From developers to techno junkies everyone is awaiting the latest highlights from the Developers Conference.
The Microsoft Build 2018 kicked off at Seattle on 7th May, unveiling spectacular keynotes. The conference was all about the integration of the Microsoft’s platform with Amazon Alexa, iOS and Android. Alongside, the focus was on Microsoft’s exponential work toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools.
Here’s what you need to know from the event!
Your Phone, An App From Microsoft
Microsoft unveiled an app called Your Phone. It gives an interface to your personal computer (PC) which provides a mirror of iOS and Android . The app is exclusively for Windows 10 PC. However the integration of app to the PC depends on the user’s device whether its an Android device or iOS.
Your Phone will be available to Windows Insider beta testers this week, with the feature set to come to all users in a Windows update later this year.
Cortana And Alexa Tie Up
As astonishing as it may look, Microsoft Cortana is all set to step into its rival Amazon Alexa’s den. Alexa devices will now let you access your very own email and calendar updates using Cortana instead of Alexa.
Microsoft Layout
The next big thing from the technology giant is the mixed reality tool, Microsoft Layout.
The tool basically allows you to design and visualize your own real world spaces using a Microsoft HoloLens headset. You could also use a third party mixed reality headset for designing as well. The Layout lets Windows Mixed Reality users define a virtual floor plan and then move 3D models around in a Virtual Reality (VR) headset. Then users can preview how a room would look and feel. Not only that, but also users can go to a physical location and view that layout using the HoloLens.
Accessibility for AI
Big tech giants Google and Apple have been focusing on AI lately. Now, Microsoft is in the line as well. The company announced a $25 million, five year program to encourage software and device developers to design products using artificial intelligence that are aimed at the disabled community. The company wants to empower people by accelerating the development of AI tools that provide them with more opportunities for independence and employment.
Microsoft Runs Your Meeting Now
The conference portrayed a room with a Surface Hub smart screen at the front. It also had a smart speaker in the center of the table and internet enabled cameras monitoring the room. By combining the data from the microphones and the cameras, Microsoft’s AI can build up a real time record of the meeting. A transcript of the conversation, divided by individual user, shows up just seconds after the words are spoken on the side of the screen. The AI recognizes your statement and accelerates the conversation in a continuing manner. The company wants to upgrade business conferences using this new technology.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said “The world is becoming a computer and computing is getting embedded in every person, place and thing.”
The company does know that the technology is evolving at a lightening pace and has been keeping pace with these advancements. Let us know what you think about these new keynotes from Microsoft Build 2018 in the comment below.
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Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.
In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.
Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.
EndureAir, a deep-tech drone startup specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aerial robotics solutions, has successfully raised INR 25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital infusion will enable EndureAir to enhance its advanced drone technologies for defense applications, broaden its reach in enterprise markets, and accelerate the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms.
Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir stands out in India’s indigenous UAV sector by developing both hardware and software in-house. Backed by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and holding eight patents in flight dynamics and autonomous systems, the company has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the deep-tech drone ecosystem.
EndureAir’s flagship drone platforms, including the Sabal heavy-lift UAV family inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and the Vibhram drone supporting Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky program, are deployed in critical operations. The startup also collaborates with Bharat Electronics Limited for co-developing high-altitude drones and works with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments on remote logistics missions. With this funding, EndureAir aims to position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, advancing resilient domestic drone systems for defense and enterprise applications.
Venture Catalysts, a leading Mumbai-based venture capital platform, has secured Rs 150 crore (around $18 million) through a strategic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This fresh round of funding resulted in a company valuation of approximately $200 million and drew participation from high-profile investors such as Ashish Kacholia, the Shah Rukh Khan family office, Aishwarya Rai, as well as several established capital market veterans and renowned business houses. The move not only demonstrates strong investor confidence but also positions Venture Catalysts at the forefront of India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.
The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate key initiatives, including expanding Venture Catalysts’ leadership team, launching new investment funds, and exploring advanced technology solutions with an emphasis on AI-enabled due diligence and reporting tools. Additionally, the firm aims to strengthen its footprint across major Indian startup hubs and grow its suite of Category II alternative investment funds, harnessing this growth to support a new wave of promising startups and founders within the ecosystem.
Since its inception in 2016, Venture Catalysts has evolved from an angel network to a multi-fund powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets and deploying nearly $200 million across more than 400 startups, including industry leaders like BharatPe, Renee Cosmetics, and InsuranceDekho. This latest funding round reinforces Venture Catalysts’ pivotal role in nurturing and scaling some of India’s most innovative startups, catalyzing growth throughout the country’s thriving entrepreneurial sector.
