How to watch today's Microsoft Build Keynotes

Ever evolving and transforming, Microsoft is slated to kick off its Build 2018 Developers Conference back home in Seattle today. As the company reshapes to tackle its next areas of focus, today's keynotes will be indicative of the company's future focus. Expect to hear more about AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, App Development and of course, the future of Windows, Surface Devices and Windows on ARM.

Microsoft is livestreaming a number of its sessions, including its day one keynote that starts at 8:30 am PT here.

HP introduces EliteBook 705 series PCs and ProBook 645 notebooks

HP has unveiled its newest enterprise class workstations. The new HP EliteBook 705 series PCs offer enterprise-grade security and manageability, along with powerful collaboration features to keep business users connected. Powered by Windows 10 , and the innovative machine intelligence and powerful multitasking capabilities of AMD Ryzen PRO mobile processors, users can stay productive all-day with long battery life and HP Fast Charge to charge 50 percent of your battery in just 30 minutes.

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Fitbit's smartwatches now add quick reply functionality

One of the limitations of Fitbit devices is that they can receive notifications but while you can see a message and the sender, these aren't actionable. That's changing today with a new update which will allow quick replies. These will now have five preset responses as well as the ability to create a response provided it is under 60 characters in length. 

Fitbit's Ionic and Versa smart watches also have compatibility with Dexcom's app for Blood Glucose monitors, further expanding the focus on deeper health tracking functionality.

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Google Assistant now compatible with over 5,000 devices

Google's voice-powered assistant is now compatible with 5,000 devices. Showing that Google is growing its ecosystem to compete with Amazon's Alexa, which is has 12,000 can work with smart home devices from over 2,000 brands. Google Assistant can be accessed using smartphones, Google Home smart speakers, Wear OS devices and Chromebooks.

“Over the past year, we’ve made great progress ensuring that the Google Assistant can work with all types of connected devices, and now every major device brand works with the Assistant in the U.S.,” Google’s Michele Turner writes. She notes that the smart devices with which Google Assistant is compatible include “cameras, dishwashers, doorbells, dryers, lights, plugs, thermostats, security systems, switches, vacuums, washers, fans, locks, sensors, heaters, AC units, air purifiers, refrigerators, ovens [and more].”

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