The Verge: Microsoft publishes sci-fi anthology inspired by quantum computing and Skype

Earlier this year, Microsoft invited a group of science fiction writers into its research department, giving them unfettered access to its people and resources with the purpose of inspiring a collection of short stories. That collection — titled Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Stories Inspired by Microsoft — is now out, featuring stories from nine award-winning authors on topics from translation to teleportation.

InformationWeek: Satya Nadella talks security, Dynamics AX updated: Microsoft roundup

Enterprise customers will also be interested in the next generation of Dynamics AX, which has been redesigned for cloud and integrated with machine learning and Power BI capabilities. The flagship ERP software, now available for public preview, has also undergone a user experience overhaul to emphasize productivity. Microsoft also delivered its fourth technical preview for Windows Server 2016, which now includes Hyper-V container support.

CIO: Windows 10 Mobile review – Next-gen Windows Phones focus on unique features to double down on productivity

With its new smartphone OS, Microsoft has doubled down on the productivity message, crafting a utilitarian OS with occasional flashes of magic—most notably its new PC-like Continuum feature. Windows 10 ties together phones, PCs, and tablets far more seamlessly than, say, the Apple MacBook and iOS. Own a PC and a Windows phone, Microsoft seems to say, and you’ll be far more productive than if you owned any other platform.

Times of India: Pantel launches Penta T-Pad WS802X Windows tablet, priced at Rs 5,499

Pantel Technologies has launched a Windows 10 tablet called Penta T-Pad WS802X. The tablet launched exclusively in partnership with Intel and Microsoft is priced at Rs 5,499.Penta T-Pad WS802X has an 8-inch (1280x800p) IPS display and is powered by 1.3GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor and 1GB RAM. The tablet comes with 16GB of internal storage and can support microSD card of up to 64GB.

ET CIO: Microsoft is moving closer to a desktop PC in your pocket

Microsoft could be about to bring desktop Windows apps (known as Win32 programmes) to Windows 10 Mobile phones running in Continuum mode, according to Kevin Gallo, vice president of the Windows developer platform. CEO Satya Nadella has publicly stated that Continuum is aimed at countries that are “smartphone only,” replacing the need for a PC with a portable device that can be taken anywhere and do things beyond work.

Bloomberg: Microsoft and HP expand deal to sell business products

Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are broadening their partnership to sell business applications and storage tools. The companies said that they would jointly build industry-specific business applications for Windows 10, Microsoft’s new operating system. They also announced a slate of new business information technology advisory services to sell both companies’ suite of business tools to potential clients.

Information Week: Microsoft Dynamics AX upgrade integrates Power BI, machine learning

Microsoft is releasing the next generation of its Dynamics AX flagship ERP software, which has been upgraded to reflect both Redmond’s cloud-first mentality and new capabilities in Azure Machine Learning and Power BI. The next generation of Microsoft’s Dynamics AX, redesigned for cloud and upgraded with Power BI, Azure Machine Learning, and Cortana, is available for public preview.

NDTV: Microsoft announces dates of Xbox Digital Black Friday Deals for India

The company has confirmed that India’s Xbox One digital Black Friday Deals will go live from Friday. “India will get the Black Friday sale starting November 20, 2015 on Xbox Live. Initially open to Xbox Live Gold members only and starting coming Tuesday open to all,” a Microsoft representative said. As for what games to expect? A short teaser video on the site showed off heavy hitters like Assassin’s Creed, Batman: Arkham Knight, Gears of War, and The Witcher 3.

NDTV: Skype for Android now lets you save video messages, mute notifications

Microsoft has updated Skype’s Android client to add a handful of features that many users are likely to find handy. The instant messaging and video chat client from the company now lets users save video messages among other things. The Skype v6.11 for Android now allows users to save video messages. A user will be able to tap on a video message or a recording and save it to their device’s photo gallery. It’s a handy feature that many users have requested in the past.

ETCIO: Apps are going to get a lot smarter with help from Microsoft Office

Microsoft officially released the Microsoft Graph, a nerdy solution that opens the doors wide for developers to do a lot more with Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Graph, first announced in beta back in April, is a set of APIs that blow open the Microsoft Office 365 productivity cloud to developers, letting them build apps that take a user’s data and put it to use in cool, new ways.