The 2015 BUILD Conference kicked off today, and today’s keynote was packed full of TONS of announcements and new information. Some of these things are going to be released sometime this year, but some of it has also been released to be available today! Even though you can watch the Build 2015 Day 1 Keynote anytime online, I thought I’d compress it down to the points I think are the most significant.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a full list of everything announced. Honestly, you have to watch the keynote to get everything.
Visual Studio Code for OSX / Linux / Windows
This is exactly what it looks like, a lite version of Visual Studio that runs on ANY operating system you want. As of today, Visual Studio isn’t only on Windows anymore.
Visual Studio Code can be downloaded today, here: http://code.visualstudio.com
Windows Holographic Platform
The Windows Holographic Platform is the platform behind the hardware that is HoloLens; Microsoft’s Augmented Reality glasses/headset. This is some super innovative technology that has the potential to fundamentally transform the way we use computers. The HoloLens was first announced a few months back, but today Microsoft shed a little more light on the technology surrounding it:
- HoloLens applications are built as Universal Windows Apps and distributed through the Windows Store
- HoloLens is stand alone and doesn’t require a phone or PC to use
- Any Universal Windows App can be placed / overlaid on your wall, refrigerator, or what ever you want within your space
Universal Windows Apps = 1 Platform & 1 Binary
Universal Windows App will allow for developers to build a single application and distribute that application as a single binary that will run on any device that runs Windows 10; including: phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, Xbox, HoloLens and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Universal Apps built with Web, .NET, Win32, Java, C++ or Objective-C
This one is a handful of awesome! The tooling for building Universal Windows Apps will support the ability to write Universal Windows Apps with .NET, Win32, C++, Java, Objective-C and web technologies (html/javascript). You’ll be able to share code between Android and/or iOS with your Universal Windows Apps!
Web Apps as Universal Windows Apps
Web apps will be able to be registered in the Windows Store so that they run on Windows 10 as if they are a native Universal Windows App.
Android App Support
Windows 10 will have a Android based sub-system that will allow for Android apps to be packaged up and distributes through the Windows Store. This is to make it extremely simple to take an existing Android app or Android Java code and reuse it to target the Windows 10 Platform.
One thing to note about the Android sub-system is that it will run the apps within a sandboxed environment, so the system can be kept safe and secure.
Windows Store for Business
The Windows Store will be able to be customized by companies and schools who wish to customize the apps listed.
Windows Phone as Desktop Replacement
Functionality was announced with a demo of using a Windows 10 Phone as a desktop computer by connecting an HDMI monitor/tv with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Universal Windows Apps run on the phone as normal, but when you connect a monitor/keyboard/mouse you can use the apps as if you’re on a desktop computer.
Microsoft Edge Browser
The Microsoft Edge Browser was announced as the official name of the new web browser from Microsoft that was formerly known as Project Spartan. This is a browser that is “built for doing” by integrating built-in note taking and sharing. The Edge browser will also include support for Browser Extensions built with standards based JavaScript and HTML.
New Azure SQL Database Features
There are a few new features being introduced to Azure SQL Databases:
- Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
- Full text search
- Elastic Database Pool
- Azure SQL Data Warehouse
More!!
This was a very exciting day to kick start a very exciting week for Microsoft and the Windows platform! There is so much more in the Build 2015 Day 1 Keynote than I could list here. If you’re interested, I encourage you to go watch/listen to the full keynote over on Channel 9.
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2015/KEY01
Image Credits: The images above were taken from screenshots of the keynote video.
