Recent News

Taking the spirit of openness forward, Microsoft has announced that its Project Orleans cloud computing web framework will be open-sourced. The framework is been extensively used in Azure cloud, and is also known for powering Halo 4, the popular first-person shooter video game. “Orleans gives developers a virtual ‘actor space’ analogous to virtual memory, which allows them to invoke any actor in the system, whether or not it is present in memory,” Microsoft said in a blog post.

Microsoft has launched its first 4G-enabled smartphone in India, the Lumia 638, for Rs. 8,299. The phone has a 4.5-inch FWVGA display with a pixel density of 221 ppi, and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, with 1GB RAM. The phone runs the Windows Phone 8.1 OS, and makes use of on-screen Windows Phone software buttons.

Covacsis Technologies has developed an Intelligent Plant Framework (IPF) solution using Microsoft SQL Server 2014 that brings Internet of Things to the shop floor in process and discrete manufacturing. Tyler Bryson, General Manager, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft India, said, “SQL Server 2014 is fast becoming the database of choice for SMBs as well as large enterprises for its large data-handling capability and in-memory processing to deliver real-time insights.”

Skype shortly after introduced its real-time Translator Preview programme, it announced a limited time offer that gives its users in India the ability to call any landline or mobile number in the US or Canada free of cost. The offer is valid for both new and existing Skype users until March 1, 2015.

Lenovo has launched the ThinkPad 8 tablet for Indian professionals. The Windows 8 tablet is equipped with a full-HD screen, Quick Photo Capture combined with four times faster graphics. This 8.3-inch tablet offers multimode features like a full Windows 8 ecosystem, 2MP front-facing webcam for crystal-clear video conferencing, supported by dual digital array microphones.

Microsoft has unveiled a new application, “Gestures Beta”, for Lumia Windows Phone allowing users to operate the phone without touching the screen, but by performing a few simple gestures instead. Microsoft said some of the features of the app would be limited to Lumia 630, Lumia 635, and Lumia 530.

Microsoft has released the first public preview of its all-new Azure Active Directory Connect tool for beta testers. The updated Azure Active Directory Connect preview is simpler and faster than the Azure AD Connect beta release. It has all the necessary tools to connect Windows Server AD and Azure AD within few minutes.

Corporate lobbyists, news organizations and academics joined forces with Microsoft Corp in the software company’s legal battle with the US government over access to customer data stored overseas. Technology companies including and AT&T Inc and even rival Apple also filed briefs supporting Microsoft’s bid to fend off a government search warrant for emails at a data center in Ireland. Microsoft began fighting the warrant in 2013, saying US prosecutors were overreaching by demanding data held in a foreign country without the assistance of local authorities.

Microsoft has officially opened a store to sell its range of hardware and software products online in India via e-commerce website Amazon. The Microsoft Brand Store on Amazon.in has product categories varying from Windows, Windows Phone, laptops & tablets, to Office, accessories and Xbox. In a statement, Microsoft said, “Consumers buying Microsoft products at the Microsoft Brand Store on Amazon.in would enjoy a number of benefits, including exclusive products across various Microsoft product categories. Consumers will also have access to unique bundles available only at the Microsoft Brand Store.”

Ravi Narayan, Director of Microsoft Ventures in India, is excited about the startup activity in India. For Microsoft Ventures, in Bangalore, there have been 63 startups that have participated in the platform over the last two years and the number is only increasing with the fifth batch graduating in November in 2014. Of the five batches, 67 per cent have raised money, the average being $575,000, and all of them have had access to over 150 mentors.