Build 2019 is just around the corner, and you can expect to see lots of new announcements regarding Microsoft 365, Azure, IoT, and more for developers. In addition to all the announcements, there will be hundreds of hands-on sessions that dive into new features, services, and more.
I've been looking through the sessions list in search of the most interesting sessions, and it looks like there are loads of them that dive into subjects ranging from Windows 10 to Mixed Reality. Here's a short list of all the sessions we think will be worth watching. If you'll be at the event, you may want to attend. If not, there should be recorded versions available in the future. We'll also be at these sessions to bring you any news that comes from them. So, keep it locked to Windows Central.
Moving the web forward with Microsoft Edge
With Microsoft Edge moving to Chromium, there's still many questions that have been left unanswered. In this session, we're hoping Microsoft will answer at least some of them. Expect Microsoft to talk about what's in store for the new Edge, how Microsoft plans to contribute to the Chromium project, and explain why the decision to move to Chromium for Edge was made.
Session details
- Date: May 6.
- Time: 5:00PM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: The new Microsoft Edge is built on a new foundation, powered by Chromium. This session will go deeper on our plans and intentions for Microsoft Edge, the Chromium open-source project, and our ongoing work in web standards communities. We will discuss how we plan to become a significant contributor to Chromium in a way that will make not just Microsoft Edge, but other browsers as well, better on both PCs and other devices. You'll also learn how this foundation will enable us to deliver a consistent set of developer tools and application experiences built using web technologies across platforms.
Fluent Design System: the journey to cross-platform
We're huge fans of the Fluent Design System here at Windows Central, so we're going to be keeping a close eye on this session. We're expecting Microsoft to talk about new improvements to Fluent Design, and also talk about how Fluent Design is coming to other platforms, including the web.
Session details
- Date: May 8.
- Time: 8:30AM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: Microsoft is expanding Fluent to the web, across platforms, and more devices. Come learn how Microsoft is utilizing Fluent on our own products through shared principles, patterns, tools, and documentation, and how you can use these resources on your own applications.
Building UWP apps for Multiple Devices
Learn about the latest on-goings in the world of UWP and find out why you should be considering a UWP app as a developer. Microsoft will talk about scaling UWP apps across Xbox, HoloLens, and IoT devices, and talk about the benefits of building one app that works across all Windows platforms.
Session description
- Date: May 8.
- Time: 10:00AM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: With Windows 10 and UWP, developers can now build a single application that will target multiple devices. Your UWP apps can now run on devices ranging from desktop and Xbox to HoloLens and IoT devices. This ability to target such a wide range of devices requires some new strategies and planning to enable UWP apps to not only look and function correctly on each device, but to light up device specific features without needing special builds. This session will take a look at how to successfully build UWP apps that target multiple devices and get you ready to start deploying UWP apps across devices.
Windows Insider Program for Developers
Want to know more about how the Windows Insider Program can help you as a developer? This session is for you. If you have an app, and want to gather feedback from your users, the Insider Program can help get that sorted by integrating it with the Feedback Hub. Find out more in this session.
Session details
- Date: May 6.
- Time: 3:30PM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: "How do I get more people using my app and more feedback from my users?" This looks like a job for the #WindowsInsiders program! This session showcases some of the ways in which being an Insider helps you as a developer such as getting your app integrated into Feedback Hub, amplification of your app to our giant community, career coaching and our brand new, top-secret Insider PWA (CatNip). As an extra bonus, you'll have the chance to contribute to CatNip development and give us feedback on the app.
Adaptive Cards vNext – Powering the next generation of contextual user experiences in your apps and Microsoft 365
It feels like we haven't heard about Adaptive Cards in forever, but they're still alive and kicking if this session is anything to go by. Microsoft will provide an update on the current state of Adaptive Cards, and will talk about what's next in the Adaptive Card roadmap.
Session details
- Date: May 8.
- Time: 12:30PM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: This session will give a brief update on the state of Adaptive Cards today, then spend the majority of the time showcasing compelling real-world scenarios and gathering your feedback. Adaptive Cards vNext is focused on enabling powerful, contextual user experiences; meeting your customers where they are, whether you're a LOB developer or B2B solution provider; and making sure that content is actionable, embeddable into any platform, and beautifully integrated with the surrounding UI.
Intro to Building Apps for HoloLens 2 Using Unity and Mixed Reality Toolkit
Interested in HoloLens 2? This is the session for you. Microsoft is going to talk about how developers can start building apps that take advantage of HoloLens 2's new capabilities, as well as sharing those capabilities across devices. If you want to see more HoloLens 2 action, this is where you're going to get it.
Session description
- Date: May 8.
- Time: 10:00AM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: We will demonstrate how to get started building apps for HoloLens 2 using new on-device capabilities and the power of Azure Services. We will be re-creating some of the instinctual interactions showcased at HoloLens 2 announce, and augment these with cross-device sharing using Azure Spatial Anchors.
State of the Union: The Windows Presentation Platform
Find out what's new in Windows UI for Win32, UWP, and .NET applications. Also learn about updates for XAML Islands and modernizing desktop apps to take advantage of Fluent Design.
Session details
- Date: May 7.
- Time: 8:30AM PT.
- Description from Microsoft: Learn how we are evolving the Windows platform by enabling consistent desktop UI/UX across UWP, Win32, and .NET and enabling developers to create beautiful, service-driven experiences that target 800M+ devices. We will cover what's new in the presentation platform and how we will engineer in the open with the Windows UI library project. This session will also provide an update on modernizing desktop apps with XAML Islands and much more.
Those are our picks for sessions to watch out for at Build 2019. As mentioned above, there are hundreds of sessions happening at Build this year, and you can check out the full session list here.
