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The article outlines the efforts of the winners of Microsoft Youth Spark who are stepping out of their comfort zones and are making a difference in the society in their own unique ways. As part of the initia¬tive, the global Youth-Spark program creates opportunities for 300 million youth giving entrepreneurial skills and helping them realize their potential. Gaurav Mittal, one of the winners of the initiative designed Eye-D short for eye-device is a micro¬controller and phone combination for solutions for visually challenged like guidance, bus routing, face identification and color identification etc. It’s a handheld device that assists them in their bus travels, matching their shirts with pant, read text and other things. He claims to have developed a few prototypes and received funds for a 3D printer and a Windows Phone.

Microsoft has urged Windows 8 users to upgrade to Windows 8.1 as the due date of June 13 approaches. Microsoft announced that all Windows 8 updates and patches will only be valid for those who have upgraded to the base version of Windows 8.1. Those who will still remain on Windows 8.0 and fail to upgrade on time will be left out and receive no updates and patches. The upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1 is completely free and users who have purchased a licensed version of Windows 8.0 should upgrade to Windows 8.1 at the earliest. To do so, simply hit the Windows automatic update in the control panel and download the updated version for free.

Ahmedabad-based Bitscape Infotech Pvt Ltd (BIPL) has won the prestigious Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the year Award for 2014. The award recognizes the partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions during the past year. The awards will be presented at Washington DC, USA next month where Microsoft will unfold its plans for the new financial year for the company, beginning July. Kartik Shah, CEO and Managing Director, Bitscape Infotech said, “the company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft Corp. partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions-based on Microsoft technology”. Phil Sorgen, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Corp said, “Microsoft’s success as a company depends on great partners, and Bitscape Infotech is a shining example of the kind of innovation our partner ecosystem drives year after year”.

Speaking at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Microsoft’s Nick Parker, who handles the company’s partnerships with device makers, said the new handsets could be out by the end of the year. Compared to current models, which are in the “fours, fives and sixes,” he said referring to prices between $400 and $699, the new phones would have price points in the “ones, twos and threes.”

India’s leading character entertainment company, Graphic India, announced the launch of its Graphic India app exclusively on the Windows Phone platform. In the same way that America created superheroes and Japan created anime, Graphic India is harnessing the creativity of India to launch a new wave of enduring stories and mythic heroes to captivate the imagination of audiences in India and around the world. Mr. Vineet Durani, Director, Windows Phone Business Group, Microsoft India, said, “Animation is a billion dollar industry in India and a growing number of the country’s youth are taking an interest in Indian animation characters. Therefore, we believe that the Graphic India app is a great new addition to our offerings”.

Micromax is all set to launch its first WP 8.1 handset in India. The device is expected to go official sometime next month. Also, the company will reportedly be the first in the country to offer a smartphone based on the Snapdragon 800 chipset from Qualcomm. The device will fall in the price range of Rs. 10K to Rs. 15K, further intensifying the competition in the budget smartphone segment. The handset will also compete against the many phones being offered by Microsoft itself. We expect it to come with 512MB or 1GB of RAM and a quad core Snapdragon 400 SOC.

Following the success in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, Microsoft Devices has partnered with WWF-India to launch the 2014 edition of “Create to Inspire” Fellowship. The program provides a platform to young people to use their creative arts to build innovative social action projects under the guidance of established mentors from various fields of art. Speaking at the launch, P. Balaji, Managing Director, Nokia India, said “We are very happy to launch the second edition in Delhi, a city that has long been known for its rich culture and ethnicity. With all the creative inspiration the program aims to bring among the youth, we are looking forward to some great talent from this culturally rich city.”

It’s only the second day at Computex 2014 and Microsoft unleashes two never-heard-before Windows devices as part of its keynote presentation. Microsoft’s VP of OEM partners Nick Parker showcased two innovative devices from the house of HP and Toshiba called Pro X2 612, a 2-in-1 device and 7-inch tablet respectively. e HP Pro X2 612 is a 2-in-1 device “designed from the ground up for business”. It has full HD cameras at the rear and front. It comes with a stylus using the Wacom digitiser, and enterprise security built-in. The second device under the brand of Toshiba is a 7-inch tablet that apparently sports “champagne gold” finish.

Priced at Rs. 3, 329 Microsoft Devices announced the launch of Nokia 225, a device which according to the company is a part of its initiative to allow internet access to all the mobile phone users across the country. The Nokia 225 allows internet access through the cloud-powered Nokia Xpress Browser. Sari Harju, Head of mobile phones, Nokia India Sales said, “Offering a rich media experience and simple functionality combined with Nokia trust and quality, the Nokia 225 enables us to bring the affordable mobile phone experience to consumers across the spectrum. It is a true testimony of our commitment to connect the next billion to the internet”.