In the latest episode of What the Tech, Andrew Zarian and I get caught up on last week’s Build 2015 conference and discuss Microsoft’s plans for bringing Android and iOS apps to Windows 10, the schedule for new high-end Lumias, how HoloLens has changed, and a coming DVR for Xbox One. Running time: 1:03:32 Subscribe Audio:…

After two straights weeks of mammoth Microsoft conferences—the developer focused Build 2015 in San Francisco last week and the inaugural Ignite 2015 in Chicago this week—my mind is of course turning to the next big thing for the Redmond computing giant. And while there are certainly more trade shows—’tis the season, after all—and major software…

In a session at Ignite this week, Microsoft explained how and when it will merge the sync engines for OneDrive and OneDrive for Business and then improve both services going forward. As previously explained, these changes will come after Windows 10 is completed mid-year, and some new features will likely not be implemented until 2016.…

You may have seen recent rumors that Microsoft has killed off Windows Media Center, the ten-foot digital media interface that it first developed for a special version of Windows over 10 years. Well, it’s true: Microsoft’s Gabe Aul confirmed this week that Media Center will not move forward to Windows 10. “Due to decreased usage,…

At its Ignite conference today in Chicago, Microsoft announced a number of updates that it will provide for Skype for Business in the coming months. This summer, the product will be updated with new attachment and co-authoring features. And later in 2015, Skype for Business will be able to broadcast meetings to up to 10,000…

About two months after releasing the Office 2016 IT Pro and Developer Preview, Microsoft has delivered a broader preview aimed at all users. The Office 2016 Public Preview for Windows provides an early look at the next-generation Office suite for the desktop, which Microsoft says has been updated for the modern workplace, with smart tools…

Sometime later this year, Microsoft will sell a new family of Windows 10 devices called Surface Hub with the aim of unlocking team collaboration in innovative new ways. If you think of Surface tablets as Windows expressed as hardware for individuals, Surface Hub is basically the same thing, but for teams. And now that I’ve…

Stuck between an overly-long Azure presentation and the hype-worthy Windows segment during the Build 2015 keynote earlier this week, Microsoft’s Office announcements barely registered with many watching the event live or remotely. But don’t mistake this lack of publicity for a lack of news: What Microsoft revealed about Office during Build was in fact quite…

If you’ve been following the news from Build this week, you know that Microsoft’s innovative augmented reality solution, HoloLens, was one of the high points of the opening day keynote. But in using HoloLens now for a second time, I’ve discovered that while some things have improved quite dramatically, Microsoft has also cut some corners…

For all the news that came out of Build this week, I think my favorite was Continuum for phones, a feature of Windows 10 that will enable smart phones handsets to act as tiny, full-powered PCs and work with external peripherals like keyboards, mice and displays. To use this feature, however, you’ll need to clear…

I’m in San Francisco for Build 2015 and have a busy week planned. Here’s how you can keep up to date on what’s happening at the show, including my live coverage of today’s epic keynote, a Thursday meetup, and a live recording of Windows Weekly on Friday. Build keynote The Build keynote is scheduled for…

This week, Microsoft updated Movie Creator Beta for both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, adding a number of useful new features, including OneDrive integration and support for 4K video. However, this useful app continues to be limited to Microsoft’s Lumia handsets and Surface tablets for some reason. Note: I’d be surprised if Microsoft continued…

Folks, this is the Windows tablet you’ve been looking for. With Surface 3, Microsoft has hit the right combination of performance, capability and durability, with a device that provides the best of the successful Surface Pro 3 at a more affordable price. Surface 3 is a fine choice for students of all ages, mobile professionals,…

For the few, the proud, the Zune HD users, there is Zune HD and then there is nothing else. But what do you do when a Zune HD gives up the ghost? Is there an acceptable modern alternative? Why yes. Yes, there is. I thought you’d never ask. Larry S. asks: My beloved Zune HD…

Talk about getting off on the right foot. Microsoft on Wednesday announced that it will sell Surface 3 in a bundle with Type Cover and Surface Pen at a 10 percent discount to educational institutions. Additionally, the software giant is offering a special, lower-cost 32 GB Surface 3 configuration to help educational institutions save even…

While Microsoft’s support of iPhone is first-class, the software giant has been working to close the gap on Android as well. This makes sense for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Android is the most popular mobile platform on earth. Plus Microsoft offers some unique apps on Android…