Can Microsoft Skype Translator Break the Human Language Barrier?Microsoft recently showcased a demo of the Skype Translator app. The demo included Skype VP Gurdeep Pall speaking in English with a German employee and the employee responding in her native language. To break the human language barriers, it must first improve upon the system's perceived limitations.
The July/August 2014 Issue of Better Software MagazineIn the latest issue of Better Software magazine, there are insightful articles covering a wide range of topics impacting the software delivery process. Feature articles explore the next wave of computing: mobile and wearable intelligent devices and the experiences and challenges they bring.
Is It Time to Buy a New Mobile Device?As technology continues to evolve each day, frequent announcements about new mobile devices have become the norm. All of these announcements mean the options are numerous, but it also can indicate a very open and confusing landscape—a landscape filled with questions.
Microsoft's Cortana Assistant Using Bing to Predict the World CupWe might finally have a successor to Paul the octopus. Microsoft's Cortana, which acts as a strong competitor to Apple's Siri companion, has predicted the last four World Cup games successfully. Its complex system that takes into account a handful of key metrics has the US team losing to Belgium.
Google Could Erase the Line between Web and Native AppsThe latest update to Android is going to make web-based applications more integrated with native apps, reducing the transition time when switching from one to the other. After awhile, you might not even know whether you're thumbing through the web or accessing an app that's native to your phone.
Will Apple's New Language Help Build High-Quality Mobile Apps?Apple's announcement of Swift, its new programming language, has lead to speculation that some of Swift's new features will improve app quality. Many developers have high hopes that Swift's Playground feature will facilitate faster app development and lead to higher-quality apps.
Domestication of Data at Agile Development/Better Software WestAt the Agile Development/Better Software Conference West, James Whittaker presented a keynote on the future of web-based data. When we want information, we still use searches and filter through results, as hunters. Whittaker says we should become gatherers and let context-based data come to us.
Microsoft’s Kinect Might Finally Find a Home on PhonesMicrosoft's Kinect hardware is looking to make the move to mobile phones this year, possibly giving the struggling tech new life. While Kinect wasn't successful in video games, PCs, or medical applications, taking advantage of this innovation on a much smaller scale is a tactic that could pay off.
