Microsoft Build is a Developer conference much like the Apple GDC and Google IO conferences which they use to reveal new products and services which may assist developers in building great Apps and Games for the Windows Platform. During Build 2015, Microsoft surprised everyone with the amazing Hololens, and have been a staple of their product reveals since then.
But with Build 2016 around the corner, what can you expect from Microsoft this year. Build 2016 affects anyone using the Windows Platform, be it on Windows 10 Mobile or the Xbox One. Microsoft have been pushing the Universal Windows Platform for a year, and games like Quantum Break and Rise of the Tomb Raider have been launched/going to launch on their answer to Cross Platform Development.
Microsoft is expected to take the platform to new heights as gamers on Windows 10 have been complaining about the UWP’s issues like supporting V-Sync and Multi-Card configurations. Microsoft is also expected to delve a bit deeper into the power of DirectX 12 for Windows 10 this year, after showing off what the API could do and mean for gaming on Windows 10 last year, with the amazing demo of Final Fantasy.
More to Xbox One, Microsoft will hopefully give more clarity on where the Xbox One fits in with their vision of gaming, and hopefully we’ll hear more on the Universal Store, which they have been talking about (which is apparently launching this Spring).
We don’t expect more news on Hololens other than some cool demos. Microsoft have been mum on their public release of the device, as Development kits have started shipping. We might see some work Developers have been doing on the platform.
As for the white elephant in the room, Microsoft may give us Windows 10 Mobile users some love with more feature sets coming to the mobile iteration of the Windows 10 platform. Last year they touted their new bridges which allows developers to quickly port Android and iOS apps to Windows. Since then the Android bridge was discontinued due to security concerns. Since then Windows 10 Mobile have seen decent uptake of the iOS bridge with Facebook/Instagram, and others bringing more feature rich applications to the platform. We hope that Microsoft will announce more on this making it easier and faster. A blue sky prediction is Microsoft and Apple announcing a UWP version of iTunes for Windows 10/Mobile.
The Build Conference will start at 8:30 PT on March 30th and will be live streamed on build.microsoft.com. We will be covering the event tomorrow and report any interesting news (or boring news) that may be announced tomorrow.
