News|Nov 17, 2016

Yes, Microsoft Just Joined the Linux Foundation

Microsoft’s commitment to open-source reached a new high Wednesday when the company announced it’s joining the Linux Foundation. The company that once sought to build a wall around its proprietary software kingdom will now join corporations like Intel, Huawei and Samsung as high-paying Platinum Level members of the foundation, according to TechCrunch. The Linux Foundation…
Read More→
news|Nov 14, 2016

Microsoft to Release Mac Version of Visual Studio

In a month of many surprises, Microsoft has one more for developers everywhere: It’s finally bringing Visual Studio to Mac. A preview version of Visual Studio for Mac will debut at this week’s Connect conference, according to a blog post the company published and later deleted. (Thanks to our friends over at Engadget for saving…
Read More→
news|Nov 8, 2016

Microsoft Open-Sources Azure Container Services Engine

Microsoft on Monday announced a number of updates to Azure Container Services that it says will make the container service more open and flexible. First up: The Kubernetes cloud orchestrator is now available in preview for Azure Container Services. This gives ACS customers a choice of orchestration technologies, with support for DC/OS, Swarm and Kubernetes.…
Read More→
news|Nov 3, 2016

Can Microsoft Beat Slack at its Own Game?

It was less than two months ago that rumors of a Microsoft competitor to Slack, the messaging app popular in tech and other creative industries, began leaking to the public. Microsoft Teams has been quick to market, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announcing Wednesday that commercial customers in 181 countries are now previewing the app.…
Read More→
news|Oct 25, 2016

Microsoft Releases Updated Cognitive Toolkit

Microsoft has released a beta version of its updated Cognitive Toolkit, the deep learning technology that its developers use to train computer systems in speech and image recognition. Available on Github under an open source license, the toolkit is the same one Microsoft researchers used to create a speech recognition system that could recognize words…
Read More→
news|Oct 20, 2016

Two New IoT Starter Kits to Take for a Spin

Some news for the Makers out there: Microsoft and its partners have updated the line of IoT starter kits based on Windows 10 IoT Core. Two new options are available to help you kick off your IoT projects. The Microsoft Internet of Things Pack for Raspberry Pi 3, from Adafruit, is an update to the…
Read More→
news|Oct 18, 2016

Microsoft Computer Can Transcribe Conversations As Well As a Human

SkyNet may be only a few steps away. Microsoft researchers say they have come up with a technology that can recognize words in a recorded conversation just as well as an actual human being would, claiming victory over a problem computer scientists have been working on for decades. The company’s Artificial Intelligence and Research division…
Read More→
News|Oct 6, 2016

Microsoft’s TechRewards Program Will End in January

Microsoft is shutting down TechRewards, its program that allows developers to earn points toward new products by completing challenges and quizzes. The company announced Thursday that all challenges have been discontinued, and members have until January 6, 2017, to redeem any points they have collected. Microsoft inherited the program, once knowns as DVLUP, when it…
Read More→
news|Sep 30, 2016

Microsoft Reorganizes, Focuses on AI

Microsoft is forming a new research group focused on artificial intelligence, the company announced Thursday. Led by Harry Shum, a former corporate VP for Bing with 20 years of Microsoft service under his belt, the 5,000-strong AI and Research Group will bring an AI emphasis to all the company’s platforms and services. It will incorporate…
Read More→
news|Sep 27, 2016

A More Secure Microsoft Edge, and Other News from Ignite 2016

In the wake of highly publicized cyberattacks on big companies, Microsoft on Monday rolled out new security features for its Edge browser. Windows Defender Application Guard, developed for the company’s enterprise customers, will use Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualization technology to isolate potential security threats. “The threat landscape has changed significantly in recent years,” reads a Microsoft…
Read More→
News|Sep 13, 2016

How to Try Microsoft HoloLens for Free

Not sure yet if you want to spring for a $3,000 HoloLens Developer Kit? If you haven’t yet gotten to try out Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, you’re in luck: The company is taking its HoloLens Roadshow to select Microsoft stores in the United States and Canada beginning this month. Pre-register online to try out a…
Read More→