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Microsoft Build keynote

CEO Satya Nadella and other Microsoft execs will give the keynote address on the first day of Microsoft Build. We expect new versions of Windows and Windows Phone and perhaps even some new hardware.

  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:12:42 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:12:53 PM
    "That's why we believe that Windows Phone is the right choice for business." And with that Nick is off and Joe is back.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:13:03 PM
    We're going to get a whirlwind tour of new features "Just to make you smile."
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:13:26 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:13:39 PM
    We're in the Store now, which is "all about apps." There's a new page showing featured apps. Groups and tile sizes can be changed. You can then pan left and right.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:13:55 PM
    "Promoting personalized suggestions works great for getting users to download apps, so we've put the 'For You' area just to the left of the featured area."
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:13:57 PM
    Belfiore talking about the new interface with apps. As much progress as Microsoft has made, the lack of apps is still one of the bigger weakness for the company.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:14:06 PM
    Quick links -- top 10 lists, etc. -- are just to the side from there.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:14:15 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:14:18 PM
    "We're excited that this store experience will get more engagement and more users using apps."
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:14:27 PM
    Belfiore says the new store will increase engagement. He's talking straight to the developers here.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:14:41 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:15:00 PM
    There's a new calendar too, which Joe is opening. Very similar presentation to before. But, now you can swipe left or right to go to the next or previous day -- scattered applause in the audience.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:15:08 PM
    There's a week view too, and if you tap on a day it expands to show you what's going on.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:15:13 PM
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:15:17 PM
    While iOS and Android have more users, it is tough to stand out with so many apps in the market. A platform like Windows Phone gives you a chance to jump up to the top of the rankings with fewer competitors. At least, that's the pitch from Microsoft.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:15:30 PM
    "This new version of calendar we have re-implemented using the public third-party developer API only." -- So, others can write an app just as good as this, which is impressive.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:16:13 PM
    Joe is talking performance improvements now. There's a new feature called Wi-Fi Sense, similar to the other Sense features already there.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:16:25 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:16:51 PM
    This "helps users take great advantage of Wi-Fi networks." It will suggest "great" networks in your area. Joe's saying it'll automatically accept terms of use and even sign you in if necessary! This is nice.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:16:52 PM
    Wi-Fi Sense has a list of "good" Wi-Fi networks, and can automatically connect to free Wi-Fi networks when in range, and automatically accept terms of use. Can provide name and email address.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:17:08 PM
    Hmm...again, privacy experts would be slightly concerned...
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:17:52 PM
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:18:46 PM
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:19:03 PM
    So Belfiore's sister calls, and there's a little Cortana reminder about her puppy in the corner.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:19:12 PM
    Ahh, we're getting a demo of the reminder functionality from before, as Joe's sister has conveniently called. There's a little popup about the puppy reminder created earlier.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:19:19 PM
    Joe is saying that Wi-Fi Sense can also share your Wi-Fi at home, creating a secure sub-network that friends can use without having full access to your network. "This helps everyone take advantage of Wi-Fi networks wherever they are." No demo of how that works, but we're intrigued.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:19:19 PM
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:19:36 PM
    There's an embedded Skype button to get you to a video call easily.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:20:16 PM
    Ok, we're going to hear Belfiore's favorite other new feature.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:20:22 PM
    Okay, one more feature Joe's going to talk about. (Though there are apparently many more to be discovered.) This is enhancements in the keyboard.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:21:04 PM
    I could use any improvements to the virtual keyboard. I'm constantly annoyed by mine.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:21:11 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:21:16 PM
    Joe's going to type as fast as he can into the new keyboard, swiping his finger. Unfortunately not working perfectly. "Being IV stage at build is simultaneously" -- he meant "on" One mistake, not bad.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:21:32 PM
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:21:35 PM
    Basically, it's Swype on the Windows Phone keyboard.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:21:46 PM
    But Swype is awesome, so this will be a feature that people can appreciate.
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:21:51 PM
    "Hoards of occasionally cynical techies can be intimidating." Aww now, Joe, we're very warm and welcoming.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:21:54 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:22:16 PM
    "We thought our keyboard was so good that we should go for the Guinness Book of World Records."
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:22:37 PM
    The Samsung GS 4 was the previous record. We're seeing a video now being typed in ridiculously quickly. Swyped in, that is.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:22:52 PM
    A video shows of a guy using Windows Phone's keyboard to swipe through a sentence, and he's lightning quick.
  • Roger Cheng 4/2/2014 4:22:59 PM
    Like, amazingly quick.
  • James Martin 4/2/2014 4:23:06 PM
  • Tim Stevens 4/2/2014 4:23:07 PM
    17 seconds is a new record, world record for fastest typing on a smartphone!
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