Microsoft launches 8080 books: speeding up publishing, one byte at a time

Forget slow-moving traditional publishing. Microsoft is launching 8080 Books, a new imprint designed to crank out books faster than you can say " Windows Update ." The Book Launch of the Future: Introducing 8080 Books In a move that will leave traditional publishers scrambling to catch up, Microsoft is launching a brand-new imprint called 8080 Books. Named after the iconic Intel microprocessor that powered a generation of tech innovations (and probably some long-lost arcade games), this imprint is designed to speed up the painfully slow process of book publishing. 8080 Books promises to shave down the lag time between finishing a manuscript and getting it on shelves (or more realistically, on your Kindle). According to Microsoft, “Technology has quickened the pace of almost every industry except publishing,” and now, they’re here to change that. The imprint’s mission? To get the best ideas in technology, science, and business into your hands faster than a speeding algorithm. No Prize for Pessimism: A Techie’s Take on Optimism The first title to drop from 8080 Books is No Prize for Pessimism by Microsoft’s deputy chief technology officer, Sam Schillace . The book explores why tech innovators need to keep their glass half-full when building products—because, as we all know, pessimism isn’t exactly the secret ingredient for great software. Schillace’s book is available now, so if you’re ready to throw some optimism at your next project (or just need a break from AI-generated doom scrolling), this might be your read. Platform Mindset : Thinking Like a Tech Titan Platform Mindset : Thinking Like a Tech Titan Next up, 8080 Books will release Platform Mindset by Marcus Fontoura, former Microsoft exec turned corporate guru. This one’s for those who want to understand how to build successful platforms in tech, or maybe just how to sound really smart at your next Zoom meeting. The book drops later this year, so stay tuned. Not Just for Microsofties: Welcoming Fresh Voices (Even if You’re Not a ‘Microsoftie’) While 8080 Books anticipates a large portion of its readers will come from the Microsoft family (past, present, and future), the imprint isn't just for insiders. In fact, they’re looking to bring in new voices, thinkers, and even the occasional outsider with something interesting to say. They’re not accepting unsolicited manuscripts yet, but who knows? Maybe your tech manifesto could be next. The imprint’s topics? Think “the future of tech, productivity hacks, and societal issues like law, ethics, and policy.” So, you know, pretty much everything that will keep you up at night wondering where the world is headed. Speed Meets Rigor: A New Era of Publishing Forget the slow, lumbering process of traditional publishing. 8080 Books is experimenting with new tech to make the process faster and, dare we say, more democratic. The idea is to quickly spot the good stuff, help develop it into a polished manuscript, and get it into your hands with minimal fuss. And get this: after covering publishing costs, 8080 Books plans to donate any leftover revenue to Microsoft Philanthropies . So you can feel good about your next tech read, knowing it’s helping a good cause. AI Meets Paper: Microsoft’s Big Move with HarperCollins And in a move that will make every dystopian novel seem more plausible, Microsoft has also partnered with HarperCollins to use nonfiction books to train its AI models. Yep, that’s right—Microsoft’s AI is learning from real books, with authors’ consent, of course. It's a brave new world, and I’m sure 1984 is feeling a little too prescient right about now. So there you have it—Microsoft’s 8080 Books is on a mission to outpace traditional publishers with cutting-edge speed and innovation. Whether you’re a tech junkie, a business buff, or a policy wonk, this imprint is ready to push the boundaries of what a book can be. Get ready to read faster, think smarter, and—who knows—maybe even feel a little more optimistic about the future.