Microsoft Garage cranking out 5 new projects with help from summer interns

Laurent Giret

Earlier today, Microsoft published a lengthy blog post to reveal how several developer interns managed to turn their software projects into real products thanks to Microsoft’s Garage Internship Program in Cambridge. Five of these projects are now available to try on the Microsoft Garage website and some of them may well help you change your computing habits and increase your productivity. However, be aware that these latest projects are not currently available on all platforms: one of them is a Windows app, two other projects are iPhone apps and two other ones are browser add-ins. More details below.

Project Santorini (Windows app)

Project Santorini a Windows app that provides a fresh take on revisiting your old photos using metadata. The app allows you to browse your photos store on OneDrive by either using location or time, and here is the official description:

Santorini guides you through a fun and serendipitous photo exploration journey by using your hidden photo metadata. Enter the experience by choosing a starting photo from your OneDrive collection. Our novel dual-axis interface then allows you to fluidly navigate between photos taken in the same place and other locations. Enjoy your journey as memories flood back from your sister’s wedding, your son’s first day of school, or your unforgettable vacation. To re-enter from another starting point, simply return to the collage view and choose another photo. Have photos without an associated time or location? Santorini also makes it fun and easy to add that information as well.

Project Santorini
The Project Santorini app.

Write Ideas (iPhone app)

Write ideas eases students through their writing assignments using structured prompts and questions. Using Write ideas, students are able to express their creativity in a variety of ways such as voice, doodles and text. Students can then export their work to email or OneNote and use it as a foundation for their writing assignments.

The Write Ideas iOS app.
The Write Ideas iOS app.

Hearing AI (iPhone app)

Hearing AI aims to connect people to the world of sound. The interface allows people to visualize the intensity of environmental sounds in order to gauge the ambience of a physical space. Hearing AI distinguishes between four different types of sound environments and notifies people if there are sudden changes or if sounds are damaging to their ears.

The Hearing AI iPhone app.
The Hearing AI iPhone app.

Project Copenhagen (browser add-in)

Project Copenhagen is the simplest way to view, attach, and share your OneDrive files to anyone with Gmail.

Simplify your sharing – Attach multiple files to your emails with a few clicks of a button all within Gmail.

Store files with ease – Download attachments directly to your OneDrive, right in your inbox.

The Project Copenhagen browser add-in.
The Project Copenhagen browser add-in.

Project Oceana (browser add-in)

Project Oceana is the quickest way to access, and keep tabs on, your Outlook inbox right from within your Chrome browser.

Stay in touch – Quick glance into your Outlook inbox and preview messages with a single click of a button.

Stay informed – View unread mail and receive optional push notifications whenever you receive a new e-mail.

Organize effectively – Delete and flag e-mails directly from the extension.

The Project Oceana browser add-in.
The Project Oceana browser add-in.

All these new Microsoft Garage projects are currently in private beta in the US (and Canada for some of them) but you can sign up today to receive an invitation to try them by using the above links. Let us know what you think of these latest Microsoft Garage apps and services by dropping us a comment below.