8 Ongoing Projects Making Microsoft Cool Again

Microsoft is doing something really cool things for the past decade. Specially, under the leadership of Satya Nadela. The new Surface PC is the proof.

But, there are a lot more things that Microsoft is working on which is aimed at revolutionizing our lives. Here is a small list of them.

1. DNA Storage

It is a new digital storing technology that aims to store a BILLION TBs of data in a gram of material. Such storage devices will allow our phones, PCs and even smartwatches to have billions of TBs of data storage capacity. 

We have covered the topic extensively under the article, How DNA Storage will Revolutionize Digital Storage?

Below is the video explaining the DNA Storage technology:

2. Hololense

Hololense is an augmented reality device. It adds virtual things in your physical reality that you can interact and control by your voice or physical gestures. For instance, you can 'pick up' a virtual object and stick it on a wall. There many usages of Hololense including medical, gaming and day-to-day life usages.

The video gives pretty much a comprehensive idea what the Hololense is all about. It can revolutionize things up, only if Microsoft gets all these things in reality without having to wear the glasses. Everyone knows what happened to the Google Glass. People will be willing to wear it as a tool at their work, if it turns out to be really useful and vital. Otherwise, no matter how much useful it could be, lack of practicality could kill it too. So, lookout Microsoft and make it in a way that people would use it for real.

3. Solving Cancer

Yes, solving cancer.

And this is included in a technology list because Microsoft is addressing the problem from a technological point of view not the biological which most Pharma labs do.

Microsoft's researchers and computer scientists are using algorithms and super computers to understand how cancer cells grow and then give those information to the labs and doctors that will help them understand their patients better which consequently allow better treatments.

Moreover, what Microsoft itself is calling as "Moonshot efforts", they are trying to devise a technology that will enable them to program cells to fight all types of diseases including cancer.

Whenever this becomes reality, billions of lives will be saved.

More information on the official website.

4. Holodeck

It sounds similar to Hololense, but is slightly different and has little to do with Augmented Reality. Holodeck is integrated with the Xbox and essentially turns your entire wall or room into a giant screen on which you can play games or watch videos. The video below will give you better idea:

5. LightSpace

The LightSpace technology turns any surface and the empty space between the surfaces into an interactive object. Surface of your table becomes a giant touch screen surface which you can use as a giant tablet. Also, you can move the files from your table to the wall by just physically touching the wall. Your body and gestures are constantly tracked and its interpretations by the computers makes various decisions about what that actions means. Thus, LightSpace allows you to physically interact with virtual things without having to wear the heavy Hololense.

See the video below for more details:

6. OmniTouch 

Microsoft seems to be doing a lot with augmented reality.

OmniTouch is very much similar to the LightSpace, except it comes with you. LightSpace is made for your office where the device hangs from the ceiling. While the OmniTouch comes with you looking down from your shoulder at everything you look at. It can project interactive images on any surfaces including wall, paper and your skin. It also looks easy to use in the video.

This is again not very practical and I can't imagine people wearing such a devide on their shoulder everywhere. Mobile phones are far easier. Heck, even Hololense is easier than an OmniTouch device. But, these are the beginnings and it shows the potential of a technology that could enter our everyday life in some other way.

Here is the video explaining the OmniTouch:

7. SkinPut
This is something new that I didn't thought was possible.

First tap your one arm by the finger of another arm. Now, tap the palm of one hand by the finger of another hand.

Done?

Every time you do this, there are small and unique vibrations happening. The SkinPut device recognizes them and according to the unique vibrations, it discerns the meaning of your tap. Meaning, if you tapped your finger, it will change the song and if you tapped your wrist it will decrease the sound.

Who knew such this was possible!

It also means, your hand becomes your remote control for games.

You are required to wear the device around your arm at the moment. But, in future it could be embedded into your watch and voila! You are tapping all over your body to order your smartphone, smart car and smart home!

That would look really weird though.

Here is the video explaining SkinPut technology.

Also, did you notice what they did with the naming? Input, Sk-input. Clever.

8. Skype Translator

Google Translator looks puny and ancient against what Skype Translator can do.

Skype can translate voice and video calls LIVE in 8 different languages. That means, when you randomly call a person in China through Skype call and start talking, the person on the other end will hear you in Chinese LIVE. Same thing happens when he speaks in Chinese and you hear it in excellent English, again, LIVE.

Language barrier, DESTROYED.

Potential benefits, UNIMAGINABLE.

Because, different languages are causing a lot of people to stay in their countries or regions and don't get enough recognition just because they speak less popular language. Via this technology, anyone will be able to communicate with anyone. A poor farmer in India only knowing Hindi will be able to ask a Soil Expert in America about what he could do to improve the soil fertility.

And Microsoft can earn forever by allowing Telecom companies to integrate this technologies in live conversations.

I can't even begin what a different world we will be living in once this technology enters our day to day life. Until then, take a look at the video that kinda gives a glimpse of that awesome future.

As another feature, Skype Translator can also convert instant messages in 50 languages in live chat. Awesome.

In essence, Microsoft is doing some serious world changing work.

Other than these, Microsoft is also working on AI, Computer Vision, Health, Quantum Computing, Human Computer Interaction, etc. projects.

I just hope that Google, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft competes directly each other to become the Most Innovative Company of the Century and the chances are we will already have developed ways to evade the Death itself before the century ends.