Build 2018: Everything Microsoft announced for its cloud service, Azure

Microsoft on Monday kicked off its annual developer's conference, Build 2018 in Seattle. As expected, the company made announcements focusing on emerging tech like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and machine learning. Microsoft made a slew of announcements for developers about its cloud computing platform, Azure.

To begin with, Microsoft is now open sourcing its Azure IoT Edge Runtime platform for developers. Microsoft's Azure IoT Edge service uses AI, Azure services and custom logic to deliver cloud intelligence locally on cross-platform IoT devices. The company says that connected smart devices are taking over homes and businesses globally with over 20 billion devices expected by 2020.

Microsoft will also enable devices like drones and industrial equipment to take quick actions without cloud connection through 'Custom Vision' which will now run on Azure IoT Edge. The company has partnered with drone maker DJI to create a new SDK for Windows 10 PCs. DJI's SDK will allow over 700 million Windows 10 connected devices to have full control and access real-time data.

Microsoft has also joined hands with Qualcomm for a vision AI platform on Azure IoT edge. Through this developers can create camera-based IoT solutions by using Azure services and hardware from Qualcomm Vision Intelligence Platform and AI Engine.

Project Kinect for Azure, the technology used in HoloLens will help develop insights and operations. Microsoft says that this platform "can input fully articulated hand tracking and high-fidelity spatial mapping" for new precision solutions.

In terms of cognitive developments, Microsoft showed a preview of Project Brainwave now available on Azure IoT Edge. Microsoft Azure also now has a unified Speech service which offers improved speech recognition and text-to-speech.

Microsoft Remote Assist will enable users to communicate remotely via hands-free video calling, image sharing and mixed-reality annotations. Users can also design mixed-reality spaces like room layouts, holograms which can be shared in real-time.

Microsoft's Visual Studio comes with 'Live Share' capability allowing developers to edit in real time with tools like Visual Studio 2017 and VS Code. Microsoft also announced a partnership with GitHub which integrates Visual Studio App Center on the platform. Lastly, the company has made available its 'Blockchain Workbench' for Microsoft Azure which will now make it easier for developers to build Azure-supported blockchain network.