BUILD 2014 day 1 Keynote recap

Notable announcements of day 1

• Windows 8.1 update is available today via MSDN, and on April 8th via Windows Update for all
• Visual Studio 2013 update 2 RC released, get it at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42307
• Windows Phone 8.1 available this month for developers registered with Windows Phone Preview for Developers, June for end users (depending on carriers…).

Universal apps

• New model in VS2013 update 2 to create apps for both Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1, and later Xbox One as well (so “Universal” in the terms of Windows…)
• So today you can create an app that shares XAML, C#/C++, Javascript code across your Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 projects.
• A new touch version of Office is being written as an universal app
• “Shared app identities” allows users to purchase an app once and use it on Windows and Phone!

Windows 8.1 Update

• Series of enhancements for better mouse/keyboard integration with Metro and the desktop (at last!!)
• Default boot to desktop mode for non touch systems!
• Desktop: Pin Windows Store apps to the taskbar, right-click context menus, …
• Start menu is back with vengeance and tiles support!
• Windows free for 9” and less screen devices!

Windows Phone 8.1

• Cortana (beta): new digital personal assistant for WP8.1, replacing the bing search button (good riddance!!)
• More customizable lock screen + API
• Action Center, a pull down notification bar that allows quick access to app info and settings
• Support for multi-sim phones
• New workflow keyboard with swipe interface
• Support for Bluetooth LE (i.e. Fitbit)
• New Nokia devices: Lumia 630 (with on-screen buttons) and Lumia 930

The 15 minutes mandatory video!

Watch the entire keynote online:
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2014/KEY01

Read the official press release:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/events/build/