As shared in my earlier post, recently Microsoft held its Build Conference 2021 as a virtual event. It spanned across for more than two days that touched upon various topics. It was not as big as it used to be in person for last several years. There were numerous updates that they shared which I have tried to cover here.
To empower developers, to empower you, to empower the world.
Microsoft vision
Core Themes
Microsoft unveiled a handful of news and tools to empower developers. There were multiple Innovative AI, mixed reality solutions, intelligent cloud tools solutions shared. Core themes for the conference were as depicted below:
With so much changing in working mode, Microsoft shared how they are looking to support for Operational excellence with their developer platform. A deep dive session on how to increase developer velocity with Microsoft’s end to end platform was shared during the conference.
Further, data being the key for future transformations, they showcased how Azure Data was being built as a platform that could support AI & data governance.
They now support building deeper Artificial Intelligence infrastructure for everyone. This would help in easy onboard and usage of Azure services to have more proactive approach to solutions. Details about how to harness the power of data in our applications with Azure can be viewed here.
With Microsoft vision to empower developers, there was a session on how to build cloud native solutions that can run on premise, on edge and on multiple cloud. Recording of the session can be seen here.
Covid has probably made the biggest shift in how we work today. A hybrid future work style is being imagined with new operating models to work, learn or collaborate.
Microsoft Teams is one of the Microsofts fastest growing product with 145 million daily active users to date.
With new working style, transformation seems to be an opportunity where cross device collaboration would be the key. Microsoft surely knows the same and are investing in it. Following session shares on how they are progressing on the collaborative applications journey: Build the next generation of collaborative apps for hybrid work
Based on the different kind of services, need of support, scalability options and various other factors puts software as a service, a much needed way. Microsoft looked focused on the same and shared on how they are working towards a cloud native SaaS apps composed on top of other clouds and components.
Microsoft also held a session showcasing how they are working towards helping build Metaverse Apps (digital and physical mixing up) incorporating digital twins, IOT, Autonomous systems, Power platforms and Mesh.
Announcements
Like always, there were few key announcements about new initiatives and solutions as mentioned below:
Real World
Through sessions, Microsoft covered few examples on how various other organizations are leveraging Microsoft solutions to provide awesome customer experience with speed and accuracy.
Nadella in his keynote also shared that because of Covid, digital transformations have accelerated and has advanced by 10 years.
Post pandemic, virtual world will still have a significant role in the new normal. Solutions across industries would want to be connected and continue use the benefits of digital first responders. This would further fuel the innovations and development across technology.
Windows Update
Microsoft’s Build 2021 event didn’t had much of Windows-specific news. Few that came out were:
- 21H1 windows update was rolled out with multiple security fixes
- Support for Linux GUI apps on Windows 10 will come later this year
- Continues promoting ARM – Qualcomm ARM/Snapdragon Developer Kit was announced
- Fall update (aka Sun-Valley Update) might have renewed UX
Windows10 used by 1.3 billion – work, learn, connect and play
Microsoft
.NET Update
.NET 6 is the next version of .NET, a modern, open-source development platform for building apps for any OS with the best performance and productivity.
.NET 6 completes the unification of the platform and adds new capabilities for building web, native and hybrid apps for Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android with a single codebase. Details can be viewed here: .NET 6 deep dive – what’s new and what’s coming
- .NET 6 preview 4 available, .NET 6 planned to be released during .NET Conf 2021
- Visual Studio 2022 under works, preview to be available soon
Imagine Cup 2021
Make an impact through coding, collaboration, and competition. Innovate with passion to tackle global issues and bring your idea to life in the Imagine Cup.
Imagine Cup
One Winner out of four student teams from across the world was announced. Teams brought their innovations focused on four social good categories – Earth, Education, Healthcare, and Lifestyle. With intention to solve issues in their local and global communities, multiple teams participated and final four were selected after evaluation on various parameters.
Team REWEBA from Kenya were announced as the Imagine Cup 2021 World Champions.
What’s next
Learn, connect, and explore all of the sessions and on-demand content from Microsoft Build anytime, anywhere.
Microsoft
With virtual as normal, Microsoft hinted at having multiple What’s next virtual events to share updates through out the year. For now, they have asked to save the date June 24 as event to share all about the operating system’s updates.
All the MS Build sessions are recorded and can be viewed from here.
Reference: https://mybuild.microsoft.com/home