Microsoft Build 2013 kicks off today at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and will run through until the 28th.

This year’s conference is one of the most highly anticipated events Microsoft’s held in a long time, as it’s believed that it will shed more light on what Redmond is planning for the future with regards to its new devices, services and apps.

Microsoft has been generous for a change, dropping plenty of hints as to what attendees and spectators can expect from the event, so in case you missed them, here are some of the goodies we can look forward to:

Software

Windows Blue, the long-awaited update to Microsoft’s much-derided Windows 8 operating system, is set to be showcased at this year’s Build.  Of course, we already know about more than a few changes we can expect, with many of the things people missed from the older versions of the platform making a return, including the missing Start button. However, it’ll be a little different from what we’re used too with Windows 7 – the ‘new’ Start button features a white stylized four-pane layout that changes color depending on the app that’s running, and it’ll take you to a completely different menu than you’re used to.

Meanwhile, the Control Panel is back though it is no longer called by the same name – instead, it’s been christened as the ‘PC Settings’ though its functionality is more or less the same. And finally, there’ll be the good old option to ‘Boot to desktop’ once again, although this won’t be the default setting.

As for the new features arriving on Windows 8.1, Bing will have a strong presence on the OS to help people search for files on the computer or in the cloud; greater personalization options such as more wallpaper options, the lock screen will now feature slideshow of images instead of just one image, and moving tiles will now entail right clicking onto them to prevent accidental shuffling of tiles. We’ll also see support for NFC and Wi-Fi printing from Surface tablets, the Windows Store is getting a much needed upgrade, fingerprint reader software will become native software, and finally Internet Explorer 11 will be pushed onto all Windows 8.1 machines,  with no more limit on the number of tabs that can be opened at one time, as well as support for WebGL to render 3D graphics.

Windows 8.1 is not only coming to desktop, but to Surface RT tablets as well.  Announced at Computex 2013, Windows RT 8.1 will incorporate Outlook 2013 to help RT owners manage emails better.

Devices

Aside from Windows 8.1, Microsoft may also be unveiling new products at the conference. These could include the rumored smaller Surface tablets, cheaper Windows Phone 8 smartphones, and the Xbox One may also put in an appearance, though it’s doubtful that it will be taking center stage at the event.

Acer was the first to launch an 8-inch Windows 8 tablet and with Microsoft CFO Peter Klein’s saying back in April how they’re closely working with OEMs to create smaller touch devices, ASUS is said to be on board the mini train.

Services

Microsoft has already revealed that it will be launching a web version of Xbox Music. Though the web version is launching after the conference, it is expected that Microsoft will shed some more details about the service at BUILD.  Question now is, will Microsoft be making the service available for iOS and Android devices too?

Unlikely partnership

Oracle and Microsoft shocked the industry when the companies announced a strategic partnership to boost their cloud offerings.  The partnership entails that Oracle’s database and other software will be able to run Microsoft’s Windows Cloud, Windows Server, Azure on its Hyper-V technology.

The unlikely alliances from the rivals is said to have stemmed from Microsoft’s problems with scalability and it’s determination to challenge AWS in the cloud. For Oracle, it desperately needs its products to be supported by companies like Microsoft, so the arrangement is a mutually beneficial one. Most likely, we’ll hear more from Microsoft about this move at the event.