The Microsoft Build 2014 conference, held in San Francisco, served as a major platform for the company to outline its strategic direction and announce new products and services. While primarily a developer-focused event, several announcements had direct implications for consumers, including the introduction of free software versions, discounted operating systems, and new features for existing products. The event occurred shortly after the appointment of new CEO Satya Nadella and followed the recent announcement of Office for iPad, signaling a shift in Microsoft’s approach to cross-platform compatibility and developer engagement.
Key announcements at Build 2014 included a free version of the Windows operating system for small devices, a significant price reduction for Windows 8.1 licenses for PC makers, and the preview of a new touch-optimized version of Office. The conference also detailed the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update, featuring the new Cortana voice assistant and a redesigned Skype application. Furthermore, Microsoft unveiled plans for universal applications that would run across multiple Microsoft platforms, including Windows Phone, PC, and Xbox One, and introduced a new Start Menu for Windows 8.1. These developments were presented as part of Microsoft's effort to win back developer support and compete in a market increasingly dominated by mobile platforms like Android and iOS.
Free Windows for Small Devices
One of the most significant consumer-focused announcements at Build 2014 was Microsoft's decision to offer a free version of its Windows operating system. This version is specifically targeted at devices with screens under 9 inches. The move is a direct response to the competitive landscape, where Android and iOS have become dominant in the mobile and small-form-factor device markets. By eliminating the licensing cost for this segment, Microsoft aims to increase the adoption of Windows on smaller tablets and other compact devices.
The free operating system was referred to by Microsoft as “Windows for Internet of Things.” As part of this offering, the company is also including a free one-year subscription to Office 365. This strategy is part of a broader effort to make Windows more competitive on low-cost hardware, which includes devices competing with Google Chromebooks and low-cost Android tablets. Previously, Microsoft had charged PC makers $50 per Windows 8.1 license. At Build 2014, it was also announced that Microsoft had recently cut the price of Windows 8.1 licenses by 70 percent for some PC makers, further reducing barriers to entry for affordable devices.
Windows 8.1 Update and Pricing Adjustments
Alongside the free version for small devices, Microsoft announced the Windows 8.1 Update, a free collection of tweaks and changes for existing Windows 8.1 users. This update was designed to make the operating system more friendly to traditional mouse and keyboard users, a demographic that felt neglected during the initial push toward touch-centric interfaces. Key features of the update include the ability to boot users directly to the desktop instead of the Start Screen, and improvements to the overall user experience for non-touch devices.
The free update was scheduled to be rolled out to Windows 8.1 users in the week following the conference. This move was part of Microsoft's ongoing effort to refine the Windows 8.1 experience and address user feedback regarding its usability on traditional PCs. The update represented a step back toward the familiar desktop environment while maintaining the modern app capabilities introduced in Windows 8.
New Touch-Optimized Office Preview
Microsoft unveiled a preview of a new version of Office designed specifically for touchscreen use. This new version was described as “a work in progress” and shares a visual similarity with the Office application released for the iPad the previous week. The design prioritizes ease of use on touchscreens, featuring a simple bar at the top of the screen and leaving most of the screen area available for document viewing. Toolbars are sparsely populated with large, well-spaced buttons to facilitate easy finger selection.
While the design is optimized for touch, the preview shown at Build appeared more full-featured than the stripped-back iPad version. The familiar “Ribbon” user interface is still present but has been adapted to function better in a touch environment. This preview indicates Microsoft's commitment to providing a first-class Office experience across multiple platforms, including non-Windows devices, as demonstrated by the prior iPad release. The new Office touch interface is intended to make using Office on a touchscreen significantly easier.
Windows Phone 8.1 and Cortana
The Windows Phone 8.1 update was a major focus at the conference, introducing several new features. The most prominent is Cortana, a new voice-controlled assistant that shares its name and voice with the AI character from the Halo video game series. Cortana allows users to perform searches on Bing and execute tasks on their phone using voice commands. While positioned as a competitor to voice assistants from Apple, Google, and Samsung, the introduction of Cortana represents Microsoft's entry into this growing field.
The update also includes a significant redesign for Skype. The new Skype application allows users to initiate video calls directly from the home screen or menus using voice commands, such as “Skype, get [insert contact] on video.” This feature is similar to Apple's FaceTime. The new Skype app was scheduled to be available in the next few months, with a preview available in the Skype Store app when the free Windows 8.1 update was rolled out.
Universal Apps and Platform Unification
A core theme of Build 2014 was the unification of Microsoft's platforms for developers. Microsoft announced that the Windows Runtime (WinRT), the engine behind modern Windows apps, was now arriving on Windows Phone 8.1. This means WinRT is now the primary runtime developers should target for apps that run across phones, desktops, and even the Xbox One.
To support this, Microsoft introduced a new Universal App project for Visual Studio. This project allows developers to share both visual and non-visual code across multiple targets, simplifying the process of creating applications for the entire Microsoft ecosystem. This strategy aims to make it easier for developers to reach users on all Microsoft devices with a single codebase, thereby increasing the appeal of the Windows platform for app development.
The Return of the Start Menu
In response to user feedback, Microsoft announced the return of the Start Menu for Windows 8.1. The new Start Menu is a hybrid that combines elements of the Windows 7 menu with the Live Tiles from Windows 8. It is similar in size to the Windows 7 menu but features a column of miniature Live Tiles on one side.
Additionally, Microsoft demonstrated a new mode that allows modern Windows 8 apps to run on the desktop within their own windows, rather than being confined to the full-screen environment. This is a return to the traditional Windows desktop model and is intended to please keyboard and mouse users. The full-screen Start Menu and apps will still be available for users who prefer them, offering a choice between the old and new interfaces.
.NET Foundation and Open Source Initiatives
For the developer community, Microsoft announced the formation of the .NET Foundation, which will oversee open source projects for .NET. The foundation is backed by figures from the community, including Miguel de Icaza of Xamarin and Niels Hartvig of Umbraco. At the time of the announcement, operational details such as the governance model and membership structure were still being finalized, with plans to invite companies and community leaders to join in the coming months.
Another notable development was the introduction of true native code compilation for .NET, initially available for 64-bit Store apps. Furthermore, a session by Miguel de Icaza on using C# to build for iOS and Android drew a very large audience, indicating strong developer interest in cross-platform development tools, even within the context of a Microsoft conference. The high attendance for this session was seen as a significant indicator of the importance of iOS and Android to Microsoft's developer base.
Azure and Office 365 Integration
On the cloud side, Microsoft highlighted the integration of Azure and Office 365 into a unified platform, connected by Azure Active Directory. This combination was presented as an increasingly compelling one-stop platform for developers and businesses. The conference was largely received positively by attendees, who saw progress and greater clarity in Microsoft's platform direction, despite ongoing challenges in the PC market and mobile dominance by other platforms.
Conclusion
Microsoft Build 2014 marked a pivotal moment under new leadership, focusing on developer engagement and cross-platform strategy. For consumers, the announcements promised more accessible software, including a free Windows version for small devices, significant price reductions for PC makers, and a touch-optimized Office preview. The update to Windows Phone 8.1 introduced Cortana and a redesigned Skype, while the return of the Start Menu addressed long-standing user concerns. The introduction of Universal Apps and the .NET Foundation aimed to make development for the Microsoft ecosystem more efficient and open. Collectively, these initiatives represented Microsoft's effort to adapt to a changing market by making its platforms more flexible, developer-friendly, and consumer-accessible.