Kurt Shintaku's Blog

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

[Here’s the official invite to Ignite for those of you who didn’t get it]

It’s finally here—one enterprise conference with infinite possibilities. For the first time ever, Microsoft Ignite brings together our best and brightest for a single, remarkable enterprise tech conference.

It will challenge what you know, reveal new opportunities and boost your innovation. You’ll connect with peers from across the globe, get inspired, and then get a game plan for your own business. Feeling fired up? See where technology is headed and meet who’s fueling it—at Microsoft Ignite.

Ignite Your Expertise

• Stimulate your brainpower and learn best practices from leaders who have seen it all and conquered impossible challenges.
• Dive deep into technology and conversations that spark new discoveries.
• Test-drive technology in a hands-on learning environment that engages, excites, and educates.
• Arm yourself with practical tactics and a strategic roadmap to drive your business ahead by working directly with industry greats.

Ignite Your Business

• Be among the first to learn about tech innovations and how to maximize them for your business advantage.
• Get inspired by how your peers are changing their businesses. See how other folks are using our technologies to conquer impossible challenges and find fresh ideas.
• Partner up with brilliance. There will be hundreds of technology partners ready to tackle your toughest dilemmas—they’re up for the challenge!

Ignite Your Connections

• Surround yourself with people you respect and follow online. Share knowledge, some laughs, and Twitter handles.
• Connect with peers from around the world to expand your network, and reconnect with people in your existing communities.
• Unwind after hours, kick back, and truly enjoy the scene.
• Meet the minds that make it happen. For the first time under one roof, Microsoft Ignite gives you unprecedented access to hundreds of Microsoft technology and business leaders. Practice your power handshake.

It all happens May 4–8, 2015, in Chicago. Seats are limited, so register today.

Today, we are delighted to report that we’ve reached another important milestone in our efforts to reinvent productivity.

Skype Translator preview is releasing to external audiences for the first time! Skype Translator is addressing one of the oldest and hardest problems – communicating across languages. A decade ago Skype broke down the distance barriers. Starting today we are breaking down the language barrier.

With Skype Translator we will change the way people communicate across cultures and around the world, one conversation at a time!  The video embedded in our blog post showing the interaction among schoolchildren in Mexico City and Tacoma, Washington gives you a sense of just how transformational this technology can be.

Today, we’re supporting English and Spanish, but our intent is to support more languages in the coming months.

To use Skype Translator:

• Register at www.skype.com/translator.
• When the preview program is available to you, you will receive an e-mail invitation. Follow the instructions in the email you receive to activate your access and install the app
• Note: The store app only supports speech translation between English and Spanish.

——————————-

Announcement post is here:
http://blogs.skype.com/2014/12/15/skype-translator-preview-an-exciting-journey-to-a-new-chapter-in-communication/