The Microsoft Build 2017 Recap: What To Expect When You’re Expecting Windows
by Brett Howse on May 19, 2017 8:00 AM ESTCortana and Microsoft Graph
It would have been easy to write off Cortana when it was first announced. After all, it was just another personal assistant, and we’d already seen that done a few times. But Cortana is Microsoft’s real link into ecosystems that are not their own, and having that presence across devices that are not running Windows is possibly one of the most important ways they can maintain that presence as the device engagement on Windows goes down. Microsoft is now connecting Windows to the Microsoft Graph, which is going to open up a lot more capabilities for developers, as well as some great features for users. If you’re not a fan of cloud connected devices, this probably isn’t for you, but some of the capabilities are very appealing.
Clipboard
The ability to copy and paste between devices is something that iOS and macOS users have enjoyed for some time, and now Microsoft is brining it to Windows with the ability to copy and paste “just about anything” between your PC and your phone, whether or not it is iOS or Android. That should be very well received.
Pick up where you left off
This is an interesting idea, but going to be more limited in apps that can be used, but if you log off your PC, Cortana on your phone will ask if you want to keep editing the document you were on, as an example, or maybe it’s the website you were browsing on your phone that you want to pick up on your PC. As long as this doesn’t become a bother, it could be pretty handy when you need to switch devices.
Timeline
This is a very interesting use of the Microsoft Graph. With Timeline, you can go back to a visual timeline of things you were doing before, so it should be much easier to get back to a task that you hadn’t completed, or if you ever have that “what was I just working on?” moment. With File History, we can already go back to files we need to get back, but this is a backup for ideas. Very clever.
The key is Cortana, which is Microsoft’s link to other platforms. Ideas like this may encourage people to use Cortana more on their non-Windows devices, but without user buy-in, this could be an interesting set of features that don’t get much traction. The other issue is Cortana availability, which is very USA first, as with most Microsoft projects. If they want this to succeed, they need to make sure their global audience can use it, but that’s never seemed to be a priority before.
The Microsoft Graph could end up being one of the most important pieces from Microsoft, but first it needs to ship, and then it needs to work well, so for now, let’s reserve judgement.
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name99 - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
"Fluent Design is not going to be just a Fall Creators Update feature either. This is just the first wave of an overhaul which will be ongoing for some time."So that's code for "Don't expect Fall Creators (or any subsequent) release to have a fully consistent UI before we change it yet again"?
Meteor2 - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
Lol :-)Gigaplex - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - link
Pretty much. I don't think I've ever used a version of Windows that had a fully consistent UI, and it only gets worse with each new release.mkozakewich - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - link
You can still find parts here and there with Windows 3.1 dialog boxes.Bullwinkle J Moose - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
Macpoedel"Can't tell if you're being sarcastic here...
If end user control of security is such a big concern for you, why stick with Windows XP and not just run a Linux distro which seems to be exactly what you want. Sticking to an old OS because you want to stay in control doesn't make sense when there are plenty of modern alternatives where you're still in control, they're just not Windows."
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Because End User Control of security is a Big Concern for me and I CAN control the security on XP but not on Spyware Platform 7 / 8 or 10
I use Linux Live when it's needed but I also need Windows for running whatever Windows Software "I CHOOSE", not what Microsoft chooses for me
Bullwinkle J Moose - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
Meteor2"Do you still live in 1997?"
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Do you still live in 1984?
Eiffel - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
The half hearted support for HDR and wide gamut is really disappointing, and a reason for people to use OSX. I just don't understand why the desktop and the most Microsoft application have not already been made ICC profile aware, when the company is selling some wide gamut displays which highlight this shortcoming.III-V - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
"What To Expect When You're Expecting Windows"LOL
drajitshnew - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
BrettAre you aware of any laptop lcd panels that are adobeRGB and 10 bit.
I've search for 15" and above but could not find any. I believe for a large gamut display to display sRGB without posterisation it should be either true 10 bit or pseudo 10 bit (8 bit with with frc).
In any case, is there any consumer GPU with true 10 bit output.
Brett Howse - Saturday, May 20, 2017 - link
Not aware of any and AMD and Nvidia force you to use workstation class GPUs to enable 10-bit