The introduction of Microsoft Store Ads in 2022 was a major step in assisting developers in enhancing the visibility of their apps and games. Building on that momentum, Microsoft revealed during Build that the reach of Microsoft Store Ads would extend beyond the United States, encompassing more than 150 regions worldwide starting from June.

This expansion will provide advertisers with an opportunity to reach a wider customer base through Premium Search Ads within the Microsoft Store and Bing search results. Leveraging the vast global monthly searches generated by Bing, which amounts to 14.5 billion, Microsoft Store Ads will now extend beyond the Microsoft Store on Windows, enabling advertisers to trigger their ads on Bing’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP), effectively expanding their reach.

To further streamline the advertising process and save time for advertisers, Microsoft introduced enhanced onboarding experiences for Microsoft Store Ads. These experiences enable advertisers to conveniently set up eye-catching ad placements, with one tool called Premium Search Ads specifically designed to assist advertisers in connecting with customers by providing visual and prominent ad placement. Advertisers can now highlight their apps for download within the Microsoft Store using this feature.

Microsoft also announced several features aimed at enhancing the user experience and simplifying processes. The integration of Partner Center allows for seamless registration for Microsoft Store Ads, enabling advertisers to link their apps with just one click. Searching for app information is now easier, as advertisers can use various parameters such as app name, store I.D., publisher name, or seller I.D.

Moreover, advertisers can now track and analyze app installations, in-app purchases, and customer engagement within the app, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns. Additionally, the Microsoft Advertising Software Development Kit (SDK) empowers advertisers to re-target audiences on the Microsoft Network, providing further control and targeting options.

In summary, the updates announced at Microsoft Build 2023 demonstrate a dynamic shift in digital advertising strategies, with Microsoft Store Ads emerging as a pivotal platform. As the platform expands its reach beyond the United States to over 150 regions and introduces new features, advertisers gain more opportunities to connect with their target audiences. These updates offer a glimpse into the future of advertising, where technology and innovation will continue to reshape how businesses connect, engage, and thrive in the digital landscape.

Via: Search Engine Journal

Alongside the host of announcements made during the event, Microsoft also announced a nifty shipping to Windows 11 users later this year that will finally let them disable the Microsoft News feed (MSN) on Windows 11’s Widget Board.

If you’ve interacted with the Widget Board on your Windows PC, then you must be aware of the current layout. The current Widget Board layout features news posts as well as videos pulled from the MSN feed.

@thurrott Small passing comment in the keynote but a widget only option may be coming for the widget board in the future. https://t.co/vbnNomwSOV

— Chris (@lindhartsen) May 25, 2023

But as per the announcement made during the Build 2023 event, Windows 11 users will soon have the option to curate a unique experience in the Widgets Board, one that only features widgets. Previously, we had reported on major changes and improvements that Microsoft was planning to ship to widgets on Windows 11.

This is a step in the right direction for Microsoft as users will now be able to disable the MSN feed from their Widgets Board completely. It should be noted that users can already hide stories and videos that they don’t like, but this new addition will completely block them out from the Widgets Board.

What’s more, Microsoft just shipped the Moment 3 feature drop to Windows 11 users as an optional update. It’s expected to roll out to everyone next month via the Patch Tuesday update.

And aside from the capability to have a Widgets Board layout that’s free of the MSN feed, Microsoft also announced that users will be able to change the orientation of the widgets and arrange them based on their own preferences vertically. Additionally, Microsoft will also be enhancing the pinning experience for widgets such that it will now be easier for users to pin installed widgets on the board.

via Windows Central

And while we hit a huge chunk of these announcements, we’re now going to recap some of our favorite sessions as well as announcements that you might have missed in the past few days. Here’s everything that you might have missed:

Windows Copilot for Windows 11

Panos Panay, Microsoft’s executive vice president unveiled that the company is getting ready to unveil Windows Copilot in preview next month. A tool designed to provide centralized AI assistance for customers.

It was further disclosed that the tool will ship with a shortcut in the Windows 11 taskbar, which will feature a pop-up window. Users can ask any questions they might have pertaining to the operating system via this window. Additionally, users will also have the capability to dock the AI-powered assistant in a side pane.

Additionally, the assistant will also be integrated with Bing Chat thus allowing users to access third-party services using ChatGPT plugins. Keeping in mind that Microsoft’s adoption of open plugin standards, which in turn avail ChatGPT plugins across Bing, Microsoft 365 Copilot, as well as Windows Copilot.

Microsoft adopting open plugin standards for Bing and Copilot

During the developer conference, Microsoft announced that it will be transitioning to an open plugin system. As such, users will now be able to use a single platform to build plugins for commercial and consumer artificially led services across Bing, ChatGPT, Dynamics 365, and more.

Essentially, this means that when the developers hit the ground running and start building applications featuring AI capabilities using the new Azure OpenAI Service, they’ll automatically be compatible with the new set plugin standard. As we speak, Microsoft currently expanding its support to services like Kayak, Refin, and more.

AI-powered Microsoft Store

Microsoft is also shipping AI capabilities to its Store app. Per the announcement, the AI Hub will provide users with a curated experience featuring AI-powered apps in the Microsoft Store.

Additionally, Microsoft Store will also feature a new capability that will help users summarize customer reviews for apps. This will in turn make it easier for users to get a general idea of the app’s user experience based on the feedback provided.

Discoverability for apps in the Microsoft Store will also be enhanced significantly. App developers will soon be able to suggest search tags for their apps. The new improvement will leverage AI capabilities to consume the app’s metadata and signals, ultimately enhancing its discoverability in the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft 365 Copilot integrated into Edge

In March, Microsoft debuted Microsoft 365 Copilot. A tool designed to help people with generating emails, documents, and more. The tool is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 and ships with Copilot for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the Power Platform. And this week, the company announced that it was incorporating third-party plugin support into the tool.

Alongside this new addition, Microsoft will further integrate the tool in Edge. Essentially, this will help incorporate and enhance work-related functionalities in the browser’s Sidebar. As such, users will have access to powerful tools that will come in handy when it comes to answering questions, and completing tasks ultimately enhancing productivity.

And while the tool is still in private preview, Microsoft recently unveiled a paid early access program earlier this month, thus granting more users access to the tool which in turn will help them reshape and transform work.

Microsoft also announced Edge for Business within the Edge browser in preview for managed devices. The new experience is powered by Azure Active Directory (AAD) and is designed to mitigate issues that arise when it comes to hybrid work by separating personal and work browsing.

Bing Search integrated into ChatGPT

During the developer conference, Microsoft also announced its extended partnership with OpenAI and unveiled that the integration of Bing into ChatGPT as the platform’s default search experience.

Microsoft’s CVP at Modern Life and Devices Group, Yusuf Mehdi, indicated that:

ChatGPT will now have a world-class search engine built-in to provide timelier and more up-to-date answers with access from the web. Now, ChatGPT answers can be grounded by search and web data and include citations so you can learn more—all directly from within chat.

Windows becomes more appealing to Developers with AI

It’s very apparent that Microsoft has been busy at work making efforts to provide a suitable environment for developers across its ecosystem, particularly in Windows. During Build 2023, the company further affirmed its commitment to this cause with AI capabilities.

Microsoft announced notable additions coming to Windows 11 for developers like the ONNX runtime for Hybrid AI Loop, and Dev Home. The company further indicated that it is working towards enabling Hybrid AI Loop in Windows 11 via ONNX runtime. As such, it’ll be possible for third-party developers to make use of the same tools leveraged by the company’s high-ranking engineers to run AI models across Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Additionally, the company also announced that it will be incorporating GitHub Copilot X into Windows Terminal. This way, users will be able to leverage natural language AI in inline and chat experiences right from the command line. In turn, it will be easier for developers to code as they’ll now get command suggestions, explanations for errors, and more.

Wrap up

These are some of the key announcements, we only hit the highlights. We invite you to head over to the Build 2023 website for more information and details pertaining to the announcements made. Do let us know which sessions you like best and what features you’re anticipating most in the comments.

If you missed yesterday’s news, you can catch up on all our posts, and check out the Microsoft Build website where you can register to watch today’s keynote and all the sessions, or the Microsoft News Build 2023 site where there’s lots of official news.

And today, at Microsoft’s annual conference for developers, Panos Panay shared a short video on his Twitter account to introduce Windows Copilot alongside the Dev Home.

But the video did more than just debt the new entries, it also confirmed that Microsoft was indeed working towards redesigning and modernizing the File Explorer app in Windows 11. Towards the end of the video, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the new app briefly.

Today, we announce new AI experiences and tools for #Windows11 to empower developers. Pumped to introduce you to Windows Copilot and Dev Home. #MSBuild https://t.co/MkqiKKtuFg pic.twitter.com/pf1H3o1tyW

— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) May 23, 2023

Right off the bat, aside from the new look and feel which is very apparent, you can also spot the new address and search bar which has been pushed close to the tabs in the app. You’ll also notice that all actions have been moved down below the address bar, closer to the navigation pane.

Additionally, the redesigned File Explorer also features rounded interfaces as well as blur effects which aligns with Windows 11’s Fluent design. To this end, Microsoft is yet to make the official redesign announcement though we already know that the new app will adopt WinUI 3.

As we speak, it’s already possible for some Insiders to test a version of the File Explorer running on WinUI 3, though it doesn’t feature the changes highlighted above.

Alongside the redesigned File Explorer app, we also got to glance at the new gallery feature which is in preview and should start rolling out to roll out to more users soon. The feature is designed to make it easier for users to access their photo collection.

These advancements get Microsoft one step closer to modernizing some of its legacy apps that have remained untouched and haven’t received any significant updates for a long time.

via XDA Developers

Microsoft has launched Arm native versions of two essential developer tools: Visual Studio and .NET. These tools have been optimized to maximize performance on Arm devices, enabling developers to accelerate their workflows and streamline the creation of Arm-compatible applications.

The latest iteration of Visual Studio, version 17.6, introduces support for MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) on Arm, allowing developers to create cross-platform applications with ease. Furthermore, Visual Studio 17.71 Preview 1 now offers Linux development support with C++, opening up new opportunities for developers to build applications targeting the Linux ecosystem.

To bolster the Arm development ecosystem, Microsoft has also collaborated with key partners and made significant contributions to popular middleware projects. LLVM v12.0 and onwards provides cross-compilation and native compilation options for Arm, enabling developers to optimize their code for Arm-based architectures. Node 20.0.0, which was made available in April, comes with native Arm support, empowering developers to leverage the full potential of Node.js on Arm devices.

The availability of WiX installer v4.0 further extends the Arm support landscape by allowing developers to create native installers specifically tailored for Arm-based systems. This simplifies the deployment process for Arm-compatible applications, enhancing the overall user experience.

In the past 12 months, several middleware projects have also released Arm64 native versions, showcasing the growing recognition of Arm’s value among developers. Notable releases include Qt 6.2, CMake 3.24, Bazel 5.1, OpenSSL 3.0, OpenBLAS 0.3.21, and Python 3.11. These updates enable developers to harness the power of these middleware solutions while maintaining seamless compatibility with the Arm architecture.

Moreover, the Unity Player, a popular game engine, has now become generally available for Windows on Arm natively. This means game developers can effortlessly target Arm devices, providing native performance and optimized experiences for their users across current and future titles.

Excitingly, Microsoft plans to introduce additional solutions in the near future, further enriching the Arm64 ecosystem. Among the upcoming offerings are GNU GCC, Flutter & Dart, PyTorch, and GIMP. These additions will empower developers to explore new possibilities, build advanced applications, and harness the unique capabilities of the Arm architecture.

While Microsoft continues to invest in the Arm platform, it’s worth noting that numerous independent developers have also recognized the value of Arm native support. As a result, they have released Arm64 native versions of their applications, ensuring that their customers receive the best possible experience on Arm-based devices.

Build 2023 promises to offer participants digital and in-person interactive experiences in Seattle, Washington, from May 23 to May 25, 2023. The conference will feature many sessions, interactive workshops, and hands-on labs. Additionally, Microsoft executives will deliver keynote speeches, and attendees will have the opportunity to network with other developers. You can register for free and follow along virtually, and even collect some digital swag.

The commencement of the conference features a keynote session led by Satya Nadella, the CEO and Chairman of Microsoft, and Yusuf Mehdi, the CVP and Consumer CMO of Microsoft. The initial presentation is followed by an informative session entitled “The Era of the AI Copilot,” introducing novel AI-assisted tools catering to enterprises and individuals.

AI announcements recap at Build 2023

Microsoft and OpenAI have made a joint commitment to grow the AI plugin ecosystem by embracing an open standard for plugins that integrates across various platforms. This includes ChatGPT and Copilot offerings such as Bing Chat, Dynamics 365 Copilot, Windows Copilot for Windows 11, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

With the new extensibility model for Microsoft 365 Copilot, developers can integrate their apps and services into the platform with plugins. These plugins augment the capabilities of AI systems and enable them to interact with APIs from other software and services. There are three types of plugins available for Microsoft 365 Copilot: ChatGPT plugins, Teams message extensions, and Power Platform connectors.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access Program customers can access over 50 plugins from partners including Atlassian, Adobe, ServiceNow, Thomson Reuters, Moveworks, and Mural. In the coming months, thousands of additional line-of-business and third-party plugins will become available as existing Teams message extensions and Power Platform connectors integrate with Microsoft 365 Copilot.

The extensive ecosystem of plugins used in everyday work will bring unprecedented value to customers, transforming how work gets done. Developers can create Teams message extensions today using Teams Toolkit for Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and CLI, which will function as plugins for Microsoft 365 Copilot.

The technology giant introduced new features to Teams Toolkit, aimed at making it easier for developers to create and test plugins. One such feature allows developers to integrate any API specified by the OpenAPI specification into Microsoft 365 Copilot. This feature is currently available in private preview. Another new feature allows developers to control and customize the user experience through adaptive cards, while Teams Toolkit provides a plugin containing manifest and declarative adaptive cards that define the Copilot user experience.

These features can be further customized by developers to fit their specific scenarios, such as configuring authentication settings before testing their plugin in Copilot.

Microsoft has announced the Semantic Index for Copilot, which is a mapping tool of user and company data. It uses vector embeddings to capture semantics and similarities around content and users, enabling fast semantic search across billions of items. With Graph connectors, developers can bring their data to Microsoft Graph and take advantage of the Semantic Index for Copilot for more personalized and actionable responses.

Also, Microsoft 365 Copilot can now access structured data from Dynamics 365 and Power Platform stored in Microsoft Dataverse, allowing copilot responses to be grounded in business data. This feature is available to customers in the Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access Program.

Furthermore, the business software solution, Microsoft 365 Copilot, is currently undergoing a private preview phase and will be integrated into the Microsoft Edge browser. In addition, the company will start affixing a watermark on any AI-generated content produced by Bing’s Image Creator and Designer tool.

Via Microsoft

Alongside this new development, Microsoft also debuted Microsoft Edge for Business in preview on managed devices. It’s in place to deliver a unique and dedicated browser experience for businesses featuring its own visual elements, including an adjusted icon, your organization’s name, and other visual cues.

Microsoft Edge for Business is powered by Azure Active Directory (AAD) and ships with a wide range of features that you already interact with in Edge, only that these features are now dedicated to providing users with the best browsing experience for business. The key features that are part of this new experience include enterprise controls, security, and productivity features.

Additionally, the company has highlighted that this new experience will help mitigate issues that arise when it comes to hybrid work. It will help to better define work and personal use within the browser.

And now rather than having multiple browsers to cater to the various needs that you might have, Edge for Business will help enhance the user’s privacy while simultaneously “maintaining crucial, enterprise grade controls set at the organizational level.”

This way, it will be easier for users to separate their work-related browsing experiences from their personal within the Edge browser since the new experience automatically splits work and personal browsing into dedicated browser windows. What’s more, it further categorizes caches and storage locations separately.

Microsoft further stated in the blog post that:

Work-related sites, such as Microsoft 365 apps and services and sites requiring work login, automatically open in the work browser window. A growing set of popular sites automatically open in the personal browser window. Once enabled, users will be able to seamlessly and automatically flow back and forth between the work and personal browser windows, depending on the site. Users can designate additional sites for work or personal use in settings.

IT admins, on the other hand, will be able to leverage the new experience’s capabilities to better handle cyberattacks within the organization. Edge for Business cancels out the need to use different browsers since it has the capability to manage hybrid work and split work from personal needs. As such, it is now possible to better handle attacks since hackers will have limited avenues to exploit.

The new experience also ships with designated controls and security features such as built-in data loss prevention, information rights management, and feature availability, ultimately allowing IT admins to put elaborate measures in place that will protect users within the organization from data breaches.

Microsoft Edge for Business will define how people interact with the web both at work and home, as they are now able to completely separate both browsing experiences.

Not to mention the enhanced security features that will help keep attackers at bay. The company has further indicated that the experience is expected to start rolling out to unmanaged devices in the next couple of months.

What are your thoughts on the Microsoft Edge for Business experience and its capabilities? Let us know in the comments.

Image via Microsoft 

Microsoft announced today during its developer conference that it will bring Copilot to Windows 11 as “the first centralized AI assistant” for Windows customers. Combined with Bing Chat and first and third-party plugins for ChatGPT, developers and users will be able to access deeper collaborative and efficiencies than previously.

Copilot for Windows, seemingly brings together the system wide search of Windows as well the LLM of Bing Chat to help users navigate the operating system including system settings, music, and playlists, or opening relevant or related task-oriented apps.

Similar to Bing Chat in Edge, Windows Copilot will be dockable as a 1/3 windowpane that can sit next to any app accessible in Windows to keep relevant information at the forefront.

Microsoft plans to have a preview of Copilot for Windows 11 ready for Insiders by June 11, 2023.

Soon Microsoft plans to make AI Hub generally available to users as a way for people to easily discover, learn and experience the various facets of AI in apps or informal documents.

Developers can submit their AI-powered experiences to the Microsoft Store starting today.

In addition to a new AI section being added to the Microsoft Store, Microsoft will be expanding the Microsoft Store Ads experience to support 150 regions and will be available as part of the Bing search results. Another expansion of the Store ads experience includes a new spotlight section in the Store that will have a new location for developers to promote their content with a video-focus in mind.

When it comes to more specific features coming to the Microsoft Store, the community plans to implement AI-generated review summaries, AI-generated keywords, Restore App functionality and more.

To make developers’ lives a bit easier, the Microsoft Store will also provide access to AI generated review summaries that make it “faster and easier for customers to scan app reviews.”

Fear not, the reviews are not created out of thin air by AI, but rather, are a compilation of genuine reviews for users to skim through in a single reading section.

Using the power of AI, reviews are analyzed and compiled into a simple summary, making it easier for customers to discover new content.

As for the AI-generated keyword, developers will soon gain the ability to expand their audiences by making use of AI-generated smart keyword suggestions for a more precise SEO search of their apps on their product description pages.

Lastly, Restore Apps will mimic the app loading process of data transfer between smart phones where new devices will automatically synchronize pinned apps in either the Start Menu, Taskbar or Settings page from a previous device. Users will be able to go into the Microsoft Store and engage with the Restore Apps feature and sidestep the lengthy process of redownloading

Most of these new features will be available for developers starting as soon as today, but a handful of the features will be made accessible next month, with general availability to customers coming later this year.