The Maps team has been busy making improvements and adding new features to the Maps platform for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. In addition to performance and visual improvements to the 3D engine, we are introducing features requested by users, like the ability to import 3D models into the map and support for layering and binding for map elements. We also are making enhancements to the styling API to allow clients to specify base map styles and visual states for their own map elements. Finally, we are announcing a places API to see relevant information of a place right within the current context of the calling app.

Without further ado, please see the highlights below and keep your feedback coming!

3D Buildings

You might recall that some 3D buildings were missing in the previous release. We have been working hard since then to bring them back (and improve the ones that didn’t look correct) with this update.  Keep an eye out for more 3D buildings in the next few months!

3D Objects

We are adding a new MapElement called MapElement3D. Along with MapModel3D, this new API can be used to import and display 3D objects with ease. Think about fancy 3D push pins, cars, planes, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Here are some great examples of MapElement3D displaying 3D models at a specific location, orientation and scale on the Windows 10 Map Control:

Avatars

Cars

Clouds

Map Layering APIs

We also are adding a new MapLayer class, the first derivation of which is MapElementsLayer. Unlike the existing MapControl.MapElements API, this can be used to manipulate groups of elements independently as a unit or to designate a joint purpose.

Bind your data to the map using MapControl.Layers

You can bind elements on the map to your own custom collections of business objects with the Map Control.Layers API.

See How To: Display points of interest (POI) on a map.

Map Styling APIs extensions

We are extending the current set of Map Styling APIs for Windows 10 Map Control. In the previous release, we added the MapStylesheet API to allow you to dynamically change the look and feel of the map in real-time. In this release, we are adding support for two new properties on MapElement: MapStyleSheetEntry and MapStyleSheetEntryState, which can be used to more deeply customize the appearance of your map elements using one of the default style entries and states or custom ones.

See How To: Customize Your Map Elements

Here are some examples of the customization that can be done of map elements using the new styling extensions on the Windows 10 Map Control:

Integrate your elements better with the base map using MapStyleSheetEntry

You can make your map elements look like they are part of the base map by setting their style to an existing entry in the map style sheet such as Water. See MapStyleSheetEntry for the full list of entries you can chose from.

Bing logo is rendered by the Windows 10 Map Control through changing the map polygon’s MapStyleSheetEntry property to Water.

Implement states on your map elements using MapStyleSheetEntryState

You can further modify the appearance of your map elements by leveraging default states like Hover and Selected in the map style sheet, or override them to create your own. See MapStyleSheetEntriesStates for the full list of states you can chose from.

Bellevue Square, City Center and Meydenbauer POIs are rendered by the Windows 10 Map Control through overriding the scale of the existing UserPoint entry and changing the map icon’s MapStyleSheetEntryState property to a custom state that extends the existing Hover and Selected entry states.

Place Info

Finally, we are happy to announce the new PlaceInfo API that allows you to see rich relevant information of a place without the need of switching context, in a pop-up UI, right within your own app.

https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-universal-samples/tree/dev/Samples/MapControl

API Updates and Additions

For a list of the APIs added since Windows 10 Creators Update, please see here the following resources:

• MapElement: MapStyleSheetEntry, MapStyleSheetEntryState and Tag properties
• MapElement3D
• MapElementsLayer
• MapStyleSheetEntries
• MapStyleSheetEntryStates
• PlaceInfo

For more details on all new APIs go to MSDN.

Source: Windows Blog
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The Dell 24 Monitor helps boost productivity in more ways than one.
Learn More: https://dell.to/2ygKc1n

Source: Dell YouTube
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https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/playlink-ps4/

From quick-fire quizzes to immersive multiplayer experiences, PlayLink titles are all about games that everyone can enjoy. No need for multiple DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllers…you smartphone IS the controller!
Pop a game into your PS4 system, download the Companion App, pick up your smartphones, gather around your TV and prepare for a different experience!

Compatible mobile device and Companion App required. For more information, visit: www.playstation.com/playlinkcompatibility.

Compatible mobile device and Companion App required to play. For more information visit: www.playstation.com/playlinkcompatibility.

© Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. That’s You!, Hidden Agenda, FRANTICS and Knowledge is Power are trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Singstar is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS4” is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. “Greatness Awaits” is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.

Source: Playstation YouTube
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This Week on Windows, we’re celebrating a milestone, showcasing new Surface designer accessories and we’re showing off Middle Earth: Shadow of War! Head over here to learn more about Marimekko and Microsoft Surface, check out our Windows 10 Tip on how to work more efficiently with MyAnalytics or keep reading to see what’s new in the Windows Store.

In case you missed it:

Here’s what’s new in the Windows Store:

Middle Earth: Shadow of War

Go behind enemy lines to forge your army, conquer Fortresses and dominate Mordor from within. Experience how the award-winning Nemesis System creates unique personal stories with every enemy and follower, and confront the full power of the Dark Lord Sauron and his Ringwraiths. In the epic new story of Middle Earth: Shadow of War Gold Edition ($99.99), nothing will be forgotten.

 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, Episode 4

The fate of the Eternity Forge has been decided, but Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Episode 4 ($4.99; $19.99 for a Season Pass) from Telltale Games opens with the Guardians more bitterly divided than ever. This growing tension is temporarily sidelined, however, by a more pressing problem: escaping a dark and treacherous cavern before they all are eaten alive.

War for the Planet of the Apes

In the trilogy’s stunning final chapter, Caesar and his apes will face an army of humans on the battlefield in an epic confrontation that will determine the fate of both their species…and the fate of the planet itself. War for the Planet of the Apes is available now in the Movies & TV section of the Windows Store, two weeks before it comes to Blu-ray.

Have a great weekend!

Source: Windows Blog
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We are happy to announce the new Monetize -> In-app ads section in Windows Dev Center. This is your one stop shop to create and manage the ad mediation settings of your UWP and Windows 8.x ad units.

You can find the In-app ads section under the Monetize section in the left navigation. On choosing this option, you can view your in-app ads dashboard that lists all your ad units, along with additional details such as application name, ad unit type, mediation settings, etc.

On clicking the ‘Create ad unit’ button, you will be taken to a new page where you can specify the ad unit details, configure the ad mediation settings for the ad unit and submit. The ad unit will then appear on your in-app ads dashboard.

Do note that you no longer need to start a submission to be able to create an ad unit – simply reserve your app name and you will be able to create an ad unit for it.

If you wish to change the mediation settings of an existing ad unit, simply click on the ad unit, change the settings and save.

For more information on these new experiences, please refer to this article.

We hope you enjoy the new experience! Please send your feedback to [email protected].

Source: Windows Blog
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Since our very beginning, Surface has set out to inspire a generation of creators to do more, create more, be more productive, and have more fun. This is the heart of our mission in Surface; it started five years ago to create the most productive devices on the planet, to empower people to create. And now we believe nothing should stand in the way of bringing your ideas to life.

Surface has continued to evolve to bring customers even more of what they love in their next laptop. Beyond new magical experiences from Windows, Office, and other app partners that help people create in new ways with our innovative hardware, we want to celebrate the intersection of technology and design. You should feel proud to pull a Surface—the ultimate laptop—from your bag, wherever you are. And the influence of fashion, aesthetics, texture, and color make the technology more personal, an extension of your style and personality, like your favorite sweater, handbag, fragrance, and home accessory.

How did our design team set the strategy for the new intersection of technology and style? And how do global design companies think about the aesthetics and color in ways that can influence Surface? We’ll explore that today with one of our lead Surface designers, Quan Jasinski, and Sami Ruotsalainen, Senior Designer from our newest Surface accessory partner, Marimekko.

I first sat down with Quan who works nearby in our Surface design lab.

Eric: Hello, Quan and thanks for taking the time to speak with us. We all want to know how you decide on the next color or design for an accessory or device?

Quan: Color has many filters and it allows us the opportunity to share the emotional connection and offers a personal experience. Colors and materials are critical to craft this moment.

As designers at Microsoft, we love to use our hands and hearts when creating new products and experiences. We are consistently inspired by everything around us varying from consumer behavior, cultures merging, nature, architecture, art, science, fashion, sports, and the list goes on. Absorbing these experiences, we begin to understand how to create a holistic experience that merges technology into lifestyle.

Aqua is a soft and approachable color. When creating Aqua we drew inspiration from our natural surroundings which helped develop its friendly attributes. This color works beautifully with our materials, from the richness of Alcantara through to the depth and sheen of anodization on our pen. It complements the rest of the existing palette while adding a hint of lightness.

Eric: It really is a stunning tone. How do you come of this this? Where do you seek inspiration?

Quan: Typically, I check my list of various websites, blogs, and feeds to get my “inspirational breakfast”; I need to constantly keep my eye on what’s happening and what’s developing. Travel and new experiences are always inspirational, even something as minor as taking a different road to work can change the way you view the world. And in general, the creative environment at Microsoft allows the designers to share and inspire each other through conversation.

Eric: Can you describe your process from ideation to creation?

Quan: Being inspired by our surroundings is what generates creative thinking. I start with a good understanding of what the essence of the product experience is through research and a collection of inspiring products, images, and materials. From there I translate these collages into a defined color story that envelopes all parts and accessories of a specific product.

I then use the established story and color direction to begin developing the color in physicality, mostly through iterative sampling and prototyping with materials in our model shop. There is a lot of fine-tuning in this process to create the perfect color and finish. Often the biggest challenge is making sure the color is cohesive and crafted to compliment material palette. We work relentlessly with our partners from engineering to manufacturing to master our intent into the materials with a high level of quality and refinement

Eric: Sounds very intensive. Why does hardware aesthetic matter in technology, and how has it evolved?

Quan: Technology is no longer seen as a tool just for data, function, and business use. It has evolved into a much more personal and intimate experience that we integrate into several elements of our lifestyle. We live with our technology, it’s often the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see before going to sleep. If we are living with something this much, then we want it to look beautiful, feel inviting, and evoke confidence. Consumers understand that design is now a choice when purchasing products, and they have become savvy to what is considered good design.

Eric: It does seem like customization is so important to people. I’ve personally experienced the desire to make tech personal and unique, which is one of the reasons I love what I do. What excites you most about designing for Surface?

Quan: Surface offers meaningful and powerful devices across their portfolio. It is exciting for me to work through a lens of materials and colors as we build our new products and experiences

I learn so much each day by being part of a team that creates a hybrid of technology, design, materials, art, science, engineering, and information.

Making a fashion statement with tech accessories:

Finnish design house, Marimekko is renowned for its original prints and colors. You’ve probably seen their high-quality clothing, bags, and accessories on fashion runways and in stores. The company has been doing this since 1951, so we were thrilled to partner with their experts on a collection of accessories for Surface. I had a chance to speak with Senior Designer Sami Ruotsalainen to understand how they approached applying their legacy and style to Surface.

Eric: Hello, Sami and thanks for taking the time to speak with us. We’re so excited about this collaboration. Can you tell us a bit about the design process at Marimekko?

Sami: We always start the process with a creative brief that sets the tone for each collection. We have an archive of over 3,500 patterns, sometimes we select a pattern from there and often we also create new ones. Marimekko is a lifestyle brand, and our product portfolio includes home décor items, ready-to-wear, and bags and accessories.

The heart of Marimekko is our in-house printing factory in Helsinki, Finland, where we cherish our art of print making and craftsmanship in design. In fact, the printing mill where over a million meters of fabric is printed annually is located right next to our offices and design studio. We partner very closely with the craftsmen of the printing factory to develop new prints and colorways for our collections. As you can imagine, color is incredibly important to us and we are able to mix new colors together in our color kitchen also located in our printing mill.

Eric: Tell us a bit about the Marimekko for Microsoft Surface collaboration

Sami: Microsoft Surface and Marimekko both present a bold, positive and inclusive approach to design. This collaboration felt like a natural fit and we are so excited about the entire line of accessories.

For the Marimekko for Microsoft Surface products, we chose some of Marimekko’s most iconic prints to bring personality and customization to the Surface family. Some, like Unikko (poppy) and Kaivo (well) were created in the 1960’s and have been an important part of Marimekko’s collections ever since.. Siirtolapuutarha (city garden) and Räsymatto (rag rug) were both created in the last ten years and have become contemporary Marimekko classics.

All four patterns represent the creativity and spirit of Marimekko and give Surface users an opportunity to customize their devices – and since these devices are used on a daily basis, what better way to bring joy and happiness into people’s everyday lives than with an accessories line that brings a pop of colour to your life!

The new aqua Type Cover, Surface Arc Mouse, and Surface Pen will be available at Microsoft Store and Microsoft.com.

The Marimekko for Microsoft Surface collection is available right now. Visit your local Microsoft Store or Microsoft.com to dress up your Surface.

Source: Windows Blog
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Hi, mayors! We hope you’ve been enjoying painting the town red (or green, or blue, or yellow, depending on your zoning choices) with Cities: Skylines, and we’re delighted that our favorite city-builder has found such a great home on the Xbox One. Now that we’ve had time to settle, we thought it was high time we did a bit of redecorating, and we hope you’ll join us! Today we’re proud to announce that we’re releasing our first expansion for Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition next month. Snowfall, an expansion that adds weather conditions to your towns — and the tools to manage them properly — will launch on Xbox One on November 14.

Not only that, but when we say it’s our first expansion (not counting After Dark, which came with the CS – Xbox One Edition), you ought to know that we’ve got a second, third, and more waiting in the wings. Starting with Snowfall, we’ve got seven DLC packs heading your way soon, and you can pick up the entire set in the new Season Pass, which will also kick off on November 14. Plus, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to try your hand at urban design, we’re also going to introduce Cities: Skylines – Premium Edition — a bundle that comes with the original game (plus After Dark), and every item in the Season Pass to boot.

Every expansion is being prepared for a controller-friendly experience on the Xbox One. Cities: Skylines has always been a game about growth, creativity, and expansion, and we want to make sure our fans get a full, rich experience with all the options they want, regardless of where they’re playing. Players who pick up the Season Pass or the Premium Edition will get each piece of DLC as soon as it’s available, starting with Snowfall in November. The full list will include:

• Snowfall (full expansion)
• Natural Disasters (full expansion)
• Mass Transit (full expansion)
• High Tech Buildings (content creator pack)
• Art Deco (content creator pack)
• Relaxation Station (radio station DLC)
• Rock City Radio (radio station DLC)

Thanks for your ongoing support, mayors! For more updates, you can follow us at @Cities_PDX, and stay tuned both there and here on Xbox Wire to find out when each new expansion is headed your way.

See the rest of the story on Xbox Wire

Related:
Buy Spider-Man: Homecoming on Xbox to Get Exclusive Costume for Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
The Open Highway Leads to the Danger Zone on Xbox One
Choose How You Game with Four New Xbox One S Bundles

Source: Xbox Blog
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