Microsoft Build 2018 Focuses on AI, Cross-Platform Apps, and Mixed Reality
Microsoft reveals major new tools at its Build developer conference, emphasizing cross-device experiences over Windows exclusivity. Highlights include a new Your Phone app and a mixed reality design tool called Microsoft Layout.
Microsoft uses its Build 2018 developer conference to emphasize a multi-device future that goes beyond Windows PCs. The company shows that it cares more about connecting users across all platforms, including Mac and Android, rather than limiting its software to its own operating system. AI, distributed computing, and seamless cross-platform integration stand out as the core themes of the event.
The most practical reveal is an app called Your Phone, which mirrors Android and iOS devices directly to a Windows 10 PC. This integration allows users to manage mobile apps, texts, and notifications from their desktop, with Android offering deeper system access than iOS. Windows Insider beta testers get access to this feature this week, and a full rollout happens later this fall.
Microsoft also introduces Microsoft Layout, a mixed reality tool designed for professionals like architects and engineers to visualize floor plans using HoloLens. Additionally, the company surprises attendees by announcing a new partnership that connects its digital assistant, Cortana, with Amazon's Alexa. This unexpected integration highlights Microsoft's broader strategy to make its AI services accessible everywhere.