Microsoft wants third-party apps for its fitness tracker
Microsoft Band users might get to enjoy a lot more third-party apps in the near future. Redmond has released the full Band SDK, giving developers power to create fully functional apps for the fitness tracker. The company already launched a preview version back in February, which allowed devs to create tiles that send glanceable notifications to the wearable. However, that only gave them access to sensors and other basic features. According to the general manager of Microsoft’s personal devices division, Zulfi Alam, the newer SDK lets developers take advantage of all the device’s features/functions and comes with the ability to:
- Build apps that support Windows.
- Create own custom layouts for pages on third-party tiles using icons, text, buttons, and barcodes for payment options.
- Receive events and button-click callbacks from the Microsoft Band to the phone app. If you press a button on a page inside your tile, the app will know which button was pressed.
- Connect to the Band from background tasks.
- Tap into calorie subscription from the Microsoft Band.
Since the Band syncs with Windows, Apple and Android devices, Microsoft uploaded separate versions for all three platforms. Hopefully, developers design their applications for all three, so no user gets left behind.
Today we release the #MicrosoftBand SDK. Developers, start creating third party tiles now: http://t.co/5t9H9XMHD9 pic.twitter.com/yQ6FqrZcoZ
– Microsoft Band (@microsoftband) April 30, 2015
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft, Microsoft Conversations
Our first close look at Microsoft’s HoloLens
It’s only been a few months since Microsoft introduced the augmented reality HoloLens headset, and now we’ve finally got a close look at the unit to show you. We don’t have much to show other than these pictures at the moment — we couldn’t take pictures of the early dev unit we tried on back in January — but check back for more details shortly.
Microsoft can guess your age using facial recognition
Since we’re right smack in the middle of Microsoft’s BUILD dev conference, the company’s showing off one of it’s Azure APIs with a site you can put to the test. How-Old.net allows you to upload a picture before the site recognizes faces and analyzes them to determine their age. No, I’m not 41… I’m 31, and that picture is from over two years ago. Other folks here at Engadget received results closer to their real age, but it made us wonder: why not use a web cam to snap a picture under current conditions. You know, after I’ve had a chance to apply my daily dose of wrinkle remover. Perhaps that option on the way.
The site is powered by Microsoft Azure’s Face APIs that not only recognize features and predict both gender and age. They can also group faces and determine if someone in multiple pictures is the same person. If you’ll recall, Windows 10 will use facial recognition as a log-in option, and the tools that this Azure API offers would certainly come in handy for organizing that personal photo album — expanding features already available in OneDrive.
– W.E.B.B.I.E DuBois (@fivefifths) April 30, 2015
Survey says!…………………. [X] RT @Im_Gods_Child: @DragonflyJonez BRUH pic.twitter.com/oG4Rn5FDSw
– Larry Beyince (@DragonflyJonez) April 30, 2015
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft
Source: How Old Robot
Windows 10 ‘on track’ for summer on PCs, other platforms come later
We still don’t have an official release date for Windows 10, but Microsoft maintains it’s on track for release this summer. That’s according to Joe Belfiore, its corporate vice president of operating systems, who spoke to media earlier today. You’ll have to wait a bit longer to get Windows 10 on your phone and Xbox, though. Belfiore noted that bringing the new OS to PCs is Microsoft’s main focus at the moment, but we’ll likely see it hit those other platforms in the fall. He also included HoloLens among his list of other Windows 10 platforms, which could be a hint that we’ll actually see it this fall. Or maybe that’s just very wishful thinking.
Windows 10 also won’t have all of the features we’ve heard about when it finally hits PCs, Belfiore added. For example, we likely won’t be seeing any Win32 desktop apps in the Windows Store at launch. While slightly disappointing, that’s something we’ll probably have to get used to. Microsoft is playing with the notion of “Windows as a service,” which means it’s never quite done. Sure, that’s not very different from how OS updates have worked in the past, but now it seems Microsoft is being a lot more flexible about how it’s building Windows.
“Our intent is to make this [Windows 10] the largest single developer platform that developers can target,” Belfiore said. So it’s no wonder Microsoft laid out an ambitious goal of bringing Windows 10 to a billion devices in the next few years.
[Photo credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson]
Windows 10 will be able to run Android and iOS apps
Microsoft might finally be throwing in the towel, but in a smart way. The app scene for Windows has continued to be dismal at best. With roughly 90% of the market cornered by Android and iOS, developers see no need to put their resources into Windows until it shows significant growth.
Microsoft knows this and that is why they have announced something pretty significant with Windows 10. They released two development kits which will allow developers to port their apps and games to Windows universal apps. Android developers will be able to use Java and C++ code on Windows 10 and iOS developers will use their existing Objective C code.
Developers won’t need to rebuild their apps, but it won’t be as simple as pushing a button. On the Android side, developers will have to replace Google APIs with Microsoft APIs. The endgame is that once an app is ported (with little changes), it can be used with Cortana, Xbox Live, Holograms, Live Tiles, and more.
Originally, the plan was to only support iOS, but Microsoft wanted to make sure everyone on the planet is covered. By including both operating systems, they have 90% of the developers covered. I guess the big question will be if more iOS or Android developers will jump on this, and which OS will be easier to convert?
Are you more likely to buy a Windows phone with this news?
source: TheVerge
Come comment on this article: Windows 10 will be able to run Android and iOS apps
Windows 10 design lead explains what’s changed (and what hasn’t)
Albert Shum, the design team lead for Microsoft’s OS team, has outlined through some of the decisions made in its new OS. He reiterates that – especially now Windows 10 is out in the open – the work here isn’t yet done, with the blog post focusing on where the team’s received the most.. “feedback”, including the new menu options found on mobile iterations.
According to Shum, Windows 10’s new “hamburger” menu (dropping down from the top left), works well as a “home” menu for an app, but is apparently less useful where there’s no point in it being there. The design team’s intent was to ensure universal apps, as well as an adaptive user experience which will allow a certain degree of free: swipe controls on mobile, but a better focus on keyboard shortcuts and mouse control on PC iterations.
Long-established design decisions (at least in Windows), like the location of Internet Explorer Edge’s address bar, remain the subject of experimentation. The team is apparently exploring design options here too, but for now, the address bar still resides at the top of the browser. And if you thought that the mobile iterations of Win10 were looking a little, well, rough around the edges, the team lead added that “what you’re seeing today are apps only partially-adapted for the phone UI that we intend to ship when [it’s] finished.”
It gets a little bit more complicated when the operating system’s mobile and PC iterations go in different direction. While switching between tasks on PC-based Windows has typically left to right, with mobile it’s the opposite. Is Microsoft going to over-rule one standard design practice for another? Maybe. “We want to have a good understanding of how tough it is for phone users to relearn before we make a final call.” Given that Windows PCs outnumber Windows Phones, it may be an easier call than you’d think.
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Get your Windows 10 preview for Raspberry Pi 2 while it’s hot
Day one of Microsoft’s Build 2015 conference is in the books, but that doesn’t mean the news has stopped. The Windows 10 IoT Core Insider developer preview (phew!) has launched for small devices including the Raspberry Pi 2. Redmond admits that it’s still pretty rough around the edges, but it’s hoping that the maker community can provide feedback for how the platform’s turning out along the road to a full release. What’s more, the software giant is partnering with Arduino for a series of “Arduino Certified” products to bring the ubiquitous DIY boards into the Windows family and take advantage of all that the software has to offer. For example, cloud computing, a familiar user interface, image processing and a ton more. It follows the theme of bringing everything under one roof that Nadella and Co. have been so vocal about lately, and should hopefully help tinkerers develop some pretty powerful stuff in their garage.
The Windows IoT shell is a Universal app like any other on Win10. That’s all your RPi will do 😀 pic.twitter.com/GwVkUxUCPA
– Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) April 30, 2015
This is what your Raspberry Pi 2 running Windows 10 will boot up to (you can run the x86 version on your desktop): pic.twitter.com/td1qonbdhX
– Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) April 30, 2015
Filed under: Desktops, Microsoft
Source: Windows Blog, Steve Troughton-Smith (Twitter) (1), (2)
HoloLens promo video gives a glimpse of early prototypes
During Microsoft’s Build 2015 event earlier today it displayed a “Closer look at the hardware” promo video for its HoloLens AR headset. It’s the normal fluff and info we’re expecting about augmented reality, but as RoadtoVR points out, there are a few brief glimpses at earlier versions of the headset in there too, plus a look at the current unit blown apart so you can see what’s inside. They’re similar to the Google Glass prototypes we saw during its run up to the Explorer model, and give us an idea of how hard it is to shove all that hardware into something that might fit on a human face. Of course, it doesn’t bring us immediately closer to Windows Holographic experiences in real life, but until we get our hands on one just appreciating the headset’s history and technology will have to do.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/AaTyeDtht-8?rel=0
Filed under: Wearables, Microsoft
Via: RoadtoVR
Source: Microsoft HoloLens (YouTube)
Daily Roundup: Windows 10 plans, Apple Watch issues and more!
In today’s edition of the Daily Roundup, Microsoft kicked off its annual Build developer conference by showing off some of the tools developers can use to get their Windows 10 apps up and running. We also learned the official name for the company’s Project Spartan browser and witnessed some of the HoloLens headset’s new tricks. One tidbit we didn’t learn, however, was a release date for Windows 10. Of course, Microsoft wasn’t the only company making headlines today. Hulu snagged streaming rights for Seinfeld and some Apple Watch users are discovering dark tattoos can mess with the device’s heart rate sensor.
Microsoft invites Android and iOS apps to join Windows 10
Today was the start of Microsoft’s annual Build conference and the company unleashed a slew of new details for the future of its cloud services, Office suite and, perhaps most notably, upcoming Windows 10 operating system. One of the biggest reveals was that the Redmond giant is making it easier than ever for Android and iOS developers to port their apps over to Windows 10. For more from today’s Build keynote, click here.
Windows 10’s web browser is called Microsoft Edge
Another notable tidbit from today’s keynote was the announcement of Project Spartan‘s official name. Up until this point, Microsoft’s upcoming Internet Explorer replacement had been discussed under its temporary, Halo-inspired codename. Today, though, we know what we’ll be calling it when Windows 10 launches: Microsoft Edge. The company also showcased a video highlighting Edge’s minimalist look, annotation features and slick tabbed interface.
Hillary Clinton wants all police to wear body cameras
Law enforcement accountability has been in the news a lot of late, so it’s no surprise to see presidential hopefuls discuss the matter as we head toward next year’s election. Candidate Hillary Clinton used a speech today to call for every police department in the US to issue body cameras to officers in an effort to improve both accountability and transparency.
Hulu’s the exclusive online home of ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Fear the Walking Dead’
What’s the deal with watching Seinfeld online? Well, Hulu provided the answer today, announcing it had secured exclusive streaming rights for the popular sitcom. While it wouldn’t discuss exact numbers, rumors suggest the company may have paid as much as $1 million per episode for the show. Hulu also shared several other content announcements, but the show about nothing was clearly the biggest news.
Dark tattoos can throw off Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor
Various versions of the Apple Watch have been slowly reaching consumers’ hands and wrists, but some early adopters are apparently running into a few issues with some of the wearable’s features. iMore looked into the matter and found that those with dark tattoos on their wrists (especially those with solid colors) may have trouble reliably using the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor. If you haven’t ordered one already, it might be a good idea to try one on in person to make sure all its features work on your particular wrist.
Your Apple Watch is late because of bad haptic feedback parts
Of course, if you already ordered and Apple Watch and are wondering what’s taking so long to get it to your doorstep, The Wall Street Journal might have an idea. According to the paper’s sources, Apple ran into issues with parts related to the Watch’s Taptic Engine, the vibrating unit that provides input feedback. As a result, a supplier switch may be to blame for the long waits some consumers are experiencing.
You can buy your own smell-o-vision VR headset, if you wanna
If revamped PC operating systems and fancy wearables aren’t exciting enough for you, perhaps the promise of actual smell-o-vision will do the trick. FeelReal is taking to Kickstarter to fund its virtual reality attachment, which can pump air, water and a variety of scents right into your face to amp up the immersion factor. The company expects dev units to be available in the summer, with a consumer version to follow later in the year.
[Image credits: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan (Hillary Clinton); Michael Lovell @ YouTube (Watch tattoos); iFixit (Taptic Engine); FeelReal (VR headset)]
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops, Peripherals, Wearables, Internet, Software, Apple, Microsoft
New Windows 10 preview comes with Aero Glass and an upgraded Cortana
In addition to showing off holographic apps and revealing the name of its post-IE browser, Microsoft has also released its latest Windows 10 preview build for PCs today. The build (now called “Insider Preview” instead of “Technical Preview”) introduces quite a lengthy list of new and experimental features, including Windows 7’s Aero Glass design. Apparently, a lot of preview users asked Redmond to bring Aero Glass black, since company dropped the feature from Windows 8. To test it out, half of those installing the new build will see their Start menu and taskbar in normal transparency, while half will see theirs with a frosted glass effect.
Cortana gets an upgrade, as well — she not only gets a “visual refresh,” but also takes over as soon as you start typing to search for an app within the Start menu. The virtual assistant can also answer a bunch of new questions, including ones about time zones, weather, flight status, unit conversions, so on and so forth, thanks to Bing Instant Answers.
Continuum, which will soon arrive on smartphones, gets a simplified taskbar on desktop, along with an adjustable divider between two windows. Finally, the build boasts a fresh batch of system sounds, better multi-tasking experience, upgraded Music and Video Preview apps and an improved Windows Store. You can read more about the build on Microsoft’s official blog and download it from the company’s website, so long as you sign up to become Windows Insider.
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Microsoft
Source: Windows
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