Tech Tuesday: April 4, 2016

Keeping up with new tech is important, and it can be easy to get lost in all the latest tech news. So you don’t get behind, this Tech Tuesday, we’re checking out everything that happened last week at Microsoft’s 2016 Build Conference.  

• Windows 10 is scheduled for more free updates this summer, and Microsoft has dubbed it the The majority of the update is focused on integration, whether that be with your other devices, apps you use, or Cortana. Microsoft wants Windows 10 to help you do anything and everything, especially with the help of bots. Lots of bots.

• Microsoft made a lot of developers happy when they announced that you can run Linux Bash shell natively on Windows. No longer do you have to struggle with third parties; there’s a subsystem built right into Windows. Don’t believe that it’s not a VM? ! 

• Biometrics are going to play a big role in new security. With the help of Hello and a finger scanner, you’ll be able to login to some sites using just your fingerprint. Hello can also scan your face and log you into a site that way. You won’t even have to login to multiple devices anymore. Have a smartphone? You can use that to unlock your PC. Wear a fitness tracker? You’ll soon be able to with a specific hand gesture while wearing your tracker.

• Cortana is getting as well, and you’ll still be able to talk to her if your computer is locked. She’ll be able to pull data from all your apps so she can better recognize more about your schedule, previous locations, and personal preferences. Cortana will also be starting to chat with Microsoft’s many planned chat bots, especially for ordering and deliveries. 

• Skype isn’t getting left behind in the bot march, and you can now even for your business to use. Microsoft wants businesses to use Skype bots to order food, ask service questions, and eventually take calls from users. Skype is even getting integrated with Cortana and the HoloLens. 

• Last but not least, how could we not talk about AR? Microsoft shipped the Development Edition of the HoloLens to developers, and opened up the source code for developers to get to work on AR apps. shows how it actually works, and what you see when looking through the HoloLens. You can do anything from browsing the web, making a Skype call, to playing augmented reality video games. Want to read an article while you’re walking down a hall? You can do that, but probably only if you’re very coordinated. 

Microsoft unveiled a lot of exciting things, including plenty of exciting presentations for developers. Interested in more from the conference? Check out some of from Build 2016!