Updated: Build 2014: what to expect from Microsoft's developer conference

Microsoft has announced that Build 2014 will take place in San Francisco from April 2 - April 4, 2014. Registration has already sold out for interested developers.

During Build 2013, Microsoft officially launched Windows 8.1 and discussed the convergence of its various device platforms. Look for much more of the same at the next Build, where we're sure to get an earful on everything from the Xbox One to Windows Phone.

Microsoft should have quite a few tricks up its sleeve for this year's conference. In terms of phones, there are intriguing questions after recent acquisition of Nokia and we're also expecting Windows Phone 8.1 update for early this year.

Perhaps Windows 8.2, a.k.a. Threshold, will rear its head? Or could Microsoft abandon the debacle of Windows 8 altogether and give us Windows 9 instead? That's certainly been one of the recent rumours.

We know we're going to see Windows 8.1 Update 1 at some point soon, but the question is - when?

What's more, it's possible that we'll find out who Microsoft's new CEO is. Who will take the place of Steve Ballmer? And can they be anywhere near as charasmatic? Here are six candidates for Microsoft CEO.

A mini Surface?

There have also been rumours that a new Surface Mini or Surface 3 may pop up at the conference, which might debut alongside the updated operating system. TechRadar previously reported that the launch of a Surface Mini may have been held up because Microsoft had to draft in developers to help with the Xbox One.

• Surface Mini may not rear its smaller frame until early next year

Microsoft may be using Nook to build an Xbox Reading app

Microsoft's began rolling out its Xbox brand to apps back in 2012 with the launch of Xbox Video and Xbox Music.

Now, according to a job posting, it's looking to roll out an Xbox Reading app for Windows 8 (and possibly other platforms) as well.

The job advert describes a position in the Music, Video and Reading team (MVR) for someone to build "a groundbreaking interactive reading app on Windows, which incorporates books, magazines, and comics."

Read all about it

Microsoft already has a reading application available for Windows 8 but it seems that this Xbox-branded app could be a much bigger deal.

However it's unclear what platforms the reader app will be available on - it might not even appear on the Xbox One itself.

Microsoft invested a sizeable $300 million in Barnes and Noble's Nook back in 2012, so there's a chance that this could this be the first fruit of that relationship.

• Satya Nadella is Microsoft's new CEO, but what's his master plan?

Updated: Microsoft officially outs Build 2014 conference dates

Update: It didn't take long for the developer conference dates to become official.

Microsoft has announced that Build 2014 will indeed take place in San Francisco April 2 - April 4, 2014.

During Build 2013, Microsoft officially launched Windows 8.1 and discussed the convergence of its various device platforms. Look for much more of the same at the next Build, where we're sure to get an earful on everything from the Xbox One to Windows Phone.

Perhaps Windows 8.2, a.k.a. Threshold, will rear its head? What's more, it's likely that by then a new CEO will have taken Steve Ballmer's place as conference emcee.

Registration for Build 2014 opens January 14, 2014 at 9 a.m. PST/5 p.m. GMT/2 a.m. AEST January 15.

Original article...

Microsoft "mistakenly" uploaded details of its next Build developer conference on its website today, but quickly rectified the mistake.

The erroneously uploaded flyer revealed that the conference will be returning to San Francisco between April 2- April 4 2014.

According to the flyer, which has now been removed, registration for the conference will be open from January next year.

Massive sleeves

Microsoft probably has quite a few tricks up its sleeve for next year's conference. There are intriguing prospects in the recent acquisition of Nokia, as well as a Windows phone 8.1 update for early next year.

There have also been rumours that a new Surface Mini may pop up at the conference, which might debut alongside the updated operating system.

TechRadar previously reported that the launch of a Surface Mini may have been held up because Microsoft had to draft in developers to help with the Xbox One.

Now that the console launch has been and gone, will it be all hands on deck for the bite-sized tablet?

• Surface Mini may not rear its smaller frame until early next year

Motorola locks down 3D printing partner in quest to build modular smartphones

Motorola's Project Ara dream to create a completely modular phone out of interchangeable modules is speeding towards becoming a reality.

The Google-owned phone company has announced it's partnering with 3D Systems, a manufacturer of 3D printers, to help turn its Ara concept into real-life handsets.

For a quick refresher, Project Ara aims to develop highly customizable, modular smartphones that users can modify to change its look and even upgrade its parts. Instead of buying a whole new phone, upgraders could just attach more RAM or a new camera onto the phone's mainframe, called an endoskeleton.

It might sound like a far flung idea but Motorola and 3D Systems teamed up with a multi-year development agreement to create a continuous high-speed 3D printing production platform to build modular smartphones.

Beating a similar drum to the customizability of the Moto X, 3D Systems CEO Avi Reichental said in a statement, "Project Ara was conceived to build a platform that empowers consumers all over the world with customization for a product made by and for the individual."

For real?

If 3D Systems is successful in building a manufacturing platform for Project Ara, it could start producing smartphone enclosures and modules as "Motorola's exclusive fulfillment partner."

3D printing might be the key to Motorola's plan of producing customizable and low-price smartphones like the Moto G.

The system actually working is a major big "if" that's still to be seen. Motorola revealed that there's been a team working on Project Ara for over a year already.

The Moto X maker has invited developers to start building their own modules in an effort to come up with an alpha version of the dev kit planned for a launch this winter.

The major problem of creating a modular phone is it means each phone component needs its own enclosure and a set of contact pins to connect with the endoskeleton. A modular phone might be upgradable for years to come, but all that added bulk could make even small-screened phone as hefty as the HTC One Max.

• Check out our review of Motorola's latest smartphone, the Moto G.