Liveblog: Microsoft Build 2015 Keynote Address

The first of two scheduled Keynote addresses kicks off Build 2015, Microsoft’s annual developer conference at the venerable Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

Last year, Microsoft generated a lot of buzz with Windows Phone 8.1, a big, and somewhat controversial update for a mobile platform that would experience a significant amount of growth. Certain features that made the Windows Phone experience truly unique were the OS-built-in connections with social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The update to version 8.1 put a wedge in that feature set, with Microsoft opting to work those solutions through distinct application updates. The rationale was simple, to enable easier updates to the underlying mobile operating system.

Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, made the point last year to stress the company would thrive in a “mobile first, cloud first” world. Microsoft has pursued that vision well, even if it was not in the manner some of us initially thought it would be.

In lieu of a sole focus on the Windows platform, the company steered many of its core products, particularly Office, OneDrive, and OneNote to be accessible across all the major mobile platforms while providing a largely consistent user experience. Coupled with ever more attractive packages like Office 365, Office Online, and healthy chunks of cloud storage, Microsoft is indeed situated quite well in the mobile space as a whole, Windows Phone notwithstanding.

We are looking forward to seeing more about HoloLens, Windows 10, Xbox, and more. The Keynote Address will run for two-and-a-half or three hours. It is sure to be chock full of great announcements.

We will bring everything we can to you from San Francisco. Keep a browser window open just for us! Microsoft Build 2015 Keynote Address is scheduled to begin at 8:30am PT | 10:30pm CT | 11:30pm ET | 4:30pm GMT!