Microsoft has published a great guide for Windows 8 which gives you an overview of how the OS functionality can be used for businesses. I really like the last few slides as they explain all important keyboard shortcuts and swipes.

Windows 8.1 brings together everything you do across all your devices whether at work or on the go. Windows helps you stay productive and connected while mobile. Windows allows you to create a truly one of a kind experience that is made for the way you work. Whether you’re brand new to Windows 8.1, or just want a refresher, this quick guide will show you the basics and beyond.

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40895

I’m back from vacation and it seems that in the last 3 weeks loads has going on! Microsoft has introduced Project Sienna which is a great tool for the LOB to create applications for Windows 8. Actually it’s a WYSIWYG Editor which helps to easily create a GUI for accessing data. On the TechNet blog you’ll find detailed Information and a great Video which Shows the power of Sienna. Please follow the link to TechNet to learn more.

Link: TechNet

Microsoft has updated all Clients for Yammer including Windows, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad and Android. You’ll get loads of new Features which you can all find on the Yammer blog.

Source: https://about.yammer.com/yammer-blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/windows-phone-inbox.png

Link:  TechNet

Microsoft has announced a new feature within Office 365 called “Office 365 Message Encryption”. This enables you to send encrypted emails to any other mail service. Check the Office 365 blog for more Details. The article explains how to Setup the new Feature. Good read. There is also a FAQ section which includes:

FAQ:

Q. When will Office 365 Message Encryption be available?

A. Office 365 Message Encryption will be available for purchase during the first quarter of 2014, and customers who are currently using Exchange Hosted Encryption (EHE) will be upgraded to Office 365 Message Encryption beginning in the same timeframe. EHE customers can learn more about the upgrade by visiting the EHE Upgrade Center.

Q: How do I get Office 365 Message Encryption?

A: Office 365 Message Encryption will be available as part of Windows Azure Rights Management. Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E4 users will get Office 365 Message Encryption at no extra cost. We’re including it in Windows Azure Rights Management, which is already part of the E3 and E4 plans. We’re also including it in the standalone version of Windows Azure Rights Management, without raising the price of that service. Office 365 Message Encryption is available as an add-on for other Office 365 plans and for standalone plans. For example, Exchange Online Kiosk Plan 1 and Plan 2 customers will be able to add the service to their subscriptions at a cost of $2 per user per month.

Office 365 Message Encryption is also available to Exchange on-premises customers who purchase Windows Azure Rights Management service. Office 365 Message Encryption requires on-premises customers to route email through Exchange Online, either by using Exchange Online Protection for email filtering or by establishing hybrid mail-flow.

Q. I am currently an Exchange Hosted Encryption (EHE) Subscriber. What happens to my subscription?

Customers who are currently using Exchange Hosted Encryption (EHE) will be upgraded to Office 365 Message Encryption beginning in the first quarter of 2014. EHE customers can learn more information about the upgrade by visiting the EHE Upgrade Center.

Q. How does Office 365 Message Encryption relate to other encryption technologies?

A. A variety of encryption technologies work together in Office 365 to provide protection for emails at rest and in transit:

• TLS encrypts the tunnel between mail server to help prevent snooping/eavesdropping.
• SSL encrypts the connection between mail clients and Office 365 servers.
• BitLocker encrypts the data on the hard drives in the datacenter so that if someone gets unauthorized access to the machine they can’t read it.
• Information Rights Management. Windows Azure Rights Management in Office 365 prevents sensitive information from being printed, forwarded, or copiedby unauthorized people inside the organization.
• S/MIME is an encryption scheme that uses client-side encryption keys, popular for some government B2B scenarios. Read more about the upcoming S/MIME enhancements in Office 365 here.

Office 365 Message Encryption is designed to help you send confidential messages to people outside your company simply and securely, without the administrative overhead required to use S/MIME or similar technologies. It’s an outside-the-company companion to Information Rights Management, which is why it’s included as part of the Windows Azure Rights Management offering.

Link: http://blogs.office.com/b/office365tech/archive/2013/11/21/introducing-office-365-message-encryption-send-encrypted-emails-to-anyone.aspx

When I started at Microsoft a month ago I received a Surface RT and a Surface Pro. The Surface Pro is a fully Business enabled device which can be integrated in the Active Directory and which can run all Windows Desktop apps. The Surface Pro is pretty fast as it contains a Intel Core processor but when I received the new Surface Pro 2 last week based on the Haswell processor I couldn’t stop smiling. The devices is even faster and a complete boot takes only a few seconds. I’ve recorded a quick Video. If you’re interested just click the link.

Link: SkyDrive

Microsoft Press has published a new article on it’s blog about a free Windows 8.1 ebook. The book should should help IT professional to get a technical overview of Windows 8.1. Please visit the Microsoft Press blog to get Access to the ebook.

Link: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2013/10/14/free-ebook-introducing-windows-8-1-for-it-professionals.aspx

A new article on virtualization.com refers to new reference architecture documents available from Microsoft. Both documents include a blueprint for a secure, multi-tenant desktop hosting infrastructure based on Windows Server 2012 and System Center 2012 SP1 Virtual Machine Manager. To learn more please visit virtualization.com or download the documents directly from the Microsoft website.

Link: http://virtualization.info/en/news/2013/10/paper-microsoft-desktop-hosting-reference-architecture-guides.html

Direct Link: Desktop Hosting Reference Architecture Guide | Windows Azure Desktop Hosting Reference Architecture Guide

Microsoft has released the third update of the Lync client for Windows Phone and iOS on iPad and iPhone. The downloads are now available from the platforms app stores. The new update delivers two main improvements which includes the ability to join a Lync meeting without having a Lync account and and starting a unscheduled meeting with multiple participants from a mobile device. The Lync team had published a more detailed blog post with screenshots. Please follow the link to the official Lync blog.

Link: http://blogs.technet.com/b/lync/archive/2013/10/08/new-features-available-for-windows-phone-iphone-and-ipad-lync-mobile-apps.aspx

DELL has announced two new tablets based on Windows 8.1. The Venue 11 Pro is a tablet which works in three different ways: As a typical tablet, snapped into a keyboard dock to use it as a laptop or remotely connected to a TV or monitor. The Venue 11 has a 10.8” screen with a 1920x1200pixel resolution. It comes with either a Bay Trail CPU for low profile users, or a Core-i for running full desktop programs like Microsoft Word. DELL ships the device with 8 GB RAM and up to 256 GB storage.

Link: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/02/dell-venue-pro-8-and-pro-11-hands-on/