Microsoft Build is starting in just a few days, and with it we’ll see what Microsoft has in store for us in the coming year. With the first keynote starting around 8:30am PST (11:30am ET / 4:30pm BST / 1:30am AEST) on May 7, 2018 – Microsoft has a lot to talk about, with Redstone 5 and Microsoft Office likely being at the center.

Some of the major updates we’re expecting to see at Microsoft Build 2018 teases of Redstone 5 (the codename for the next major Windows 10 update), Windows Mixed Reality updates and some AI news. It’s unlikely that Microsoft will announce anything beyond software, so you shouldn’t be expecting the next Surface devices here.

So, let’s dive in to what we expect to see next week during the Microsoft Build 2018 keynotes. And, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll keep it updated throughout next week.

Cut to the chase

•  What is it? Microsoft’s developer conference
•  When is it? May 7 – 9, 2018

How to watch

If you don’t want to pay the $2,000 to attend the event in-person, you can fortunately watch the keynotes for free right here from the comfort of your home. You’ll be able to catch them live on May 7 and 8 at 8:30am PT (11:30am ET / 4:30pm BST / 1:30am AEST).

What we expect to see

Microsoft Build is sure to include some impressive updates for Windows 10, new software, advanced in AR and VR, here everything we expect from the show next week.

Redstone 5

Sure, we just got the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, but Windows Insiders are already testing Redstone 5. So, we expect to hear a bit about the exciting features rumored for the next major update to the landmark operating system. 

This is the update where we’re expecting to see Microsoft’s cool new Sets feature – which will allow users to group different apps and websites together in one window, much like tabs in a web browser. We’re also expecting to see some quality-of-life improvements to the Windows 10 Taskbar and Search. 

Office 365/Office 2019

It might not be the most exciting thing to non-professionals, but we’re expecting a focus on Microsoft Office 2019. The software maker just released a preview build of Office 2019 for businesses, and seeing how we haven’t seen a perpetual release of Office since 2016 – Microsoft Office 2019 is going to be a big deal.

We probably won’t see much for Office 365, as users already have access to all of the new features in Office 2019 – rolling updates is the main selling point, after all. However, that doesn’t mean that Microsoft doesn’t have any surprises up its sleeve. We’ll just have to wait and see. 

Windows Mixed Reality

We just got a slew of Mixed Reality updates in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, but we don’t think Microsoft is going to slow down here. We’re not sure exactly what Microsoft has planned for Mixed Reality in Redstone 5 and beyond, but we’re expecting to at least see a continuation of their recent efforts to improve performance and ease-of-use. 

More AI

AI is one of the biggest things in the tech industry in 2018, and Microsoft has already made huge steps to capitalize on it – and you can be sure it’ll be a huge focus at Microsoft Build 2018. Windows Machine Learning (WinML) is an API allows developers to incorporate machine learning models into their apps. And, because WinML is a relatively recent technology, we’re expecting Microsoft to go into a lot of detail about it. 

This is a developer event, after all. 

Whether it’s improvements to the WinML API introduced in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update or just showing off its capabilities to developers, we expect a lot of sessions to focus around AI, its capabilities and maybe some new features.

Azure and the cloud

Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing service, has always been a big piece of the Build conferences and we see no reason for the trend to stop now. Especially as the segment grew by whopping 17% according to the company’s latest quarterly financial results. As with previous events, we expect Microsoft to wax on about all the improvements they’ve made and how it will meet developers’ every demand.

Smart home and IoT devices

It isn’t hard to see that in 2018, Microsoft is a little bit behind Google and Amazon when it comes to the smart home. However, we can see Microsoft trying to implement its Cortana virtual assistant into more devices – perhaps even announcing some new hardware partnerships. 

Thanks to the Cortana Skills Kit, Cortana is more capable than ever before – and even cares if you live or die. So, we should see Cortana improve over time, it has a huge install base, after all – it’s a potential goldmine.

As for what devices Cortana will make an appearance on? Who knows. However, the Harman Kardon Invoke, while it wasn’t particularly popular, was still a promising device, so we may see a follow-up.

http://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-build-2018

Update: Standalone virtual reality has finally come to the Daydream platform. This is thanks to the Lenovo Mirage Solo headset, which is on sale today.

The headset works much like your standard Android phone, though of course, once you slip it on, you’re transported to a world of VR. The headset features impressive WorldSense tracking, so it will track your head in the real world as it relates to the virtual one. 

The Daydream platform itself is still limited in terms of apps and games available, and at $399, the Lenovo Mirage Solo is an expensive piece of hardware. However, it’s very comfortable and easy to set up, making it a solid new entry into the VR headset space.

Original article continues below…

Daydream is Google’s platform for bringing virtual reality (VR) to mobile devices and standalone VR headsets, and it’s quite different than Google Cardboard, to say the least.

Unlike Cardboard, which aimed to get people in the VR door with a low cost and lenient power requirements, Daydream is a more robust vision that has its sight set on providing higher-quality experiences to Android Oreo users and beyond.

But it goes beyond Google’s own hardware and software. Google has teamed up with partners to create Daydream headsets, namely Lenovo and the just-launched Lenovo Mirage Solo headset. 

Google Daydream is all about bringing exciting and absorbing VR experiences to those who don’t want to invest in a pricey HTC Vive or Oculus Rift VR headset (though the Lenovo Mirage Solo costs just as much as Oculus Rift). Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Google’s high-quality VR platform
• When is it out? Now
• What will it cost? $99 / £99 (around AU$125) for Daydream View, though standalone headsets are more expensive

Google Daydream View headset

Want to get started with Daydream? Google has its own headset that you’ll be able to use with Daydream-ready phones. 

It’s called Google Daydream View (2017) and, unlike other VR headsets we’ve seen before, it has a material design … just like the Android operating system. There’s a latch on the front to slide your phone in and the controller for the headset is included.

Last year, Google invited other device makers to create their own Daydream headsets. At Google IO 2017, it was made obvious that said device makers responded, with dedicated, standalone Daydream headsets in works, though one prominent maker eventually dropped out.

Netflix, HBO and Hulu all have Daydream-ready apps available now, plus The New York Times has launched an app, too, for its VR videos.

Plus, Google has also made its own apps compatible with the Daydream platform. That includes Play Movies, Photos, Maps and YouTube.

Daydream goes independent

During Google IO 2017, the firm officially confirmed the well-reported rumor that it would be launching standalone Daydream headsets with select hardware partners.

This means that all of the parts needed to drive the Daydream experience will be found inside these headsets. No need for a phone, PC or even any cables.

Those early partners included Qualcomm, with which Google built a reference design, HTC and Lenovo.

However, HTC eventually dropped out of making a standalone Daydream headset, opting instead to focus on its own standalone VR headset, the HTC Vive Focus. 

That headset is launching worldwide later this year.

The standout feature of the Lenovo Mirage Solo is Google’s new WorldSense tracking technology, a series of sensors that provide all of the motion tracking and sense of presence that, say, a smartphone’s sensor array would.

As Daydream is deeply integrated into Android, Google has put the entire Play Store within view while wearing a Daydream headset.

The Google Play Store takes on a familiar look in the VR space, with each individual app having its own rating and description. Google has also added the level of motion that you’ll experience within each app, just so that you know what sort of immersion you’re about to get yourself into.

Performance

Daydream requires these three pillars in order to be a viable VR option: smartphones that are optimized for VR, with a high quality system on chip (SoC) to maintain 60 frames-per-second playback, low persistence displays to eliminate ghosting and lag, and finally, top-notch sensors that operates with minimal latency to boost the sense of presence.

So, what sort of performance can we reasonably expect out of it? Well, you’d be right to think that it really depends on the power of the phone that’s inside.

Google’s new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM. You can bet that these devices are primed to push high-quality VR experiences.

What’s more, the Lenovo Mirage Solo also packs a Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM.

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-vr-release-date-news-features-1321245

Hot on the heels of Oculus Go’s release earlier this week, Google and Lenovo have made their own standalone virtual reality (VR) headset available starting today. 

The Lenovo Mirage Solo is the first standalone VR headset that runs on the Google Daydream VR platform, meaning it doesn’t require a smartphone. Its biggest highlight is WorldSense, the positional tracking tech that lets you walk around inside of a virtual world without external sensors. 

Mirage Solo’s Daydream library has over 350 experiences for purchase, including around 70 that use the exclusive WorldSense tech. 

We tried out some Mirage Solo experiences, and felt that the WorldSense bubble was is unfortunately small at times, yet carries a ton of potential for future experiences.

In terms of tech, the Mirage Solo has a 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 IPS LCD screen, 2.5 hours of battery life, 64GB of storage (plus a microSD slot), and a Snapdragon 835 processor. 

As for the Lenovo Mirage Solo price, the device will set you back $399 (about £293, AU$530). 

For comparison, the 64GB Oculus Go price is $249 / £249 / AU$369, while the PC-tethered Oculus Rift sells for $399 / £399. 

You can purhcase the Lenovo Mirage Solo at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and from Lenovo. 

Lenovo Mirage Camera release details

In addition to the first standalone Daydream VR headset, can also purchase the Lenovo Mirage Camera starting today. 

Marketed as the first VR180 camera, the Mirage Camera utilizes two 13MP fisheye lenses to film VR-enabled 3D content—just not a full 360-degree view. 

With it, you can film VR experiences and then watch them through your Lenovo Mirage Solo. 

In our review of the Camera, we found that the 4K footage was sometimes brilliant but often had inconsistent visual quality, and we were frustrated by the lack of a previewing screen on the back. 

The Lenovo Mirage Camera price is $299 (about £220, AU$400), which is comparable to many 360-degree cameras. 

You can purchase it on Amazon, Best Buy, or from Lenovo.  And anyone who knows they want both devices can also pick up a Solo + Camera bundle for a $50 discount on Amazon. 

http://www.techradar.com/news/lenovo-mirage-solo-the-standalone-daydream-vr-headset-is-now-on-sale