Build 2014. Hot news for Windows and Windows Phone developers

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    Just a few hours ago, the opening of the Build 2014 conference ended , at which many interesting announcements were made for developers and users of Windows and Windows Phone.

    Let me remind you that the Build 2014 conference is being held from April 2 to 4 in San Francisco. For us, an online broadcast of the event and recordings is available.

    Following the opening of the conference, the main news for the developer is the ability to create universal applications that work equally well on a smartphone, tablet, laptop and TV, using a common API and design principles.

    In addition, other changes were announced that await us in the near future:
    • New versions of operating systems and products ;
    • Changes in application stores ;
    • New devices .

    And now about everything and more ...

    Meet new products!


    Windows Phone 8.1

    A few months later, we are waiting for the release of the new mobile operating system Windows Phone 8.1 , which will be available as an update for all devices on Windows Phone 8. It will be available to developers a little earlier (deadlines have not yet been announced).

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    Some new features of the operating system were demonstrated:
    • The ability to use two SIM cards, if the device allows it.
    • Customizable lock screen.
    • More tiles on the main screen and background pictures.
    • Notification Center - the ability to enable / disable notifications from various applications.
    • New swype keyboard for fast typing with Russian language support.

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    • Wi-Fi Sense to search and connect to the web in an unfamiliar place.
    • Quiet hours - customizable schedule for receiving calls, mail, notifications from applications. It can determine the geolocation and apply the specified settings. For example, do not receive mail when you are at home.
    • Improved calendar and weekly data presentation.
    • Cortana is a personal bing-based digital assistant. You can communicate with her, she knows how to perform a huge number of voice commands and is trained.

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    • Support for VPN, S / MIME, device management using MDM and encryption for corporate users and organizations.

    Windows 8.1 Update

    We are waiting for an update for the client operating system Windows 8.1 Update , which is already available for MSDN subscribers. Other users with Windows 8.1 will receive the update on April 8, absolutely free .

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    The update for Windows 8.1 contains the long-awaited changes by many users:
    • Minimize and close buttons for all applications.
    • The shutdown and search buttons on the main screen.
    • Context menu for Live Tiles.
    • Move several tiles at a time with the mouse.
    • Search now also searches for apps in the Store.
    • The application store is pinned to the "Taskbar".
    • IE - Enterprise Mode for compatibility with previous versions of IE, including the ability to manage policies for which resources to enable it.

    Also at the opening, they showed and told what they are working on now - the Start menu and the ability to launch Metro UI applications in desktop mode, in a window. See, and switch to them using the "Taskbar".
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    Visual Studio 2013 Update

    Already now you can download the Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 RC update:
    www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42307

    WinJS - open technology

    Who says Microsoft doesn't like open source? WinJS

    JavaScript framework , which is one of the ways to create Windows and Windows Phone applications, is now becoming an open source solution and is already openly available on github . Not a joke, not April Fools.



    Universal applications for Windows Phone and Windows 8.1


    Now we will have a single development platform for Windows and Windows Phone.

    Windows Phone will also use Windows RT, and in Visual Studio 2013, after installing the SDK, new project templates and features for converting and creating universal applications will appear.

    In addition to the common kernel, controls and design principles, new operating systems will include the new DirectX 12 and IE 11 with WebGL support.

    Universal Windows applications can be launched on the Xbox too.

    Application Stores


    Such global changes could not but affect the application stores. And here is also a lot of good news.

    As you know, now for the Windows and Windows Phone store we use a common developer account. And now we are waiting for a single identifier for the application.

    Now it will be possible to buy the application on a smartphone and not pay again for the tablet and desktop .

    Also, the interface of the stores will change slightly, he will learn how to recommend applications based on your preferences.

    New devices


    In summer, we expect new models of smartphones from Nokia. The flagship Nokia Lumia 930 and the vibrant and affordable Nokia Lumia 630 and Nokia Lumia 635 .

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    Nokia Lumia 930 is a new, very nice looking, smartphone based on Windows Phone 8.1 with a good screen, a 20 MP camera, stabilization and several sound speakers around the perimeter of the case.

    The Nokia Lumia 630 and Nokia Lumia 635 are affordable smartphones with one or two SIM cards. They promise that these devices will cost less than $ 200.

    Not saying goodbye


    During Build and a little after it, I plan to write a few more posts about our new operating systems and development.

    In the meantime, download updates, see Build and, of course, come to DevCon , where you will find a lot of information about new technologies in Russian.

    useful links


    Conference site Build 2014
    Online broadcast of the conference
    Official announcement: Windows Phone 8.1
    Official announcement: Windows 8.1 Update
    Download Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 RC

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