In the News

Microsoft mandated that the feedback functionality built into the beta Windows 10 preview update be switched on. Gabriel Aul, Engineering General Manager, Operating Systems, Microsoft wrote, “Getting feedback is an integral part of the Windows Insider Program. The answers to these questions [are] used by our engineering teams to understand how Windows Insiders feel about a particular experience or a particular build. Starting with Build 14271 and newer, the frequency in which Windows will ask for your feedback will be locked to ‘Automatically (Recommended)’ in the Settings app and managed by the Windows Insider Program.”

Microsoft released a Windows 10 Mobile build for Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL. The Redmond company announced that Alcatel’s handset has become the first handset after Xiaomi’s Mi 4 and select Lumia handsets to support Windows 10 Mobile builds. It appears, the company plans to make Windows 10 Mobile builds for a number of other handsets including OnePlus 2, and Xiaomi’s recently launched Mi 5.

Microsoft Canada and six inspiring storytellers will collaborate to deliver 24 Acts of Empowerment nationwide on February 29 this year. The company launched the six-part storyteller series spotlighting real Canadians whose courage and passion empowers them to do more each day using technology through the hashtag #My24Hrs. Marc Seaman, Vice President, Education, Microsoft Canada said, “Inspired by the series, these 24 Acts of Empowerment are wide reaching and involve far more than 24 people. These remarkable storytellers took us on a journey to see how they achieve more, and now with their help, we hope to inspire Canadians to do the same.”

Syncplicity, the global leader of the hybrid enterprise file sync and share market, announced a universal Microsoft Outlook add-in for Microsoft Office 365. The feature will empower users to seamlessly share files from Outlook regardless of platform or device. The new Outlook add-in fits into enterprise user workflows and combines the value of Syncplicity file sharing real-time back-up. Rob Howard, Director, Office 365 Ecosystem, Microsoft said, “We are pleased to have Syncplicity join the Cloud Storage Partner Program. Together, we are making it easier for joint users to work with Office documents no matter where they’re stored.”

Microsoft has signed a deal to acquire software-development tool builder Xamarin. This is the latest effort of the company to gain a bigger footprint on mobile devices built by other companies. Xamarin, based in San Francisco, counts Alaska Airlines and Coca-Cola Bottling among its more than 15,000 customers, wrote Scott Guthrie, Cloud and Enterprise division Chief, Microsoft in a blog post. Though terms were not disclosed, The Wall Street Journal reported that it was between $400 million and $500 million.

Crux Creative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a security research based organization, successfully hosted one of the most focused Cyber Security conferences, CyCron on February 24, 2016 at Hotel Pullman, New Delhi. This strategic thought leadership platform brought together more than 150 highly coveted cybersecurity experts, like Indian Smart Grid Forum, Petrofed, Data Security Council of India (a NASSCOM Initiative) and Microsoft. They addressed challenges in the field and the way forward. Mr. Manish Tiwari, CISO, Microsoft shared, “That people, process and technology are important to protect critical data. Integrity of data is important. Confidentiality of data should not be compromised.” He also highlighted certain initiatives being taken by the government towards cybersecurity which includes NCCC steered by CERT- IN, Botnet Removal Centre etc.

Luminous Power Technologies (Luminous) announced the launch of Connected Solar Inverter, an inverter powered by the iQu Internet of Things (IOT) platform from iBot Control Systems. Built on Microsoft’s Azure Hyperscale cloud, the battery health and power savings of the inverter would be actively monitored by a set of mobile and web apps. These would also run predictive maintenance enabling greater energy savings. The iQu IOT platform offers a comprehensive top-of-the-class platform for management of connected devices, apps, inter-linkages and data.

Microsoft has officially revealed its upcoming Games with Gold offerings for March 2016. These are free games that will be available for Xbox Live Gold subscribers and thanks to Xbox 360 backwards compatibility, Xbox One players will have twice the number to choose from. The games for March include Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments (available on March 1st to 31) and Lords of the Fallen (available from March 16th to April 15th) on Xbox One.

Microsoft has come up with a solution to get rid of all the switching between apps, especially when one is trying to share information with someone via mail or text message. The new Android app, Hub Keyboard, released through the Microsoft Garage keeps user in conversation, bringing in relevant information to help complete common tasks. “All these different apps on a smartphone, they have to conform to rules of a keyboard and that got me thinking about the project as an interesting idea I wanted to explore more. We’re giving users a wider gamut of tools,” says Steve Won, a senior designer on the Office team who came up with the idea for the app about a year ago. With Hub Keyboard, one can copy and paste recent items, easily search and share documents, share contact information, and instantly translate parts of messages.

Microsoft’s Next, a customized lock screen app for Android devices, allows more flexibility with what shows up on the phone. The update for this stock lock screen alternative enables it to work with phone’s fingerprint unlock feature and perform other wonders with existing applications. Microsoft says users can also choose the wallpapers based on location that suits their work or home mood. The app will assist the user on how to enable all these features as the user needs to turn off the default lock screen in order to not unlock the phone twice.