Quick overview:
Photo: Microsoft Corporation
The main focus of Microsoft's Build 2015 developer conference was of course Windows 10, but new announcements that were more indirectly related to the new operating system caused a particular stir. Here is an overview.
Android and iOS apps run (after flash conversion) on Windows 10
Microsoft surprised the developers and IT experts present in San Francisco with its new Visual Studio Code for Apple's OSX and Linux. The tool enables Windows 10 developers and users to run applications for the Android and iOS mobile systems on the Windows platform.
According to Microsoft, it will be possible in future to convert mobile apps from competitors into so-called universal apps for Windows 10 with minimal effort using special interfaces. These will then run on all Windows devices - PC, notebook, convertible, smartphone, tablet and Xbox One.
Windows 10 smartphones support PC mode
The interesting news for mobile Windows devices also includes the fact that both the applications and Windows 10 will adapt independently to the screen sizes of the respective devices and the associated operating options.
In future, Windows 10 smartphones and tablets will also be able to be connected to large monitors with a mouse and keyboard - and thus serve as a PC replacement. In this mode, the conventional Windows desktop for PCs will be displayed on the monitor.
This is possible because all universal Windows apps run on all Windows 10 versions - and ensure that they can also be opened as a PC version on a PC desktop and operated using a mouse and keyboard.
Microsoft's new browser: Edge faster than Chrome and Firefox?
The official name of the new browser was announced at Build 2015: Microsoft Edge is the name of the successor to Internet Explorer, which was previously referred to in the media as Project Spartan.
According to initial speed tests, the latest Edge version should already be faster than its rivals Chrome and Firefox. However, only a preliminary version has been released so far, which still needs to be fine-tuned, as compatibility with some common web technologies is still lacking.
Spectacular: HoloLens merges the real and digital worlds
The build highlight was clearly the presentation of Microsoft's HoloLens data glasses. Conference visitors were able to test them. The price is said to be significantly higher than that of a current games console, which will probably only make HoloLens suitable for the masses to a limited extent in the first version.
So what did Microsoft show at Build - apart from a completely redesigned operating system? One thing above all: the company has apparently learned from its mistakes and has quietly hatched some really impressive innovations.
Apple, Google and co. will have to dress warmly in 2015 and 2016. Provided Microsoft does not launch its great products on the market unfinished and once again lose a lot of sympathy from its users.
Rights holder Article image above: Microsoft Corporation
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