For the last couple years it has been a tradition that I capture a stream of consciousness as I watch the big Microsoft keynote announcements at Build, PDC, TechEd North America. I enjoy doing it so that my work colleagues are able to catch up on the news as soon as they wake up in Australia, and for anyone else that wants an overview of the keynote without needing to dedicate hours watching it.

As I am live blogging it, the post is a stream of text and screen captures as they happened in real time. I have added additional links and a summary below as the highlights:

Highlights

Getting access to the latest bits
- Windows 8.1 update is available today via MSDN
- Visual Studio 2013 update 2 RC (universal app support) http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42307
- Windows Phone 8.1 available this month for developers registered and installed preview program
New Universal apps!
- http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/buildingapps/archive/2014/04/02/extending-platform-commonality-through-universal-windows-apps.aspx
- New “Shared app identities” allows users to purchase the app once and use on Desktop & Phone
- Can create an app that shares code / XAML across Windows Phone, Windows Store. XAML, C#/C++, Javascript
- In future universal apps will run on Xbox One.
- Example of using it with MVVM Light http://blog.galasoft.ch/posts/2014/04/building-a-universal-application-for-windows-phone-8-1-and-windows-8-1-with-mvvm-light/
- New touch office is being written as a universal app (demoed same code running on tablet & phone)
Cortana is being released in Windows Phone 8.1 as a personal assistant
- http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5570866/cortana-windows-phone-8-1-digital-assistant
Windows Phone 8.1
- http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2014/04/02/cortana-yes-and-many-many-other-great-features-coming-in-windows-phone-8-1.aspx
- Cortana is the big thing, replacing the bing search button.
- Super customisable lock screens with unlock animations
- New workflow keyboard with swipe interface
- VPN
- Support for Bluetooth LE (i.e. Fitbit)
WinJS is now on GitHub and is cross platform in IE, Win8, WinPhone, iOS, Android http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/buildingapps/archive/2014/04/02/bringing-winjs-cross-platform-and-open-source.aspx
DirectX 12 across all devices (Phone, Tablet, PC, Xbox One)
New “Windows for Internet of Things” will cost $0. Could lead to a whole new type of device

The entire conference & screenshots are continued below

Continue reading →

Note: the first few screenshots were low quality, the later images are fine once the connection improved. I’ll update the images once the session is downloadable

Summary

Shared core between Windows 8 & Windows Phone 8 (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsofts-windows-phone-8-finally-gets-a-real-windows-core/12975)
Windows Phone 7.5 apps will work on Windows Phone 8 (All existing apps in the Windows Phone marketplace will be automatically recompiled for Windows Phone 8)
2 new screen resolutions for a total of 3. (now supports a HD720 screen).
New “company hub” that corporate IT can push apps to.
Now has native support for in app purchases.
No direct upgrade for existing Windows Phone 7 devices 😦
But some features coming in a 7.8 update, such as new start screen http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/20/3096945/windows-phone-7-8-upgrade-no-windows-phone-8-existing-devices
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsofts-windows-phone-8-theres-good-news-and-bad-news/12977
SQLite engine is a shared platform library, can be used on WP8 & Win8
Audible app available for download today
Words with friends coming this year.
Great full overview of new features on the verge blog http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/20/3096667/windows-phone-8-screenshots-features-nfc-start-screen-dual-core
During the demo, Joe Belfiore is using a dual-core, HD screen, NFC supporting prototype Nokia phone. Not a retail model.