Build 2017 has been and gone, but there's still loads from the event that we haven't really talked about. Build is a huge event, with hundreds of sessions expanding on some of the things announced during the big keynotes on Day one and two. In some cases, some sessions touch on things that weren't even announced on stage!
Here's a collection of things we learned at Build that you may or may not have heard about.
Fluent Design is a journey
One of the biggest announcements to come out of Build this year is of course Microsoft's new design language for Windows 10. Originally developed under the codename Project Neon, Microsoft's new design language is called Fluent Design System, and will be coming to Windows 10 over the course of the next several releases.
Microsoft weren't exactly clear about this on stage, but Microsoft's implementation of Fluent Design is a journey that will take a few years to complete. Talking to people at the event, the Fluent Design journey begins with the Creators Update, and continues through the Fall Creators Update, leading into Redstone 4 and 5 in 2018.
Insiders are already experiencing the first batch of Fluent Designs within apps such as Groove Music and Calculator. With the Fall Creators Update, we can expect to see more Fluent Design elements make their way to the system, such as the Start Menu, My People Hub and more. Then, next year, we'll see it hit more places, and so on.
Microsoft Edge isn't coming to the Store
Although original reports claimed otherwise, Microsoft tells us that Edge will not be coming to the Windows Store with the Fall Creators Update. We had heard that Microsoft were looking at this as a possibility, but were told that Edge in the Store is not a high priority for the company at this time.
This is unfortunate, as bringing Microsoft Edge to the Windows Store would allow Microsoft to update Edge at a much faster pace, at least on the surface with new user features. Unlike Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, Microsoft Edge is tied down to just two major releases a year alongside a major Windows 10 release. Chrome can be updated whenever and wherever Google wants.
Microsoft does say it's something on their radar, but won't commit to a timeframe for when we can expect to see it happen. Sad day.
Microsoft is serious about mobile
If it wasn't obvious on stage, Microsoft is pretty serious about mobile and phones right now. Whether you're an iOS, Android or even Windows phone user, Microsoft wants to cater to you and bring your Windows 10 PC experience closer together with your phone.
Windows 10 Mobile even had a short demo on stage, which is somewhat of a surprise. Microsoft continues to say they're committed to Windows 10 Mobile, and showcasing OneDrive placeholders on phone on stage was refreshing to see.
It's clear, however, that Windows 10 Mobile isn't Microsoft's only focus in the mobile market. iOS and Android are just as important, which makes perfect sense. The majority of users who use Windows are iOS and Android users, so it makes sense for Microsoft to cater to those platforms too.
Microsoft has some ideas in mind for Windows phones, and I'm hoping we'll hear more about that later this year.
Build 2018 in Seattle
Next year's Build conference will also be held in Seattle. In a Q&A session with press, Microsoft confirmed that Build 2018 will be held in Seattle's Washington State Convention Center, just like this year.
Microsoft usually hosts Build in San Francisco, but due to ongoing renovation work being done to the San Francisco Moscone Center, Microsoft had to relocate for the next couple of years, and Seattle appears to be the place where Build is settling down, at least temporarily. It's practically in Microsoft's backyard, so why not?
Is there anything you were hoping Microsoft was going to announce at Build this year? Let us know in the comments!
