Category: Windows Phone

Mar022018March 2, 2018August 18, 20180Commentby Thomas Maurer
What is in my bag for the Microsoft MVP Summit 2018

What is in my bag for the Microsoft MVP Summit 2018

Posted in Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft MVP, Surface, Windows, Windows Phone

Soon again I am on my way to the Microsoft MVP Summit 2018 in Redmond. The Microsoft MVP Summit is the yearly, multi-day event, which is hosted at the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond and in Bellevue. The event brings a large catalog of technical sessions and variety of networking opportunities. The Microsoft MVP Global Summit enables MVPs from around the world to connect with each other, build relationships with Microsoft product managers, learn about upcoming technology and products, and provide feedback on Microsoft products and services.

If I remember correctly this I my 7th MVP Summit, which I can attend. I am really looking forward as always and I am sure it is going to be great fun.

Obviously you need to pack some stuff, to make the best out of the week. Especially since you need to take a lot of notes, and also work on some projects remotely. Besides my clothes and my running shoes, I also pack my latest tech stuff.

What is in my bag for the Microsoft MVP Summit 2018

What is in my bag for the Microsoft MVP Summit 2018

  • Surface Pro – As my daily driver I will bring my Microsoft Surface Pro, which is a perfect travel companion, since it is a small and light devices. As you may know, I also love to take notes in OneNote using the Surface Pen. The battery life should bring me more less through a day of work at the event.
  • The Surface Pen  – The Surface Pen is one of my favorite Surface peripherals to take handwritten notes during sessions.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – After Microsoft really holds back on the Windows 10 Mobile investments. I decided to Switch to a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The Note 8 looks beautiful, has a great camera, a Pen for OneNote. It also has enough battery life to bring me trough a long day.
  • Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse – The Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse is my absolut favorite travel mouse. I am using a Microsoft Arc mouse since the first version and I am happy with the integrations Microsoft made.
  • Bose Quiet Comfort 35 – The best travel Headphones I have ever owned. I like the new wireless capabilities and the noise canceling is perfect when you are stuck on a long flight.
  • Samsung Gear S3 Frontier – Around my wrist I am currently wearing a Samsung Gear S3 Frontier smartwatch, which helps me track my runs on Samsung health
  • Microsoft Surface Adapters – Of course I bring a bunch of Surface Pro adapters, since you never know if you need to connect your Surface to a big screen.
  • Microsoft Surface Power Adapter – This is a thing I really started to like. The Surface Power Adapter not only allows you to charge your Surface, but the extra USB port also allows you to charger your phone or another USB device at the same time.
  • Next to that, I will bring some cables, sunglasses, even I might not really need them in the Seattle area this time of the year, and a bunch of other stuff you need during an event.

Old Times

By the way it is funny to see, how the inside of my bag change over the years. I wrote a similar blog post for the Microsoft MVP Summit in 2013. When I was carrying a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 and a Lumia 920.

Bag for Microsoft MVP Summit


Jun282016June 28, 2016January 7, 20190Commentby Thomas Maurer
SCU Europe 2015 Azure Pack

Speaking at System Center Universe Europe 2016 in Berlin

Posted in Events, Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft MVP, Office 365, PowerShell, Speaking, System Center, Virtualization, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Server

I am proud to announce that I will speak at System Center Universe Europe 2016 Conference at August 24-26 in Berlin. System Center Universe is a community conference with a strong focus on systems management and virtualization topics such as cloud, datacenter and modern workplace management.  We present top content with top presenters around Microsoft Windows Server, System Center, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Microsoft Hyper-V and more and want to build the number one conference for those kind of topics across Europe.

I was happy to speak in the past three events at SCU Europe, check out my recaps:

I will speak in two breakout sessions, early morning discussion and I am also part of the ask the experts area for Cloud and Datacenter.

SCU Europe

The best of Windows Server 2016

Join this session for the Best of Windows Server 2016 — The New Foundation of your Datacenter. You’ll be one of the first to know about new, exciting improvements that are coming in Windows Server 2016 and how they’ll improve your day-to-day job. In this hour-long presentation Thomas Maurer (Microsoft MVP) will guide you through the highly anticipated innovations including:

•Hyper-V 2016 features

•Nano Server

•Storage Spaces Direct

•Storage Replica

•Windows Server Containers

•And more!

SCU Europe

What's new in Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V

With the next version of Microsoft hypervisor Microsoft released some great new features for your Cloud infrastructure. Come to this session to get the details of all the new stuff that is in Hyper-V and learn about how you can play with it “hands-on.” This session includes also the latest updates from the Technical Previews.

SCU Europe

Nano Server and Containers better together!

Have a look at the latest Cloud Technologies from Microsoft. Learn about the next Microsoft Cloud Platform Server called Nano Server and Windows Containers. Both solutions are built for the future and will fundamentally change how we do IT. Learn why we need Nano Server and Windows Containers and how we deploy, manage and operate them.

SCU Europe

You can expect a top quality conference with top quality content. During the conference you have many options to learn and connect. Beside learning we guarantee that you will also have a lot of fun at our parties and make new friends. Here we go with a list of available options you have during the conference:

  • 3 conference days
  • 75+ breakout sessions
  • 1 Keynote session
  • 1 Closing session
  • 1 Pre-Party session
  • 5 parallel tracks
  • Lots of Microsoft MVPs on site
  • Ask the experts area
  • Exhibition area (partners)
  • 1-to-few side meetings
  • Top WiFi infrastructure
  • Power available everywhere
  • Food & beverages
  • Networking Party
  • Closing Party
  • Good connected historical city
  • Hotels near the venue

It is going to be a great conference with a lot of skilled people and a lot to learn and of course a lot of fun. So hopefully see you in Berlin!


Dec062015December 6, 2015January 7, 20194Commentsby Thomas Maurer
Microsoft Display Dock HD-500

First view on the Microsoft Display Dock HD-500 and Windows 10 Continuum for Phones

Posted in Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Surface, Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox

Some days ago I received my new Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, which is one of the first phones with Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft also created some new cool accessories, such as the Microsoft Display Dock HD-500. The Microsoft Display Dock allows you to connect your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL using a USB-C cable and adding a keyboard and mouse and connect it to a bigger screen. Windows Universal Apps such as for example, Mail, Outlook, Office, Edge, File Explorer and several others scale up on the connected screen like they would run on a desktop computer running Windows 10. This Windows 10 Mobile feature is called Continuum for Phones and it allows you to use your phone as a desktop PC. This is great for example think about it, you only carry your phone and when you need to do some real work you can connect it to mouse, keyboard and screen and you have a desktop ready to use.

Microsoft Display Dock

Display Dock Connections

The Microsoft Display Dock HD-500 has a USB-C Port for connecting and charging your phone, 1 powered and 2 full-sized USB 2.0 ports to connect keyboard, mouse, USB drives or external drives, a HDMI and a Display-Port for connecting the screen or beamer. The device supports a resolution up to Full HD (1920×1080).

Microsoft Display Dock HD-500 Lumia 950 XL

Continuum for Phones

Continuum for Phones makes it possible to use this feature. Now Continuum for Phone also works wirelessly using Miracast for example with the Microsoft Display Adapter or even using the Xbox One with the Wireless Display App (right now for Preview Members only). You can also connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to your phone, so you can use this feature completely wireless.

Continuum for Phones

Continuum for Phones has also some limitations, right now it only supports Windows Universal Apps and no Win32 apps or old Windows Phone Apps.

Some apps which work with Continuum for Phones:

  • Mail
  • Calendar
  • File Explorer
  • Photos
  • OneNote
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Messages
  • Maps
  • MSN Money
  • MSN Sports
  • MSN News
  • Alarm and Clock
  • Groove Music
  • Movies & TV
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Xbox
  • Facebook
  • Fitbit
  • Cortana
  • Camera

I am sure a lot of developers are working on porting apps to the Windows Universal App Platform and make them available on several devices. Continuum for Phones is one of the best examples how Windows 10 and the Windows Universal Apps will improve the Windows Ecosystem. I think for some people and even employees, Windows 10 Mobile phones could replace the desktop PCs, since you have a lot of great Universal Apps for Mail, Office and other Offices tasks. If Microsoft makes a Universal App for Remote Desktop available you can even have a full desktop, with full desktop apps on your phone while docked to a screen. And with the new Mobile device Management options in Windows 10 Mobile, this can be perfectly managed by enterprises. They can also implement the Microsoft Windows Store for Business on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile.


Nov292015November 29, 2015September 2, 20180Commentby Thomas Maurer
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

First Impressions of the new Microsoft Lumia 950 XL – Microsoft did not compromise

Posted in Hardware, Microsoft, Office 365, Windows, Windows Phone

For the past year I was using the Nokia Lumia 930 and the Lumia 1520 and I was really waiting for a new Windows Phone flagship. Microsoft finally released the Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL last week in several countries including Switzerland. I am one of the lucky few, who got one last Friday and had the chance to test it over the weekend.

Lumia 950 Lumia 950 XL

First of all I was using Windows 10 Mobile for a while on my Lumia 930 and the Lumia 1520, so there are not a lot of surprise for me here. I a really like Windows 10 Mobile, it still looks a lot like the first Windows Phone 7 and 8 versions but it looks a little bit cleaner and more mature. Especially the built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, People, Office and the MSN apps go a total redesign and a lot of new features.

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and Surface Book

So here are some of my first impressions of the device:

First thing you notice the device feels and looks, like a lot of the recent Microsoft devices, a like a high quality premium device, and Microsoft did not compromise on features. You basically get everything you ever wanted in a device.

  • You get a amazing 5,7-Zoll-Quad-HD AMOLED ClearBlack Display (2560 x 1440 Pixel and 518 ppi) which just looks gorgeous.
  • You get one of the fastest mobile processors out there: the Snapdragon 810 Octa-Core 2,0 GHz. With that Windows 10 Mobile
  • One of the greatest thing about the Lumia Smartphones always were the cameras. Especially since the Lumia 1020 you always had a great camera. And with the Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL you definitely get a perfect mobile phone camera. For me the camera of my mobile phone is very important since I take my mobile everywhere and take pictures with it. The camera of the Lumia 950 XL is just amazing, especially in difficult low light situations. If you are looking for a phone with an absolutely great camera you should definitely have a look at the latest Lumias. The main camera is a 20.0 MP, Auto focus with two-stage capture key, 6-lens optics, aperture: f/1.9, Backside-illuminated image sensor, PureView, True 16:9 sensor, Fast Focus, High resolution zoom and 4K Video support. For the front-facing camera you get a Full HD 5 MP wide angle camera with a aperture: f/2.4, perfect for selfies.
  • You get also the following features:
    • Glance Screen
    • Wireless charging
    • Fast charging
    • Replaceable battery (3340 mAh)
    • 32GB internal Memory
    • Micro-SD card support
    • 3GB of RAM
    • USB-C 3.1 connector
    • Great antenna technology
    • Dual SIM option
    • Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, SensorCore
    • Corning Gorilla Glass 4
    • Super sensitive touch display
    • Bluetooth 4.1
    • NFC: Pairing, Secure NFC for payment, Sharing, Tagging
    • WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO, Wi-Fi call
    • Wi-Fi hotspot: Up to 8 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
    • AV connectors: 3.5 mm stereo headset connector, DisplayPort over USB-C
    • and a lot more…
  • You also get the full Microsoft Office suite with OneNote, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Which is great especially if you are using it to edit your documents or present it to other on the go.

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Windows Continuum 3

  • Windows 10 Continuum: One of the biggest new features of Windows 10 Mobile. Windows 10 Continuum let’s you connect your phone to a bigger screen and use it as a light Windows 10 desktop together with a keyboard and mouse. You can use Continuum using the Continuum dock or wireless. Unfortunately I don’t have Display Dock right now, so I could only test Continuum using the wireless connection using my Xbox One which worked great. You can also use the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter to connect your phone and use it with Windows 10 Continuum. Right now Windows 10 Continuum only Windows 10 Universal apps, like Mail, Calendar, Photos, Office and others. If you think about this feature, this is something Windows 10 can really be unique and may replace a computer for some people and employees out there.

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Windows Hello

  • Another very cool Windows 10 feature is Windows Hello. This is also included in the desktop version of the OS and it allows you to login using fingerprints, face recognition or in the case of the Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL Iris face recognition. You just have to press your the power on button and the camera try to recognize your iris, and if it can, it will log you in, without the need of a PIN or password.

I think, with the Lumia 950 XL, Microsoft didn’t compromise on anything here. Microsoft just built a phone with all the features people requested. I really like the phone, the new Windows 10 features like Continuum and especially the camera.

Here a picture of the Lumia 930, Lumia 950 and the Lumia 1520:

Lumia 930 950 1520

I also got the Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard which is a perfect companion to your Microsoft Lumia 950 with Windows 10 Continuum :

 

 

 

 


Oct062015October 6, 2015October 6, 20150Commentby Thomas Maurer
Surface Book

Microsoft just announced some awesome Devices

Posted in Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Surface, Windows, Windows Phone

Microsoft just announced some awesome devices at their Windows 10 Devices event in New York. Here is a quick list of the devices Microsoft announced today:

HoloLens

HoloLens

First they showed HoloLens and showed how gaming could look like with HoloLens. Microsoft announced that, the HoloLens Development Editions will be available in Q1 2016 for $3000. Developers can now apply for their HoloLens Developer Editions.

Microsoft Band 2

Microsoft Band 2

Next up, Microsoft showed the new version of the Microsoft Band, which will be connected to Microsoft Health. The new Microsoft Band 2 comes with a new curved and improved AMOLED screen, it has a battery life of 48 hours, is charged in 1.5 hours and has all the great features the first version of the Microsoft Band already had, like activity tracking, sleep tracking, notifications, GPS and much more. It now also comes with barometer and Cortana integration.

  • Optical heart rate sensor
  • 3-axis accelerometer/gyro
  • Gyrometer
  • GPS
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Skin temperature sensor
  • UV sensor
  • Capactive sensor
  • Galvanic skin response
  • Microphone
  • Barometer

Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

Microsoft announced two new Windows Phones or Windows 10 Mobile flagship devices. Finally there is a new Windows Phone flagship which brings amazing features and specs. The Lumia 950 has a 5.2 inch Quad HD and the Lumia 950 XL has a 5.7 inch Quad HD screen. Both phones come with a 20MP PureView camera with Triple LED Natural Flash, UBS-C Type Connector and Fast Charging support which will charge your phone in 30 minutes to 50%. Using a small dock, you can hock up the phone to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, this lets you run Windows Universal Apps like on a PC. Here some more specs and highlights:

Both phones have:

  • Windows 10
  • Camera: 20.0 MP, Natural flash
  • Front-facing Camera: Full HD 5MP wide angle
  • Display: WQHD (2560 x 1440) , AMOLED, ClearBlack
  • 32GB Mass Memory
  • 200GB SD Card slot (up to 2TB)
  • 4G LTE
  • Touchscreen technology: Super sensitive touch
  • Exchangeable back cover
  • Glance screen
    Tactile feedback
    Voice commands
  • Nano SIM
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • NFC (Pairing, Secure NFC payment, sharing, tagging)
  • WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Support for Windows Hello
  • Glance Screen
  • Wireless Charging
  • Fast Charging
  • Continuum for Phones

Lumia 950

Lumia 950

  • Screen: 5.2 ”, WQHD (2560 x 1440) , AMOLED, ClearBlack
  • Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 , Hexa core , 1800 MHz

Lumia 950 XL

Lumia 950 XL

  • Screen: 5.7 ”, WQHD (2560 x 1440) , AMOLED, ClearBlack
  • Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 , Octa core , 2000 MHz

Surface Pro 4

Surface Pro 4

Microsoft announced the successor of the Surface Pro 3. The new Surface Pro 4 has kind of the same dimension as the Surface Pro 3 but comes with a 12.3” PixelSense display has extremely high contrast and low glare, giving you a picture rivaling real life. It is not only more powerful and lighter than ever before at 1.69lbs (766 grams) and with with a 6th Gen Intel® Core™ M3, i5, and i7 processors, it’s also quieter and runs cooler than ever before. It will also support a new pen and display technology which is called PixelSense.

  • Windows 10 Pro
  • TPM Chip
  • Processor: 6th Gen Intel® Core™ M3, i5, or i7
  • Memory: 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD
  • Graphics: M3: Intel® HD graphics 515, i5: Intel® HD graphics 520, i7: Intel® Iris™ graphics
  • Wireless: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
  • Size: 11.50″ x 7.93″ x 0.33″ (292.10mm x 201.42mm x 8.45mm)
  • Weight: M3: 1.69lbs (766 grams), i5: 1.73lbs (786 grams), i7: 1.73lbs (786 grams)
  • Ports: Full-size USB 3.0
    microSD™ card reader
    Headset jack
    Mini DisplayPort
    Cover port
    SurfaceConnect
  • Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
  • Support for Windows Hello (using Iris Scanner)

Surface Pro 4 Type Cover

Surface Pro 4 Type Cover

Along with the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft also announced the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover in two versions, one without fingerprint reader and one with a fingerprint reader which can be used with the Surface Pro 3. The new Type Cover should have highly improved keys and a larger trackpad. It is also backlit and it is lighter and thinner than the last version.

Surface Pro Docking Station

Surface Dock

Surface Dock instantly transforms your ultraportable Surface into a desktop PC. Simply plug in the SurfaceConnect cable to charge your device and access external monitors, a keyboard, mouse, and more. With two high-definition video ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 3.0 ports, and an audio output, you have all the connections you need. It also works with the Surface Pro 3 and the SurfaceBook.

Surface Book

Surface Book

The “one more thing” Microsoft announced today and which really surprised everybody was the Surface Book. The Surface Bookisthe first full laptop has arrived in the Surface family. Surface Book is a powerful laptop with a full sized, backlit keyboard for fast and natural typing. The 13.5” PixelSense display detaches easily from the keyboard to become a thin, light tablet that works perfectly with OneNote and Surface Pen. Turn the screen around and reattach it to use Surface Book like a creative canvas. By reconnecting it to the keyboard, you unlock its full creative power in a pen first mode. Surface Book is built to be a creative workhorse. Combining a 6th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with up to 16GB of memory and an optional discrete graphics chip.

  • Windows 10 Pro
  • TPM chip
  • Processor: 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 or i7
  • Memory: 8GB or 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. SSD
  • Graphics: i5: Intel® HD graphics 520 / i5/i7: NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Processor
  • Screen: 13.5” PixelSense™ display Resolution: 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) Aspect ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Wireless: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE802.11a/b/g/n compatible Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
  • Size: 12.30” x 9.14” x 0.51 – 0.90” (312.3mm x 232.1mm x 13.0 – 22.8mm)
  • Weight: Starting at 3.34 pounds (1,516 grams) including keyboard
  • Ports: Two full-size USB 3.0
    Full-size SD™ card reader
    SurfaceConnectTM
    Headset jack
    Mini DisplayPort
  • Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer
  • Support for Windows Hello

As far as I can see there is a lot of good feedback and Microsoft really announced some great devices.


Jul202015July 20, 2015June 17, 20198Commentsby Thomas Maurer
Windows 10 Task View

The best Windows 10 Features – Why you will love Windows 10

Posted in Home, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, PowerShell, Virtualization, Windows, Windows Phone, Windows Server, Xbox

Since the first release of the Windows 10 Preview in the Insider program, I was using the Technical previews on my Surface Pro 3, and it is excellent how Microsoft is improving Windows 10 over the last several months based on research and feedback from the Windows Insider program.

In some days, on July 29, Microsoft will release Windows 10 to the public, and here are some reasons why you will love Windows 10:

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge Browser

With Windows 10 Microsoft released a new browser called Microsoft Edge (before Project Spartan) which is amazingly fast and brings a lot of new features to the table such as Cortana Integration, Web notes which allow you basically draw your notes on websites and share them and Microsoft also promised to enable browser extensions. Secret: you can also switch from a Light Theme to a Dark Theme.

You can also check out the new edge insider preview here: Microsoft Edge Insider

Task View & Virtual Desktop

Windows 10 Task View

Most of the IT Pros reading this blog already knew about Task view in the previous version of Windows using WIN + TAB, but only a few other users did know about these features. Microsoft not only improved the Task view, but Microsoft also promoted it much better with an icon in the Taskbar.

In Windows 10 WIN + TAB does not only offer you Task View it also allows you to create and switch between Virtual Desktops. With Virtual Desktops, you can now finally create multiple workspaces on your PC, which should bring you the productivity boost you need. Secret: You can switch between different Desktops using the Shortcut: CTRL + WIN + ARROW (LEFT and RIGHT).

Hyper-V

Hyper-V vNext Runtime Memory Resize

Microsoft builds Hyper-V directly into the Windows Client since Windows 8. This is great if you want to run Virtual Machines on your Windows Client. Windows 10 Client Hyper-V brings you the excellent performance and features Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V will bring you. Of course, some features are only available in the server build of Hyper-V, but you get some great features such as Enhanced Session mode to copy & paste between your PC and your Virtual Machine. Secret: Windows 10 will allow you to run Hyper-V and use Connected Standby at the same time.

Read More

Jun112015June 11, 2015June 11, 20150Commentby Thomas Maurer
Xbox Music

12 reasons to use Xbox Music

Posted in Fun, Home, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox, Zune

This week Apple launched their own music streaming service called Apple Music to compete with others like Spotify and other services. One service which is not really known by the public is Microsoft Xbox Music, which is not only a streaming service but also has a bunch of other features as well.

The all-in-one music service

Xbox Music allows you to buy songs and albums or subscribe to Xbox Music Pass for unlimited access all your devices. Xbox Music is the only service that brings you millions of songs to discover, stream, download and own for your tablet, PC, Xbox phone, and the Web. It’s all the music you love, every way you want it

Xbox Music Pass

Xbox Music Pass

With Xbox Music Pass, get unlimited access to millions of songs. Stream or download as much as you like. Listen on your PC, tablet, phone, Xbox, and on the web. The Xbox Music Pass costs $9.99/Month and comes with a 30 days free trial.

Xbox Music Pass Features

Music across all your devices

Xbox Music Andorid Xbox Music iOS

Xbox Music works on your PC, tablet, Xbox 360, Xbox One, the web, and your phone, including Windows Phone, iOS, and Android devices.

Sync all your playlists across your devices

Using the Xbox Music service does sync all your playlists on all your devices over the air. No more syncing devices using cables.

Offline Available

You can not only stream songs to your devices, you can also download them to listen offline. This is perfect when you are on a plane or somewhere where you don’t have internet access.

Stream your own music from OneDrive

Xnox Music OneDrive

With Xbox Music and OneDrive you can stream your own music you already own on every device directly from OneDrive. Just upload your songs to the OneDrive Music folder and they will be available on all your devices.

Xbox Music Webplayer

Xbox Music Web Player

If you are not using your own computer, or you have a device where Xbox Music isn’t installed, you can simply logon to the Xbox Music Web Player to play songs in the web browser. This is perfect when you are the your friends computer and want to play some of your favorite playlists.

Radio Stations

If you like a song or an artists and you want to discover similar music you can simply use the Radio feature, which creates custom stations based on the artists you love.

My Music

Xbox Music not only works with streamed songs, it also manages music on your local devices as well. Easily manage and play all of the music from your collection right in the Xbox Music app, including songs purchased from iTunes or other services, playlists created with Xbox Music, or albums ripped from CD’s.

Xbox Music Store

The Xbox Music Store gives you 24/7 access to one of the largest music catalogs on the planet with over 18 million songs. Buy full albums or just your favorite songs.

Unlimited skipping

With an Xbox Music Pass subscription, enjoy unlimited skipping when listening to radio stations.

Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile

Xbox Music Universal App 2

With Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, launches a new cool Universal Windows App for all your Windows devices.

 

 


May012015May 1, 2015October 28, 20191Commentby Thomas Maurer
What is in my bag for Microsoft Ignite

What’s in my bag for Microsoft Ignite 2015

Posted in Fun, Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Surface, Windows, Windows Phone

In a couple of hours, I will catch my flight to Chicago with the rest of the itnetx team to join Microsoft Ignite 2015. I am looking forward to it and meet other enthusiasts around Microsoft Cloud solutions and of course, meeting with members of the Microsoft Product Group.

What is in my bag for Microsoft Ignite

  • My primary device is, of course, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, which I use as my 3-in-1 device, replacing my notebook, tablet, and desktop using the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station. Of course, it is running the latest Microsoft Windows 10 Insider Preview. Battery life I get is around 8 hours depending on what I am doing I get even some more.
  • As my day to day phone, I use the Nokia Lumia 930, which is just a perfect device with a great camera to take a picture from the place I travel to and listen to music.
  • Even I like the trackpad of the new Surface Pro 3 Type Cover, and I think I am more productive using a mouse. For that, I got the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition.
  • I also got some Bose Quiet Comfort 25 Audio Headphones to listen to music. I like them because the audio is excellent and they are light and comfortable to wear and the active noise canceling works just great, especially on long flights. The integrated microphone is also pretty important to Lync or Skype for Business calls.
  • When I am at a hotel, and I am working or writing some blog posts, I love to listen to music. For that, I use the Nokia MD-12 wireless Bluetooth speaker.
  • To get some extra power, if I need it, I use the Nokia DC-18 portable Micro USB Charger and a Microsoft Portable Power DC-21.
  • Of course, I am also carrying the Microsoft Band, which helps me tracks the steps I walk during Microsoft Ignite and the limited sleep I get during this event.
  • For presentations, I got a Microsoft Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI and VGA adapter as well as the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, which acts as a Miracast Receiver and is great for presentations.
  • I also carry a USB 3.0, but I don’t use a portable hard drive anymore since I got unlimited storage space on my OneDrive using Office 365.
  • You might think to charge all these devices I need a lot of different power adapters, well that’s not true. I use the power adapter of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, which also has a USB port for charging the phone, speaker, and other stuff.

I am looking forward to Ignite and meet some of you in Chicago.


Feb212015February 21, 2015February 21, 20150Commentby Thomas Maurer
Windows 10 Cortana

How to hide Cortana Search Box in Windows 10

Posted in Microsoft, Windows, Windows Phone

During the last Windows 10 event in January, Microsoft showed the Cortana integration in Windows 10 and with Windows 10 Technical Preview 2 (build 9926) Microsoft released it’s first public preview of Cortana for Windows 10. Cortana helps you to do a lot of great things and I am a huge fan since I am using Cortana on my Windows Phone. The problem I have with the integration is the huge text box Cortana uses. And I don’t really need that box since I use the Windows Key anyway to open search.

Windows 10 Cortana Search box

To disable or hide the Cortana Search Box simply right click on the Taskbar, select search and enable “Show search icon”.

 

Hide Windows 10 Cortana Search Box

Now you only see the Cortana Icon instead of the Cortana Search Box. You can still just start to type by pressing the Windows Key or clicking on the Cortana Icon.

Windows 10 Cortana Icon

 



  • About Thomas Maurer

    Thomas Maurer

    My name is Thomas Maurer. I am a Senior Program Manager & Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid at Microsoft. I am part of the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI) and engage with the community and customers around the world. Opinions are my own.

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