ICYMI: April 13, 2016

Hello! Today is going to be a good day because you're starting it with the knowledge that Microsoft's Ninja Cat is now a Windows 10 emoji.

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The biggest story of yesterday: Hey, remember how Microsoft announced that they're taking the "conversation as a platform" approach to development, and they're rolling out an army of bots to help facilitate user conversations across Microsoft's software and services?

Well, Facebook made the same announcement yesterday.

And just as Microsoft's got bot-connections with Taco Bell, Domino's and Starbucks, so you'll be able to order flowers in Facebook messenger with the 1-800-Flowers bot. Facebook's 'bot push has it setting up a developer framework to encourage people to develop an army of small, smart 'bots that will help users find news or buy things, all in Facebook Messenger.

Also worth paying attention to: The infamous Blue Screen of Death may be getting more useful. The free Anniversary Edition of Windows 10 is reportedly adding a QR code to the screen, a move that will allow users to scan the code with their smartphone and be redirected to a Web page that may throw some light onto the cause of the computer crash. This move is fascinating because it's an explicit acknowledgment of computer users' multiscreen worlds, and because it makes a baseline assumption about the level of connectivity and mobile engagement Windows 10 users have.

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The most useful news:

Check out how easy it is to convert a Windows desktop app to a Universal Windows app.

Here's how to find the Accessories folder in Windows 10.

Are you using any of these templates in Microsoft Word?

For those who need to search their Google calendars, a handy how-to.

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And here's what we've been publishing:

Upgrade Options for Windows Vista as Support Expires in 2017 — What options are available for those die-hard Windows Vista users to get themselves on an updated operating system within the next year?

Microsoft Health Update Fixes Notifications and Notification Defaults —  With today’s update, ALL apps except for “Phone” app is turned OFF by default.

Microsoft Unveils New Signature Edition Surface Pro 3/4 Keyboard — Microsoft has released a new Surface Pro 3/4 keyboard for those users who might want a more high end feel to go along with their hardware devices.

Windows 10 Version 1511 Current Branch Build 10586.218 Released — Today is another opportunity to patch and go with the release of cumulative updates for Windows 10 Version 1511 (OS Build 10586.164).