Day 1 of the Microsoft Build conference is in the books. The keynote included some exciting announcements. The most significant changes were about Windows Phone 8.1, however there were also some interesting upgrades to Windows 8.1 and Microsoft office, along with a look at new phones from Nokia.
Below are the notes I took during the keynote. I learned most of this information at the same time as the rest of the world. If my notes contain any errors or important omissions, it’s because they are just that – raw notes.
Windows Phone 8.1
Action Center
Accessible from anywhere
Show important apps and settings
Customize lock screen (personalize)
start screen
Show more tiles (High-density)
Background
Cortana
Digital assistant
Powered by bing
Replaces WP8 Search button
Quiet hours
Infers places and interests, but you can override or add to these
Personal assistant:
"What's on my calendar for Saturday?" "Wake me up at 7AM" "Put dentist appointment on my calendar for August first at 10AM"
Lets you know about conflict
Cortana is currently in BETA!
"Next time I talk with X, remind me to talk about Y"
Sets reminder. Reminds during next phone call, chat, or e-mail with X.
Enterprise VPN on phone
S-MIME E-mail
Digitally signed e-mail
MDM Policy: Workplac settings: workplace apps; restrict apps or saving to phone by role
Workflow keyboard
drag finger across letters
Set Guiness record for fastest phone typing
IE11
Reading mode
In-private browsing
Availability
Rolling out to consumers in next few months
On new phones in late April / Early May
Windows 8.1 Update
Mouse and Keyboard users
Minimize Modern app
User can make taskbar visible
Switch between Win32 and Modern apps
Power, Search, and Settings on-screen (top-right)
Right-click menu on Metro side
CTRL+Click
New apps highlighted
Availability
April 8App Dev
Universal Windows apps
Same code to produce apps for phone, tablet, and client
Migrate existing app
Drag common code to "Shared" node in Project Explorer
Create custom controls for each platform
Common app experience across devices
Shared App Identities
Customers can buy 1 app and it will work on phone and PC
In-app purchaces cross platforms (e.g., buy sword)
Devs can choose different experience if desired
Submitting app to store now 50x fasterOffice
Optimized for touch
Larger ribbon icons
Galleries
Faster - more responsive
Unlimited Undo & Redo
Automatically saving Office docs to OneDrive
Pinch to zoom
Same office version runs on PC, Tablet, and Phone
Phone
Silverlight apps still run on WP8.1
WinJS = cross-platform