What India could look forward to from Microsoft’s Build 2018 conference

• If Microsoft’s enhances its AI platforms, that should have an impact on its AI efforts in the country.
• The Azure cloud has been part of Microsoft’s primary focus in the country too.

After Facebook’s F8 conference, it’s Microsoft's turn. The company’s annual Build conference starts at 2100 hrs (IST) today, which will be a two-day keynote. You can watch the live stream on Microsoft’s site (requires registration).

Build is where Microsoft usually sets the tone for the rest of the year. We do expect some revelations around AI-in-everything and more about its Timeline feature, which rolled out in the Windows April 2018 update.

The company is expected to release new features like the Fluent Design interface, Windows Sets feature for grouping apps, data and sites in tab’s that has been in beta since last year. Developer tools for building business applications using its Azure cloud-computing platform and some other new features should also be released.

In addition, new mixed reality devices from its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners are expected, at around a price tag of $200.

And some of these should affect India in the long run. With the company aggressively moving to the cloud-based market, it is expected that Microsoft will push its Azure cloud services in the market, with improved and new tools for developers. The new tools might give Microsoft an edge over other cloud-based services in India.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Microsoft has been doing a lot with AI, announcing the Windows Machine Learning (WML) platform recently. At Build 2018, the company is expected to make improvements to the same, furthering the AI cause that the Silicon Valley has been pursuing.

Of course, unlike many others, Microsoft’s AI efforts are also made for cloud-based services. Given that the company has been trying to push the Azure cloud in India, it’s likely that some of these announcements will make sense for the country as well.

Microsoft has also been working with many startups in India around, enabling various abilities with its cognitive platforms. So, any developments in these platforms will surely affect said companies as well. Amongst Microsoft’s partners are companies like Ola and Microsoft as well.

More Android, iOS integration

Microsoft has been pushing deeper integration with Android and iOS operating systems. While the company seems to have given up on its mobile dreams, it’s pushing into these ecosystems with apps and more. Even Cortana is available on Android and iOS now.

For a mobile first economy like India, this could be very important. Most of the country is already on Android smartphones and Microsoft’s services are fairly popular too. So, deeper integration will benefit users in the long run.