Build 2016 is happening on March 30th through April 1st. It’s the annual event Microsoft hosts in San Francisco to unveil its products’ plans for the rest of the year.
During the new developer conference, the software giant is expected to talk in more details about Windows 10 Redstone, the future of the Universal app platform, HoloLens, cloud services, and a lot more with the objective of attracting developers to build on the platform.
This year the Build conference kick off on Wednesday at 11:30AM ET / 8:30AM PT. If you cannot attend, Microsoft has a front row sit for everyone, as it will be streaming all the keynotes through its Build website. (You can also tune on Channel9 to watch the Day 1 keynote.)
Similar to previous years, Microsoft is making available the Build app, which is a must have for anyone attending the event to help you manage your personal agenda, view sessions details, submit feedback, access interactive venue and show floor maps. The app is available for iOS and Android, and for Build 2016, the company is also releasing an Universal app for Windows 10 for PC and Mobile.
Here’s what to expect from Microsoft on Build 2016:
Windows 10
Microsoft has been proactively updating Windows 10 since it first launched back in July. However, the operating system is an ongoing project, as such we’re going to hear more details on the next major update. While through the Insider program the company has been unveiling a number of details on some of the new features, we’re hoping to see more changes coming to the operating system like new interactive Live Tiles and improvement on notifications.
We might also see more details about upcoming updates for Cortana across platforms, new Skype Universal app for Windows 10, and we might also get more information on high profile apps coming to the platform and a few other additions.
Windows Phone
Although Microsoft has a few new phones, including the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, and some other companies like HP and Alcatel are jumping into Windows 10 Mobile, the phone platform is still not doing well. During the Build conference there is a chance of Microsoft may shed some light on what the future holds for its mobile platform.
HoloLens
HoloLens is also expected to be part of the event. On March 30th, Microsoft starts shipping the HoloLens development kit to developers, so we’re hoping the company will share more information about new apps and games for its augmented reality headset.
Xbox
The software giant has been working on bringing Windows 10 apps to Xbox for quite sometime, and it’s a good time for Microsoft to talk about the new apps, and how it will bring together the Xbox Store and Windows Store. The company is also expected to brief developers on how to create new games and apps that work on PC and Xbox One.
Microsoft has already announced that will bring Windows 10 apps to Xbox One later this summer, so there is a good chance that we’ll see the apps and games that will initially be available on the gaming platform.
Azure
We’re expecting Microsoft to talk about the future of Azure and how developers can leverage the Microsoft cloud to build new apps. As such, it’s likely we’ll be getting more information on improvements coming to the different tools and cloud services.
One more thing
Big surprises are also expected at Build 2016, as some Microsoft employees has been teasing big changes are coming to Windows 10. For example, on a Tweet that was soon deleted, Microsoft’s Rich Turner said that people will “freak out” when they see the new features. Scott Henselman also from Microsoft tweeted that the new features will “change everything”. While nothing is yet clear, we’ll have to stay tuned and see what Microsoft has in store that will blow our minds off.
As always, during the developer conference there will be many technical sessions, which you will be able to stream or watch live at the Microsoft’s Channel9 website.
