BUILD 2012 scheduled for after the Windows 8 launch

[Master Devwi]

The October 26 release of Windows 8 is rapidly drawing near, and many developers have been wondering whether or not Microsoft will hold another dev-centric conference before the launch. Earlier today, Microsoft officially announced BUILD 2012, the follow-up to last year’s BUILD conference which replaced the Professional Developers Conference (PDC) from years past. BUILD 2012 will be held at Microsoft’s main campus in Redmond, WA from October 30 through November 2, immediately following the launch of Windows 8.


BUILD is primarily focused on developers, but last year, Microsoft used the conference to officially unveil Windows 8 and release the Developer Preview. This year’s event will have a much wider focus, covering Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Azure, Windows Server 2012, and Visual Studio 2012, to name a few. While the late-October timeframe seems a bit last-minute for any consumer reveals, you never know what Microsoft might have in store.

The Redmond software giant promises to make BUILD 2012 “unlike anything we’ve held on our corporate campus in a long time.” The exact details are still under wraps – Microsoft kept it top secret until the last minute to avoid leaks last year – but registration will begin on August 8 at 8:00 a.m., which ties in nicely with the “8” theme.

Do you think there will be any consumer features at this year's BUILD?

[The Official Microsoft Blog]

[Mikerman]

Right now, Microsoft is hosting 1-2 day working conferences dedicated to devs. and application development for Win 8/Metro. The first day is spent, it appears, in a more lecture/demonstration format, ending the first day with a PC readying session, installing the Metro preview and app. development tools on the laptops of those attending; the second day is spent in app. development. These are being held throughout the U.S. and, if I recall correctly, outside the U.S. as well, and are free.