Microsoft's //build/ 2022 and what we expect to find this week in San Francisco

//build/ 2022

Information technology's nigh that time of the year again for Microsoft to host their almanac developer conference, aptly called //build/ (www.buildwindows.com). Windows Phone Central will of course be on location this week, with the testify starting on Wednesday and running through Friday.

The event is beingness held at the Moscone Middle in sunny San Francisco versus last year's well-attended but rainy version on Microsoft's Redmond campus. Information technology will feature developers from Windows, .Net, Windows Phone, Azure and related "dorsum end" technologies, all learning what's new with Microsoft.

What makes //build/ fun is it's a chance for Microsoft to tell developers what to expect in the next year, including new tools, new technologies and a few big announcements as well. And so what are we expecting?

Windows Phone - No Blue in sight

Windows Phone 8.1 Blue

Unfortunately, we are not expecting whatever significant Windows Telephone news. We know some of y'all take been anticipating some 'Blue' info aka Windows Phone 8.1, but that is all the same in evolution phase and non due to the end of the twelvemonth. Microsoft has reversed itself on "denote now, ship afterward" and instead has gone the aforementioned route as Apple and Google: "announce at present, ship now (or shortly thereafter)".

That'southward non to say nosotros don't expect whatsoever news. As y'all may remember during our previous //build/ or MIX coverage, more often than not little nuggets of data do slip into the many tech sessions that are hosted over the iii-mean solar day event. Sometimes a slide slides in that should non be in the presentation, sometimes you just inquire the right people the correct question and become a surprising response.

But with Windows Phone head Joe Belfiore not beingness in that location and the schedule not fully announced however, whatever big news will be held after for a time to come Windows Phone Summit, much like last year when Microsoft had us all fly to San Francisco for a ii-hr tour of the then imminent Windows Phone 8 Os. Such an event will probably happen again, but we're not expecting anything earlier October.

One thing we will try to exercise is eke out some information regarding GDR2 and GDR3. Those are both forthcoming "minor" OS updates to Windows Phone, with the former expected in the coming weeks and the latter later on this fall. In fact, the Nokia Lumia 925 already ships with GDR2 and nosotros're hearing a mid-July release for that update to carriers for the balance of the states.

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 Blue

Let's be clear: If //build/ this year has one big focus, it will be Windows 8 and the upcoming Windows 8.1 Blue update. Information technology's a well-known secret that many sessions will focus on this big desktop OS update, including new options for developers and the opening upwards of the ecosystem for more than creativity by devs.

Indeed, we await that during the large keynote voice communication, where CEO Steve Ballmer oftentimes hosts, Microsoft will announce a public "preview build" of Windows 8.1 and nosotros bet it volition even become live at that time. That's considering 8.one is expected past the end of summer for general release, leaving only 6-8 weeks for finalization.

Windows viii.1 is expected to bring a lot of refinements to the OS, including some new features for users, small-scale Tile sizes, amend resolution support (for higher resolution devices and small-screened ones).

You tin read more than near the 8.1 update and new features hither.

Xbox One

In case you lot simply came out from a cave, Microsoft has not once merely twice now revealed their next generation gaming (and home amusement) panel called Xbox One. The first was the true reveal at a special Microsoft event, the second was more about the games at the recent E3.

And so what will happen at //build/? That'due south a groovy question because one expanse there is still some mystery nearly is independent developers and publishing. Currently, the system equally understood won't allow indie developers to self-publish (unlike the Sony PlayStation 4) but Microsoft did say they will have "an independent creator program". That's one expanse nosotros wait some clarification on as many consider that yet another mistake past Microsoft in regards to policy.

Another area for the conference is the continuing development of the Kinect sensor (1 and Two), including adapting information technology for diverse other technologies (Windows eight, Windows eight.1) and what developers can wait forward to in the coming months as that SDK gets updated for the new hardware and software.

That 3 screens, deject matter

Three Screens and the Cloud

Last nosotros checked, Microsoft nevertheless has a vision for computing which falls under their "3 screens and the cloud" concept. That thought has your computer, Xbox and Windows Phone (plus we can tablets too) all running similar services, allowing a seamless experience.

While nosotros're not quite there yet in mid-2013, you do accept to acknowledge we are better off than a few years ago. But how will Microsoft continue to merge these somewhat disparate ecosystems together? What does that really even mean in terms of actual development? And where volition SkyDrive/Azure services go side by side?

Nosotros expect to have some answers to some of those questions by the end of //build/

So make certain you melody in to Windows Telephone Central this week equally myself (Daniel Rubino) and Sam Sabri tackle the juggernaut that is Microsoft and its massive developer customs.

For all of our Microsoft //build/ 2022 coverage, book marker this folio: www.wpcentral.com/build-2013

Nosotros may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Dying Light 2 co-op: How to play with online with friends

You lot don't accept to survive the apocalypse alone

Dying Low-cal two co-op: How to play with online with friends

Dying Light 2 is an excellent game, merely it's fifty-fifty more than fun when you play it in co-op with your friends. Here's a guide on how y'all and your friends tin play together, equally well equally what you need to know about how online play functions.

New ways to exam

Minecraft Preview can now be tested by Xbox Insiders on console

On Monday, Mojang Studios appear Minecraft Preview, a new Minecraft game that will let players test upcoming changes and updates before they release. Minecraft Preview volition eventually replace the current Minecraft: Bedrock Edition beta program, and is coming first to iOS and Windows.

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

All-time deals on Xbox headsets

Our tiptop picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Do you fancy a new Xbox One headset? Do you lot fancy not spending more $100? Let the states assist! There's a large range of solid audio options without breaking your budget. And here are our top picks that we've personally used.