In this edition of Weekend Reading, we’ve got stories on the introduction of Windows 10, the relationship between Microsoft and the NFL, and a YouthSpark expedition into the jungle with five young technologists.
Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Operating Systems, introduced Windows 10 as “the first step of a whole new generation of Windows.” Windows 10 will run across a broad set of devices – from the Internet of Things, to servers in enterprise datacenters worldwide. “We’re not talking about one UI to rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored experience for each device. And across this breadth of devices, we are delivering one application platform for our developers. Whether you’re building a game or a line-of-business application, there will be one way to write a universal app that targets the entire family. There will be one store, one way for applications to be discovered, purchased and updated across all of these devices.”
Now that the NFL season is in full swing, fans and teams can find new and better ways to experience this fall favorite thanks to the ongoing collaborative sponsorship between Microsoft and the NFL. Through the Microsoft NFL app for Xbox One, fantasy football aficionados and amateurs can fully engage in the fierce competitiveness that defines the fun and the drama of this pastime within a pastime. And on the field, players and coaches are using the specially designed Microsoft Surface Sideline Viewing System.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLddPakLF1I
Five young technologists who entered Microsoft YouthSpark’s “Challenge for Change” contest are thrust into a situation that will challenge them to the core, and in doing so, change them forever. They sent in ideas for how to use technology to make their communities better. Then, they were named among 20 finalists and after public voting online, they each won a pile of Microsoft technology, $2,500 for their projects and a two-week trip to Ecuador to help them boost their leadership skills and galvanize their knack for creating change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ2P62mXq9g
The new MSN arrived. The new MSN rolled out Monday to more than 425 million people in 50 countries that come to the site each month. The top of the homepage now has one-click access to all favorite services including Outlook.com, Office, OneNote, OneDrive, Skype, Facebook and Twitter. It provides a global, comprehensive perspective from thousands of authoritative sources across 11 categories and it’s easy to personalize based on your interests. With this release, there is now one unified, consistent Azure-powered experience that spans the apps on Windows 8.1 devices to MSN in the cloud. While Bing will continue to provide search and intelligent experiences, now the apps will be branded to reflect their alignment with MSN.
Microsoft Office released a preview of a new content creating tool and new Office 365 plans for small and mid-sized business. Office Sway provides an easy way to make and share interactive creations. A “Sway” is the canvas you create using Sway. Drop in your content from your cloud storage, your devices or social networks. Sway’s built-in design engine takes the hassle out of formatting your content, integrating it into a cohesive layout as you work. New Office 365 plans for small and mid-sized businesses became available this week. They offer more flexibility, with the ability to mix and match plans to meet specific employees’ needs. They also provide more value by offering additional services such as Yammer.
Fans of games and apps found sales, updates and new additions to the Stores. The latest Red Stripe Deals give you discounts of at least 50 percent, for instance. Now, you can tell Cortana to “Shazam” that song on the radio. Get your motor running and head out on the highway with the App of the Week, “Asphalt Overdrive.” And, the Sibos financial conference revealed new apps and services from Microsoft customers and partners.
This week on the Microsoft Facebook page, we asked fans about their passions outside of work. Tell us how you own your #5to9.
Thanks for checking out this edition of Weekend Reading. Hope your first fall weekends are going well. See you next week!
Posted by Athima Chansanchai
Microsoft News Center Staff