From Windows 8.1 developments to a possible Surface Mini, next week's Microsoft Build conference promises fireworks.



From InformationWeek:

Microsoft Build, which begins June 26, will be the company's first major developers' conference to be held in San Francisco since 1997. Redmond's focus on the Bay Area would have been significant under any circumstance, as the tech-heavy region is home not only to many competing conferences, such as Apple's WWDC and Google's I/O, but also to one of the densest local populations of programmers in the world. But this month's event will carry even more weight due to the company's up-and-down year, which has included triumphs such as Office 365 and Azure as well as Windows 8's controversial and underperforming debut.

At Build, Microsoft will attempt to galvanize developer interest in both its soaring and struggling platforms, and to reshape the public narrative around the divisive response to Win8. Doing so will involve a variety of efforts during the conference's three days, and though Microsoft has likely kept some surprises under wraps, industry observers have spent months predicting what Build will bring. Here are seven things Microsoft could showcase next week in San Francisco.

  Microsoft Build: 7 Things To Expect