Tag: Microsoft

  • Microsoft Unveils Surface Pro 10 & Surface Laptop 6

    Microsoft Unveils Surface Pro 10 & Surface Laptop 6

    Microsoft recently unveiled two innovative devices designed specifically to boost business productivity: the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 Business Editions. Both products provide cutting-edge technologies designed to boost professional productivity; initial announcement was in December 2018 – they can now be taken a closer look.

    Surface Pro 10 Is an Essential Compass For Professionals

    The Surface Pro 10 is tailored specifically for professionals on the go, offering Intel Core Ultra5 or Ultra7 processors equipped with NPU AI Boost technology for optimal performance. A standout feature of its 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with its 3:2 aspect ratio and 2880 x 1920 resolution produces vivid visuals – this ultralight design weighs only 879 grams making portability easy.

    Cutting-Edge Features

    • Storage Options: Ranging from 256GB to 1TB, users can choose from various solid-state drive options.
    • Memory Configurations: Multiple options include 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of LPDDR5x memory for seamless multitasking.
    • Enhanced Cameras: Equipped with a front-facing HD camera and a rear-facing 10-megapixel camera for video calls and professional-grade photography.
    • Comprehensive Connectivity: Dual USB-C ports with USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 support, a Surface Connect port, and a dedicated Surface Pro keyboard port ensure versatile connectivity.

    Surface Laptop 6 for Business Experience

    The Surface Laptop 6 delivers an exceptional laptop experience tailored to business users. Boasting powerful Intel Core Ultra5 or Ultra7 processors equipped with NPU AI Boost, users can expect unparalleled performance. Available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen models; each featuring anti-reflective technology to enhance viewing comfort.

    Noteworthy Features

    • Storage and Memory: Scalable storage options from 256GB to 1TB and memory configurations of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of LPDDR5x memory for efficient multitasking.
    • Camera and Security: Includes a built-in front-facing HD camera (1080p) for video conferencing and Windows Hello facial recognition for secure logins.
    • Connectivity Options: The 13.5-inch model offers a USB-C port with USB 4/Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A 3.1 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port, while the 15-inch version adds an extra USB-C port and, in certain setups, an integrated smart card reader slot.

    Pricing and Specifications

    • Surface Pro 10: Starts at 9,888 yuan (approximately $1,523 USD) and goes up to 22,888 yuan (approximately $3,520 USD) for the most powerful configuration.
    • Surface Laptop 6: Prices begin at 12,288 yuan (approximately $1,890 USD) for the 13.5-inch model and can reach 21,088 yuan (approximately $3,243 USD) for the 15-inch variant.
    Microsoft Unveils Surface Pro 10 & Surface Laptop 6
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  • Microsoft Integrates Copilot with Photos App for New Features

    Microsoft Integrates Copilot with Photos App for New Features

    Microsoft has taken a subtle step towards enhancing photo management through the introduction of Copilot, an AI-powered plug-in for its Photos app. Though still in its early stages, Copilot shows potential for a more efficient photo handling experience.

    Copilot: A New Wave in Photo Management

    The unveiling of Copilot was revealed by Windows enthusiast @PhantomOfEarth. For users with the latest version of the Photos app (2024.11030.22001.0), a new toggle option for Copilot may appear in the plug-in settings.

    Features and Limitations of Copilot

    Not everyone using Windows may have immediate access to the updated version of the Photos app. Currently, Copilot's capabilities are somewhat restricted. It primarily assists in crafting slideshows, enabling users to effortlessly create and browse photo slideshows within the Photos app, facilitating a trip down memory lane. Additionally, users can easily set any photo as their desktop background.

    Microsoft's AI Enhancements in Photos App

    Microsoft has been consistently enhancing the Photos app with AI capabilities. Since November 2023, Windows Insiders have had access to advanced AI-powered features. These include background removal functionality, allowing users to seamlessly eliminate unwanted backgrounds from photos for more creative edits. Moreover, the Filmstrip slideshow mode has been upgraded, enhancing the overall slideshow experience and making it more delightful to revisit photo collections. A new timeline scrollbar, based on the time range of images, provides smoother navigation through the photo library.

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  • Xbox Series X Could Receive Stylish All-White Makeover

    Xbox Series X Could Receive Stylish All-White Makeover

    Microsoft seems to be gearing up for a fresh look for its Xbox Series X, with reports suggesting a new all-white variant of the gaming console may be in the works. The design overhaul could see the iconic black color replaced with a sleek, all-white finish. Here’s what we know so far.

    A New Look for Xbox Series X

    eXputer recently shared low-quality images of the purported white Xbox Series X, hinting at an all-digital version of the console. While the exterior design of the white Xbox Series X closely resembles its black counterpart, the key difference lies in its color and the absence of a disc drive. Despite these changes, the internal specifications are expected to remain nearly identical, with a potential upgrade to the heatsink for improved thermal performance. Leaked documents from the Microsoft vs FTC court hearing had previously suggested the arrival of a new-colored Xbox variant without a disc drive.

    Pricing and Availability

    The all-digital white Xbox Series X from Microsoft is anticipated to be priced lower than the standard model, attributed to cost savings resulting from the removal of the disc drive. This move mirrors Sony’s PlayStation 5 strategy, which offers Digital and Disc versions of the console. Currently, the Xbox Series X retails for $500 in the US, while the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series S 1TB Edition are priced at $300 and $350, respectively. It is speculated that the digital Xbox Series X could hit the market with a price tag around $450.

    Xbox Series X Could Receive Stylish All-White Makeover
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  • Microsoft to Challenge M3 MacBooks with ARM-Based Surface Devices – Event Date Confirmed

    Microsoft to Challenge M3 MacBooks with ARM-Based Surface Devices – Event Date Confirmed

    Although Microsoft is commonly associated with its Windows operating system, the tech giant has a diverse product portfolio that extends beyond software into hardware. One notable success for Microsoft has been its Surface laptop and 2-in-1 product lines. The company is gearing up for an upcoming event where it will unveil new products and advancements, including the highly anticipated Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6, updates to Windows 11 AI, and enhancements to Copilot. Here's a closer look at what to expect from Microsoft's exclusive showcase event scheduled for March 21.

    Microsoft's Showcase Event: Unveiling Surface and Windows Innovations

    Microsoft, renowned for its software prowess, has made significant strides in the hardware sector with its impressive lineup of Surface devices. The upcoming event promises to showcase the latest innovations from Microsoft, offering a glimpse into the future of computing technology.

    Exciting Product Reveals and Technological Advancements

    Attendees can look forward to the unveiling of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which are expected to set new benchmarks in performance and design. Additionally, Microsoft will introduce updates to its AI capabilities within Windows 11, enhancing user experiences and productivity. The event will also highlight advancements in Copilot technology, demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to cutting-edge solutions.

    Mark Your Calendars for March 21

    Mark your calendars for March 21 as Microsoft takes center stage to unveil a host of groundbreaking products and advancements that are set to redefine the tech landscape. Stay tuned for more details as Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity.

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  • Microsoft ends support for Android apps on Windows 11

    Microsoft ends support for Android apps on Windows 11

    In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has revealed that it will cease its support for Android applications on Windows 11 starting March 5th, 2025. This decision specifically impacts the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), a crucial component for running Android apps on the Windows 11 platform.

    Introduction of WSA Feature

    Initially launched in 2021, the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) enabled users to seamlessly access and utilize Android apps, either through direct loading or acquisition from the Amazon App Store. This feature quickly gained traction among users, but its future now appears uncertain.

    Microsoft’s Cutback Decision

    The announcement of the discontinuation of WSA support emerged recently through an update in developer documentation. This alteration understandably affects the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications or games reliant on WSA functionality.

    Implications for Users and Developers

    Microsoft’s decision implies that starting from March 5th, 2024, users will no longer be able to install new Android applications via the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11. However, individuals with existing apps can continue using them until March 5th, 2025, with updates accessible until that time. The aftermath post this date remains unclear, leaving the possibility of apps ceasing to function or losing official support.

    Microsoft ends support for Android apps on Windows 11

    Amazon has also verified the discontinuation of support, indicating that developers will be unable to submit new apps intended for Windows 11 after March 5th, 2024. Developers with existing apps can continue to provide updates until the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 is terminated.

    Uncertain Future for Android Apps on Windows 11

    Microsoft’s resolution regarding Android apps on Windows 11 has left their future uncertain. While the company has not disclosed official reasons for terminating WSA support, potential factors could include the limited adoption of the service or technical obstacles.

    For users keen on utilizing Android apps on Windows, reverting to using third-party Android emulators may become the way forward.

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  • Generative Erase: Microsoft’s Equivalent to Magic Eraser on Windows 10 & 11

    Generative Erase: Microsoft’s Equivalent to Magic Eraser on Windows 10 & 11

    Microsoft has unveiled a new feature called Generative erase for Windows PCs, enhancing the photo editing experience for users. This tool, integrated into the Windows Photos app, simplifies the process of cleaning up images by eliminating unwanted elements, such as photobombers or unexpected objects that disrupt the composition of a picture. Generative erase aims to refine your photos effortlessly.

    Widening Editing Horizons

    While Generative erase may not match the capabilities of Magic Eraser, Microsoft is ensuring its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of users. The feature is not exclusive to Windows 11 users but is also available for those utilizing Windows 10 and Windows 11 for Arm64 devices. This expansion aims to empower a larger audience with enhanced editing tools, leveraging existing hardware for a seamless experience.

    Exclusive Testing Phase

    Currently, Generative erase is being tested by Windows Insiders, a dedicated group granted early access to upcoming features. These users are among the first to experiment with Generative erase and other AI-driven editing functionalities, provided they have updated their app to the latest version specified by Microsoft. Additionally, a background removal tool is included, further enriching the editing options available to users.

    Embracing AI in Photo Editing

    The integration of AI into everyday tech tools is increasingly prevalent, and Microsoft's introduction of Generative erase in its Photos app signifies a significant stride towards making advanced editing tools more accessible and user-friendly. This move highlights a future where photo editing is streamlined and inclusive, enabling a broader range of individuals to enhance their digital memories with minimal effort.

    This innovative addition by Microsoft underscores the evolving landscape of photo editing, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency in transforming images with just a few clicks.

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  • Microsoft Teams Up with Intel for 18A Process Chip Development

    Microsoft Teams Up with Intel for 18A Process Chip Development

    At the IFS Direct Connect 2024 conference hosted by Intel, Microsoft CEO Nadella announced plans to utilize Intel’s 18A process for creating its own chips. Nadella emphasized the importance of having reliable access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology to drive platform changes benefiting various industries. Microsoft’s collaboration with Intel’s foundry marks a significant step in this direction, as highlighted in a press release quoting Nadella’s speech. This strategic partnership aims to harness high-performance semiconductors to transform productivity across organizations.

    Intel Foundry Systems is preparing itself beyond Core Ultra’s 4nm node for the ‘angstrom era’

    In line with its efforts to enhance chip capabilities and reduce reliance on external manufacturers, Microsoft is reportedly developing a new network card. This initiative is part of Microsoft‘s broader strategy to optimize performance for its self-developed Maia AI server chip while potentially mitigating dependency on chip design giant Nvidia. The network card bears resemblance to Nvidia‘s ConnectX-7, which is bundled with its GPU offerings. The development of this network card, however, is anticipated to be a meticulous process, likely spanning over a year. If successful, the new network card could expedite model training for OpenAI on Microsoft servers and drive cost efficiencies.

    Strategic Collaboration for Semiconductor Innovation

    The announcement at the IFS Direct Connect 2024 conference underscores Microsoft’s commitment to innovation and self-reliance in semiconductor technology. By partnering with Intel’s foundry and adopting its 18A process, Microsoft aims to ensure access to state-of-the-art semiconductor solutions tailored to its specific requirements. This move not only enhances Microsoft’s chip capabilities but also signifies a strategic shift in the company’s approach towards semiconductor procurement and technology development.

    Advancing AI Infrastructure with Proprietary Solutions

    Furthermore, Microsoft’s foray into developing a new network card aligns with its broader vision of enhancing AI infrastructure and optimizing performance for specialized workloads. By investing in proprietary solutions like the Maia AI server chip and accompanying network infrastructure, Microsoft seeks to bolster its competitiveness in the AI and cloud computing domains. This strategic initiative reflects Microsoft’s long-term commitment to innovation and underscores its ambition to shape the future of technology through cutting-edge semiconductor advancements.

    Microsoft Teams Up with Intel for 18A Process Chip Development

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  • Potential Incompatibility: Older CPUs or PCs Could Miss Future Windows 11 Updates

    Potential Incompatibility: Older CPUs or PCs Could Miss Future Windows 11 Updates

    Microsoft is considering preventing very old computers from running the next major Windows 11 update, known as 24H2, due to a newly discovered requirement for the POPCNT instruction. This instruction, used to count set bits in a value, has been present in CPUs for decades but is not supported by many older CPUs.

    Impact on Compatibility

    Intel introduced POPCNT with its Nehalem architecture in 2008, and AMD with its Barcelona architecture in 2007. Computers using CPUs manufactured before these dates may face compatibility issues with future Windows 11 updates.

    Hardware Restrictions

    While Microsoft already limits Windows 11 installation to relatively modern processors (8th generation Intel chips or newer), this potential change may cause problems for users who have bypassed hardware restrictions on older systems.

    Microsoft's Focus on Hardware Requirements

    It is uncertain whether this change is intentional or an unintentional consequence of including newer CPU instructions during the development process. This situation echoes a similar incident in Windows 10 that led to compatibility problems for some older processors.

    Microsoft has not officially commented on this development, highlighting the company's increasing emphasis on stricter hardware requirements for its operating systems. Users with significantly older computers should consider these limitations if they plan to use Windows 11 long-term.

    Final Thoughts

    Despite these potential changes, Microsoft has maintained restrictions on Windows 11 installation to compatible devices since its launch. If your device is on the compatibility list, there should be no cause for concern as it will continue to function normally.

    Microsoft is currently finalizing the 24H2 version, expected for release to manufacturers (RTM) by April. For those eager to preview the 2024 update, the Insider Preview build of Windows 11 version 24H2 (Build 26052) is available through the Dev or Canary channel.

    Potential Incompatibility: Older CPUs or PCs Could Miss Future Windows 11 Updates

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  • Redefining AI Computing for Microsoft: AMD’s Instinct MI300 Series AI Chips

    Redefining AI Computing for Microsoft: AMD’s Instinct MI300 Series AI Chips

    In a bid to revolutionize the AI computing landscape, AMD is set to introduce its latest innovation, the Instinct MI300 series accelerator. Reports from Windows Report suggest that AMD is poised to supply this cutting-edge technology to Microsoft at a reduced price, signaling a renewed collaboration between the two tech giants. This move comes at a time when Microsoft primarily relies on NVIDIA’s H100 Tensor Core GPU for artificial intelligence based tasks, underlining AMD’s ambitious push into the AI hardware market.

    AMD Instinct MI300 series is an affordable alternative to NVIDIA’s H100

    The AMD Instinct MI300X is positioned as an affordable alternative to NVIDIA‘s offerings, boasting a slew of groundbreaking features. Foremost among these is its innovative architecture, promising a significant leap in performance. Central to its capabilities is the incorporation of 192GB of high-performance HBM3 memory, facilitating faster data transmission and accommodating larger AI models. This is a critical aspect given the increasing complexity of AI applications, where speed and efficiency are paramount.

    A notable aspect of the Instinct MI300X is its Chiplet design

    The Instinct MI300X features a Chiplet design, housing 13 small chips based on 3D stacking. Among these are 24 Zen4 CPU cores, alongside integration of CDNA 3 and 8 HBM3 memory stacks. Leveraging 5nm and 6nm IP, this accelerator combines a total of 128GB HBM3 memory and a staggering 146 billion transistors. AMD’s strategic allocation of chiplets, with a majority based on 3D stacking, underscores its commitment to optimizing performance and efficiency.

    AMD aims to address the demand for enhanced performance

    AMD’s CEO, Su Zifeng, has emphasized the transformative potential of the MI300X, particularly in comparison to NVIDIA’s H100 GPU. Zifeng highlights the tangible benefits in user experience, citing the accelerator’s ability to deliver faster and more nuanced responses in AI-driven interactions. With AI applications becoming increasingly pervasive across industries, the demand for enhanced performance is paramount, a need that AMD aims to address with its latest offering. The Instinct MI300 series AI chips signify a significant milestone in AMD’s quest to establish itself as a key player in the AI hardware arena.

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  • Microsoft Officially Announces Release: Windows 11 24H2 instead of Windows 12

    Microsoft Officially Announces Release: Windows 11 24H2 instead of Windows 12

    Previous speculation about Microsoft moving away from a three-year update cycle for Windows turned out to be true. In an official blog post, Microsoft announced that “Windows 11 24H2” will be the major feature update for 2024, pushing the anticipated release of Windows 12 into 2025 or later.

    Windows 11 24H2 Announced as Major Feature Update for 2024

    Microsoft subtly revealed this strategy shift in the changelog for a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. The changelog states:

    “Starting with Build 26-xx today, Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 24H2. This denotes that Windows 11, version 24H2 will be this year’s annual feature update. As mentioned here, Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence that releases in the second half of the calendar year.”

    The company is now clearly committed to one annual feature update for Windows 11, scheduled for release in the second half of each year. This marks a change from smaller, more frequent “Moments” updates seen in the past.

    Concerns about Userbase Fragmentation

    This decision may stem from Microsoft’s concern about exacerbating userbase fragmentation. Windows 10 continues to hold a dominant 66% market share, while Windows 11 trails behind at 28%. Introducing Windows 12 in 2024 could further divide the Windows ecosystem, a situation Microsoft likely wants to avoid.

    AI-Powered Features and Advancements

    Instead, users can expect substantial AI-powered features and other advancements with the Windows 11 24H2 update. The exact details of what these AI features will be are still up in the air, but we can expect more details to come out in the coming months.

    However, previously rumored concepts, like a redesigned desktop interface with a “floating taskbar” as a characteristic of Windows 12 won’t materialize in the immediate future. So a significant visual overhaul for Windows is unlikely before 2025.

    Release Timing and Availability

    Regarding release timing, Windows 11 24H2 builds will reach manufacturers (RTM) in April 2024. General public availability is tentatively expected sometime between September and October 2024.

    Let us know your thoughts. Are you disappointed about the Windows 12 delay?

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