Kurt Shintaku's Blog

By the way? We’re also… y’know… releasing a new version of Windows. In case you hadn’t heard. And it’s gonna be FREE.

Free Upgrade Offer
Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year!*  And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.

Read more on the new Windows 10 page:

• About Windows 10
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about
• Windows 10 for Business
  Want to know more about Windows 10 for your company? Check out our blog for business and our blog for IT pros.
• Windows 10 Blog
  Follow our Windows blog to stay up to date with the latest information on Windows and the Windows ecosystem.
• Windows Insider Program
  Calling all tech enthusiasts! Help shape the Windows 10 experience for millions of people and join the Windows Insider Program.
  http://insider.windows.com/

In case you hadn’t heard, we made a little announcement about some optics we’ve been working on.

• Microsoft HoloLens
  The era of holographic computing is here.
  When you change the way you see the world, you can change the world you see.
  http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us

Imagine what this could do?

Apparently, the press like what they see:

• WIRED: “Our Exclusive Hands-On With Microsoft’s Unbelievable New Holographic Goggles”
  http://www.wired.com/2015/01/microsoft-hands-on/
• GIZMODO: “Project Hololens: Microsoft’s Audacious Plan to Make Anywhere a Holodeck”
  http://gizmodo.com/microsofts-wants-to-turn-your-living-room-into-the-holo-1680924508

Reminder folks… Registration for BUILD 2015 in San Francisco (Apr 29th-May 1st) begins 9:00am PST Thurs, Jan 22.

Yes, that’s TOMORROW.

Visit http://www.buildwindows.com for more information.

Perceptive Pixel 2.0?  Sure.  But much much more.  Take a look.

For more information on Microsoft Surface Hub:
http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-surface-hub/en-us

In case you missed it, you can now video chat between Skype & Lync.  It does require Skype for Windows 7.0.x.100 so download the latest Skype for Windows client here:
http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-windows/downloading/

In 2013, we enabled Lync users to contact people on Skype using instant messaging, presence, and audio calling right from your contact list. I’m happy to say that we’ve now taken the next step by adding video calling between Lync 2013 and the latest Skype for Windows desktop client, available for download here. Now Lync users can conduct everyday business and collaboration “face-to-face” with customers, partners and suppliers who use Skype.

The screenshot above shows a video call from the Lync perspective. Whether you’re using Lync or Skype, it’s an easy, familiar experience—you make the video call the same way you make any other call, with the same options for starting, stopping, re-sizing and maximizing video.

Read more here:

• OFFICE BLOG: Video calling between Skype and Lync available now
  http://blogs.office.com/2014/12/05/video-calling-skype-lync-available-now/

For folks interested in cloud backup solutions for desktops & client systems, this announcement may be of interest.

We are excited to announce the support for backing up data to Azure from Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 machines, using Azure Backup. You can find more details on the supported client operating system versions, SKUs in KB3015072. By downloading this update, you automatically get all the capabilities released in the last few months, including:

• KB2989574: Support for data sources more than 850GB
• KB2997692: Long Term Retention and Simplified Signup & Registration
• KB2999951: Support for Windows Server 2008
• KB3015072: Support for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

This release opens up new scenarios for Azure Backup by enabling customers to back up their on-premises files and folders directly to Azure. Once the initial backup copy is completed, Azure Backup tracks the changes to the backed up files and efficiently transfers only the changed content over HTTPS.

…

Read the rest of the post here:

• AZURE BLOG: Azure Backup – Announcing Support for Windows Client Operating System
  http://azure.microsoft.com/blog/2014/12/16/azure-backup-announcing-support-for-windows-client-operating-system/

Neowin’s Brad Sams wrote an article that goes over the distance-per-step calibration process for the Microsoft Band and explains how it can be more accurate than other pedometers and what the Microsoft Band team says about it.

The tl;dr essentially involves using the “GPS” or “Run” function AT LEAST ONCE to gather information about the distance you walk versus the number of steps you’ve taken.  Once you do this, the Band will have some information to accurately measure your steps, distance, etc.

Read the entire article here for more details.

• NEOWIN: You need to calibrate your Microsoft Band: Here’s how
  http://www.neowin.net/news/you-need-to-calibrate-your-microsoft-band-heres-how

Wanna try a new app we just released called “Gestures” for Windows Phone?

The idea is that instead of tapping the screen of your phone, through the use of the accelerometer, simply moving the phone in a certain manner can initiate an action.

For example:

With Gestures you can control some of the functionalities of your phone without touching the display. Our first release will enable you to control calls and silence your phone conveniently. You can:

• Answer a call by picking up your phone and putting it to you ear
• Mute your mic during a call by placing the phone on a flat surface with the display facing down
• Put the call on speaker by placing the phone on a flat surface with the display facing up
• Silence the incoming call ringer by flipping device display down. 

Download “Gestures” beta here:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/gestures-beta/38384829-0b39-4f21-a954-d2d4f8a4ac96

We announced the Microsoft Office Sway Preview a couple months ago to a select audience.

Starting today, we’re expanding Sway Preview. Now anybody can be a part of Preview and start creating Sways immediately by signing in with a Microsoft Account–no more waitlist. If you haven’t tried Sway yet, visit Sway.com and get started! If you’ve been patiently waiting for an invite, we’re ready to have you get started right away by visiting Sway.com and signing in.

…

Read more here:

• BETA: Sway Preview expands and delivers more feature improvements
  http://blogs.office.com/2014/12/15/sway-preview-expands-delivers-feature-improvements/

Take an early look at some of the features and functionality of the next version of Windows for business users.

• One converged Windows platform

• Designed for the way you live and work

• Protection against modern security threats

• Managed for continuous innovation

We’ll also discuss guidance for consideration for your deployment approach. Join Stephen Rose, Sr. Product Marketing Manager for US Windows and Devices and a former IT Pro.

• WEBCAST: On Demand: Windows 10 for Enterprise
  https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=22979