Building the future Image by Microsoft Microsoft’s annual Build conference is ostensibly aimed at developers, but it’s always the stage for a slew of consumer-focused product announcements as well—and Build 2017 was no exception. From the future of Windows to Cortana everywhere to an app that uses machine learning and mixed realities to make your movies…
Amazon is on the verge of disrupting the enterprise videoconferencing and unified communications markets dominated by Cisco and Avaya with its new Amazon Echo Show device. Echo Show, announced Tuesday, is being marketed initially to consumers for $230 and will ship on June 28. It works with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, and features a 7-in.…
EDF Energy is looking to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help make its nuclear power stations more efficient and to reduce customer’s home energy consumption. Speaking at the AI Summit in London this week, David Ferguson, head of digital innovation at EDF joked that the tech sector mantra — originating with Mark Zuckerberg at…
Mobile developers building apps for iOS and Android have some new tools from Microsoft designed to make their lives easier. On Thursday, the company unveiled a series of apps and services, including one that’s designed to let Windows-based developers test iOS apps from their PCs. Called Xamarin Live Player, the app allows developers to link…
The Windows Store platform’s heating up now that Windows 10 S is here and restricted to Microsoft’s walled garden. At the Windows 10 S launch event last week, it was revealed that Spotify is on its way, and during Thursday’s Build 2017 keynote, Windows chief Terry Myerson announced that iTunes—yes, Apple’s crown jewel—is coming to…
Google has only been in the serious VR game for a few months with Daydream, but that doesn’t mean it’s a small player. Many of its interactive and immersive efforts extend beyond the limitations of its phone-based headset, including Title Brush and Google Earth VR, and a new acquisition looks to take VR to the next…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering expanding existing bans on laptops and other large electronic devices on flights, a situation that could pose a nightmare for many business travelers. DHS spokesman David Lapan said via email early Thursday that “no decisions have been made on expanding the restriction on large electronic devices in…
Intel has told a court that MGT Capital Investments has gone ahead with the announcement of the “John McAfee Privacy Phone,” even though the company that proposes to change its name to “John McAfee Global Technologies” has previously said that it did not plan to launch products and services under the McAfee mark. The chipmaker…
A conservative group took credit for a barrage of anti-net neutrality comments posted on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s website this week, but it denied generating fake activism. The Center for Individual Freedom said it did not use a bot to generate comments after news reports raised questions about the legitimacy of the posts. Between Monday…
Research into artificial intelligence is going gangbusters, and the frenetic pace won’t let up for about five years — after which the industry will concentrate around a handful of core technologies and leaders, the head of Intel’s new AI division predicts. Intel is keen to be among them. In March, it formed an Artificial Intelligence…