com, a website dedicated to Microsoft products, recently announced the addition of Microsoft Office 2016 to its offerings. Microsoft Office 2016 that includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and Access, is said to make work faster, easier, and productive for all types of users.