Microsoft unveils slew of developer enhancements for Microsoft 365 platform

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Microsoft logo (Image credit: Windows Central)

With Build 2019 this week, Microsoft has a load of sessions and news in store for developers. Today, the company started off by introducing several tools meant to help developers build "people-centric experiences using the Microsoft 365 platform."

Among these tools, there's the preview of the Ink Recognizer Cognitive Service, which can be used across Android, iOS, and the web to ensure accurate digital ink recognition.

Microsoft is also launching XAML Islands with the release of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, allowing developers to connect their WPF, WinForms, and native Win32 apps with a "new rich UI." An updated React Native for Windows can also be used to write cross-platform code with JavaScript to create apps that feel native.

Today also marks the launch of a preview of the new Windows Terminal, with tabs, themes, extensions, and much more. Alongside the new Windows Terminal, Microsoft has announced that the second iteration of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2) will launch in preview later this year, built on the Linux 4.19 kernel with improved performance and compatibility.

Finally, Microsoft touched on its new Visual Studio Code Remote extension, which is available today and allows remote development in the Windows Subsystem for Linux, containers, and virtual machines.

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl