Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Microsoft Personal Shopping Assistant is a free download that is essentially a smart shopping cart across the web.  It is an extension for Microsoft Edge that does the following:

• Automatically remembers all your browsed products
• Save to favorites and your personal boards
• Get price change alerts for all saved products
• Compare products across sellers and make smart choices
• Suggestions for other places to buy, where available
• Share one or more products using email or Facebook
• Supports Microsoft, Google, and Facebook login to access across devices
• On 1000s of shopping sites around the world
• Quick favorite button – a blue, heart shaped button on the top right corner of product pages to save a product to favorites and boards, conveniently and quickly
• Feedback button and form inside the assistant for easy feedback
• Support for 27 languages
• Chat with the assistant from Facebook Messenger, enable from the menu
• Ability to rename a board (label on “saved” items)
• See “Other places to buy” within your browse experience (next to blue heart)

Here’s a video overview:

Download the free tool here!

• DOWNLOAD: Microsoft Personal Shopping Assistant
  https://psa.microsoft.com/home/index.html

We are running an “Ask Microsoft Anything” (AMA) about “Windows as a Service”.

The AMA will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT on the new Windows 10 Tech Community.

From the blog announcement:

With the availability of Windows 10, version 1703 and last week’s announcement that Windows 10, Office 365 ProPlus, and System Center Configuration Manager will align their feature update release schedules to make the deployment of updates more predictable and manageable, now is a perfect time to share your thoughts with us and ask any questions you may have about update management and choosing a servicing strategy.

• DATE/TIME:
  Thursday, May 4^th
  9:00AM-10:00AM
• ADD TO CALENDAR:
  https://aka.ms/windowsama/invite
• JOIN THE AMA LIVE AT:
  https://aka.ms/windows-servicing-ama.

In case you haven’t heard, Brydge is about to release a keyboard base called “Brydge 12.3” specifically for the Surface Pro 3/4. 

Besides providing a backlit keyboard & trackpad, the unit makes the Surface Pro FULLY LAPABLE.  Use your Surface Pro easily in bed, on your lap during conferences, while seated in cafes, etc.

“Precision matched aluminum body, 0-160º viewing rotation, backlit keys & a full island-style keyboard, the Surface Pro 3 is now even more powerful & useful.”

It’s $149, and what’s nice about it is that the hinge it uses allows the user to completely close the combo-Surface Pro+Brydge together to make a laptop that you can keep in your bag.  There’s even another version of the Brydge 12.3 that comes with a 128GB Solid State Drive for $299 for those that want the expanded storage.

Those of you with Surface Pro devices that have wanted a solid keyboard base – you now have that option with the Brdyge 12.3.  The same unit works with both the Surface Pro 3 and the 4.

• Brydge Surface Pro 3/4 Keyboard Base
  https://www.brydgekeyboards.com/products/brydge-12-3#tab-Brydge12.3Update 

On May 10^th, join leading experts as we live stream from the Microsoft CISO Summit, (an invitation-only event for Chief Information Security Officers of large enterprises) the Virtual Security Summit. 

For the first time, we’re making this exclusive content available for you to view online.

By attending this online summit, you will hear from security experts on:

• Thought leadership and innovation
• Identity and Threat Intelligence
• Cybersecurity Strategy, Trends and GeoPolitics

AGENDA:

• 8:00AM-8:15AM Welcome & Opening Remarks
  Bret Arsenault, CVP & CISO, Microsoft
• 8:15AM-8:45AM Microsoft Security Strategy
  Kurt DelBene, EVP Corporate Strategy & Operations, Microsoft
• 8:45AM-9:15AM The State and Future of the Cybersecurity Industry
  Arthur W. Coviello Jr., Venture Partner, Rally Ventures Microsoft
• 9:15AM-9:45AM Emerging Opportunities for Security Startups 
  Nagraj Kashyap, CVP Microsoft Ventures, Microsoft
• 9:45AM-10:15AM The Geopolitics of Cyberspace
  Adam Segal, Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies; Director, Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program; Council on Foreign Relations

Register today!

• DATE/TIME:
  May 10th, 8:00AM-10:15 PDT
• REGISTRATION:
  https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=39333

Yesterday we released the preview of a new FREE app called Microsoft To-Do, designed to deliver a smarter, more personal and intuitive way to help people stay organized and get the most out of every day.

Powered by Office 365 integration and an intelligent algorithm to help users prioritize tasks & keep track of todos, it is the first step on our journey to simplify task management and help you achieve more.

This app will replace Wunderlist, as it is written by the Wunderlist development team.  It is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and the Web.

HOW DO I IMPORT MY OTHER TODO LISTS?
If you want to bring along your old tasks, uncompleted tasks or even your older, completed tasks for the record, Microsoft To-Do will automatically import the tasks you may have added to your Outlook or Hotmail account—you’ll see those in your core To-Do list when you first log in (and your Microsoft To-Dos will sync back to Outlook automatically).

You can then import tasks from Wunderlist and to-doist. To do that, go to import.to-do.microsoft.com or tap your name in Microsoft To-Do and select Import.

A shortened URL version of the Import site/tool is available below:
http://aka.ms/todoimport

DOWNLOAD:

• iPhone/iPad:
  http://aka.ms/todoiphone
• Android:
  http://aka.ms/todoandroid
• Windows 10/Windows 10 Mobile: (UWP)
  http://aka.ms/todowin
• Web:
  http://aka.ms/todoweb
• MacOS:
  <coming soon>

FEEDBACK:

1. In-app Contact form
2. UserVoice: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=841742
3. Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/todohelp
4. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microsofttodo

In case you hadn’t heard, the Microsoft Stores are selling the Samsung Galaxy S8, “Microsoft Edition” as of today.

This is an Android-based smartphone that is repurposed with Microsoft technologies, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Cortana, Bing, etc.) some which come out of the box, some of which are installed when a WiFi connection is first initiated from the phone – to get the latest release, of course.

WHY WOULD I BUY THIS FROM A MICROSOFT STORE?
The cost of the device from a carrier or the Microsoft Store is the same however, as a Microsoft technology user, there are 3 good reasons to get the device from the Microsoft Store as opposed from a carrier:

1. APPS SUPPORT
   If you need support or training on any of the Microsoft components installed or configured on the device – especially if you connect to your company’s corporate infrastructure (Think Office 365, Outlook sync, OneNote sync, SharePoint authentication, OneDrive connectivity, Skype for Business connectivity, etc.) , the Microsoft Store will specifically trained on them and be able to help you.  No guessing or hunting and pecking from folks that don’t know the technology first hand.
2. DEVICE SUPPORT
   If you need “Microsoft Store quality” assistance with the device itself, the store will be trained to support you.  Samsung has very few Samsung-branded brick & mortar stores and has been at the mercy of BestBuy or Cellular Carriers for device support and realistically, the sales folks there – particularly the carriers – really have no interest in supporting devices.
   Connecting the Samsung Galaxy S8 with your Windows laptop, for example, might be something you’ll need help with.
3. “MICROSOFT COMPLETE” WARRANTY
   My assumption is that Microsoft Complete will be available for this phone just like any other piece of hardware sold.  Easy swapping for a new device, for any reason… if you have Complete on your Galaxy S8. (Verify that this is the case with the Product Advisor)

For an overview of what the device is, please review one of the MANY articles on the topic below.

• WINDOWSCENTRAL: Samsung Galaxy S8 ‘Microsoft Edition:’ Everything you need to know
  http://www.windowscentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-microsoft-edition-everything-you-need-know
• ZDNET: Microsoft touts Microsoft-customized edition of Samsung Galaxy S8
  http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-touts-microsoft-customized-edition-of-samsung-galaxy-s8/
• TECHREPUBLIC: Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition reveals Microsoft’s true business strategy
  http://www.techrepublic.com/article/samsung-galaxy-s8-microsoft-edition-reveals-microsofts-true-business-strategy/
  • ENGADGET: Microsoft has its own version of the Samsung Galaxy S8 (updated)
    https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/30/samsung-galaxy-s8-microsoft-edition/
  • PCWORLD: The Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition is infused with Microsoft apps
    http://www.pcworld.com/article/3186749/mobile/the-samsung-galaxy-s8-microsoft-edition-is-infused-with-microsoft-apps.html

The Microsoft Build developer conference takes place in Seattle on May 10–12, but no matter where you are, join us for live-streamed keynotes, announcements, technical sessions, and more as it happens.

Learn more about how Windows helps you engage your users, keep their information safe, and reach them in more places – RSVP now using your Microsoft account to participate remotely in Microsoft Build.

This will allow you to:

• Watch the keynote live (Save the date!)
• Vote for the first-ever Windows Developer Awards (Voting closes 4/27!)
• Ninja Cat of the Year
• App Creator of the Year
• Game Creator of the Year
• Reality Mixer of the Year
• Core Maker of the Year
• View select sessions and access your session content quickly
• Create and share collections of Microsoft Build content
• Discuss what you’ve seen and heard with your fellow devs

Register below & save the date on your calendar:

• SIGN UP:
  https://developer.microsoft.com/aad?action=signin&returnPath=https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/projects/events/build/optin?returnUrl=/en-us/windows/projects/events/build/2017/awards
• SAVE THE DATE:
  May 10–12
  https://prodbdk.blob.core.windows.net/prodbdk/prod/site/docs/MicrosoftBuild2017.ics?v=636283943443705265

We’ve recently released Office 365 Threat Intelligence, a solution that leverages the billions of signals that Microsoft receives about threats to Office 365 as well as other cloud & software solutions to proactively notify Office 365 administrators of threats & attacks that may impact them.

It also provides visuals that help Office 365 administrators understand what threats are most relevant to them – specific to their Office 365 environment & identify where in their tenant, there may be a potential risk.

Lastly, it provides detailed dossiers on known threats to educate Office 365 administrators as well as proactive prevention & remediation solutions to address threats when they are detected.

Office 365 Threat Intelligence is available as a separately subscribed solution or available as part of Office 365 E5.

Here is the original announcement around the general availability of Office 365 Threat Intelligence:

• BLOG: Announcing the release of Threat Intelligence and Advanced Data Governance, plus significant updates to Advanced Threat Protection
  https://blogs.office.com/2017/04/04/announcing-the-release-of-threat-intelligence-and-advanced-data-governance-plus-significant-updates-to-advanced-threat-protection/

Here’s an infographic that we produced that provides some insight into what value Office 365 Threat Intelligence provides.

• DOWNLOAD: Office 365 Threat Intelligence Infographic
  https://info.microsoft.com/rs/157-GQE-382/images/MS_ThreatIntelligence_infographic.pdf

Now you can actually build your own “EASY button”.  Physical buttons are available to trigger Microsoft Flow workflows, featuring:

• “PHYSICAL BUTTONS” FOR FLOW
  Flows can now be triggered directly from physical buttons from companies like Flic by Shortcut Labs, and Bttn by The Button Corporation.

Here’s some use cases from the announcement post:

Need a simple way to order more inventory in a production floor? Push the button. It will create a PO with approval in your CRM.

Need a simple way to call Tech support in a conference room? Push the button. It will dispatch a mail to your support team, or open a support ticket in your system.

Need a simple way to track your consulting work hours for various companies? Push the button. It will log your hours and location in an Excel file or a Google sheet.

Need an effortless way to keep track of product sales at a customer touch point? Push the button. It will update a dedicated Sharepoint list.

For more information on these, visit:

• BLOG: Connecting Flow to the real world – Flows can now be triggered directly from physical buttons
  https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/physical-buttons/

Register for the 2017 Microsoft Data Summit & see special guest speakers Freakonomics authors Stephen Dubner & Steven Levitt’s data-packed keynote on June 13!

• DATES:
  June 12 – 13, 2017
• LOCATION:
  Washington State Convention Center
  705 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
• REGISTRATION:
  Microsoft Data Insights Summit 2017
  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/datainsightssummit/default.aspx