Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delivering a keynote address at an event in Mumbai (Press Trust of India photo)
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says his company is working on a world without passwords. Face recognition and other biometrics may soon replace the way we access systems, the 48-year-old India-born executive told a gathering of industry leaders and government representatives in Mumbai today.
Speaking at the event Microsoft's Future Unleashed, Mr Nadella said technology allows better use of resources, as he went on to talk about how cloud computing is now benefitting agriculture in India.
The Redmond-based technology major's chief executive pulled out an iPhone to everyone surprise. "It's not my phone, but it's an iPhone, but it includes all the Microsoft apps and services. It's a Microsoft phone, really," he announced as he went on to showcase company apps on his personal Microsoft Lumia 950 XL to demonstrate productivity enhancement using the tools and services developed by his company.
He's meeting Union Telecommunications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad later today to discuss the company's plan to provide broadband connectivity in villages. Mr Nadella will also meet industry leaders including Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra, Axis Bank head Shikha Sharma and Tata Starbucks CEO Avani Davda.
"We believe that low-cost broadband connectivity coupled with the scale of cloud computing intelligence that can be harnessed from data can help drive creativity, efficiency and productivity across governments and businesses of all sizes," the first Indian-American Microsoft CEO said.
The company had earlier tested low-cost broadband connectivity using White Spaces in Andhra Pradesh. The technology utilises unused television spectrum to deliver cheap internet connectivity. Wi-Fi has a range of about 100 metres but White Spaces can reach up to 10 km.
The take away for gadget freaks from today's session is that the Surface Pro 4 tablet will be launched in India by January 2016. Microsoft recently launched the tab at an event held at its headquarters in the US.