Windows 10 Update Site, IoT Incubation: Microsoft Roundup

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This week's Redmond roundup includes news on Windows 10 updates, an IoT incubation hub, a music app acquisition, and several new partnerships to bring Office and Skype apps to Android tablets and smartphones.

Microsoft is attempting to make the Windows 10 update process more transparent for users, the company announced this week. A new update history website will share the details of each software update as it rolls out and serve as a record of changes for those who want to keep track.

The website may not make a big difference to everyday consumers who don't care much about the minor fixes on their PCs. It could, however, be valuable to enterprise users and IT pros who need to investigate problems.

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Windows Insiders in the Fast and Slow rings received new preview builds this week. Build 10586.104, the first to come with release notes, fixes problems with app downloads, Windows 10 Mobile, authentication, and update installation. It also fixes security problems affecting Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11.

Later in the week Microsoft released preview build 10586.107 to both the Fast and Slow rings. It also announced an additional ring for Windows Insiders. The Fast ring is intended for users who want instant access to builds as they are released; the Slow ring consists of Insiders who want early access to builds with lesser risk to their devices.

A third ring, the Release Preview ring, promises "minimal risk" to Windows Insiders who want to test builds before they roll out. Release Preview lets Insiders explore updates for Current Branch, Microsoft apps, and drivers.

On the IoT front, we learned Microsoft is building an IoT incubation center in collaboration with HCL Technologies. The Redmond-based center will focus on leveraging the Azure IoT suite to drive enterprise adoption of IoT across verticals.

Microsoft and HCL will specifically focus on IoT use-cases in the fields of industrial and manufacturing, life sciences, and healthcare. A new model of innovation will use real-time analytics, sensory data, and rapid collaboration to help customers recognize the influence IoT can have on their businesses.

Microsoft furthered its mobile strategy this week when it announced a wealth of new partnerships to bring its apps and services to Android smartphones and tablets. It has a total of 74 hardware partners, now including Acer.

These partners offer, or will offer, Android devices with Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype pre-installed. Microsoft's apps are already available on a series of Android devices, including the LG G Pad 2 and Samsung Galaxy S6.

This move will broaden Microsoft's mobile footprint outside its Windows Phone, which has been famously unsuccessful. The company is also bundling its Office apps on devices running Windows 10 Mobile, but its Android partnerships will do more to expand its software user base and potentially attract paying customers for Office 365.

The mobile acquisition streak has continued following the purchase of keyboard prediction app SwiftKey last week. Microsoft has acquired Groove, a music app, from parent company Zikera.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Groove is no longer available to download on the Windows Store. Current users can continue to "groove" without issue, though they will no longer receive updates to the app.

Mobile acquisitions are already proving a trend this year in Redmond. SwiftKey aside, Microsoft has purchased the Talko messaging app from a former exec, and Event Zero management software with the idea of improve Skype for Business.

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