Items tagged with Microsoft
Yesterday, Microsoft officially revealed all of the pertinent details relating to its Surface Duo folding Android flagship. Today, Microsoft is giving us details on future support for the smartphone along with a commitment that will let customers they won't be forgotten once the company moves on to the next best thing. Microsoft is promising that the Surface Duo will get a full three years of Android OS and any relevant software/security updates (starting from the day it's released). That's a solid commitment on Microsoft's part, and matches the support window that Google provides for its first-party Pixel Android smartphones. It should also be noted that Samsung also earlier this...
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Starting today, August 12th, Windows Insiders will be able to install Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20190. This new build includes a quality of life upgrade, better menu experiences, and bug fixes. You can get this now by forcing an update in your Windows settings if you are on the Windows Insider Dev channel. In Build 20190, the main quality of life update is a new app, called “Tips.” This app, which will launch upon any new update going forward, will help guide the user through the new features in Windows. Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, wrote, “We know that it doesn’t always feel clear what changed with a major update, or even how...
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Halo fans will need to wait a bit longer until they can get their hands on the next game in the series. It was recently announced that Halo Infinite has been delayed until 2021. The ongiong health crisis has unfortunately made it difficult for the developers to work on the game. Halo Infinite was originally supposed to be released during the upcoming holiday season. Chris Lee, the Studio Head for Halo Infinite, remarked, “The extra time will let us finish the critical work necessary to deliver the most ambitious Halo game ever at the quality we know our fans expect.” There is currently not a set release date for the game. 343 Industries are certainly not the first developers to delay...
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Earlier this month, we reported that Mozilla -- the company behind the Firefox web browser -- was starting to see some of the ill-effects of its worst fears concerning Microsoft's switch to Chromium for its Edge web browser. Microsoft announced its decision to abandon EdgeHTML for Edge in late 2018, after which Mozilla's Chris Beard decried, "Microsoft’s decision gives Google more ability to single-handedly decide what possibilities are available to each one of us. We compete with Google because the health of the internet and online life depend on competition and choice." Fast forward to the present day, roughly 7 months after the first public release of Chromium Edge, and Firefox...
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After being alerted to a "medium" security flaw in Windows 10 by Google's Project Zero team, Microsoft took a swing and a miss at fixing it through yesterday's cumulative Patch Tuesday roll out. As per Project Zero's policy, the vulnerability has now been disclosed to the public, as Microsoft failed to address it within the usual 90-day disclosure period. For anyone who is not familiar, the Project Zero team researches security issues, particularly zero-day bugs, and passes on its findings to software companies. Those companies then have 90 days to plug up the security hole before Project Zero discloses its findings. Software outfits like Microsoft can request an extension, but whether one is...
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Microsoft in the early morning hours revealed official details for its first flagship phone in years: the Surface Duo. Specifications for the device have leaked frequently since the device was officially unveiled back in October 2019, and Microsoft’s production specs largely line up with those previous reports. First off all, let's delve into the specs for this intriguing dual-screen Android smartphone. Both Gorilla Glass-protected OLED displays measures 5.6 inches diagonally, and feature a resolution of 1800x1350. When combined, you're looking at a workspace with a diagonal size of 8.1 inches with an effective workspace area of 2700x1800 (which just so happens to be the same 3:2...
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Updated 8/11/2020 @ 4:00pm Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Series X will launch in November, although it didn't specify when in November. Microsoft added that 100s of Xbox Series X-optimized games will be available at launch, and that the highly anticipated Halo Infinite won't be one of those games. Instead, developer 343 Industries says that Halo Infinite will arrive some time in 2021. Our original story continues unaltered below. As we get closer to the launch of Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox Series X game console, additional [previously unknown] details have leaked to the public. Most recently, the official Xbox Series X controller was pictured along with its retail...
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Subscribers to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service can now try out Microsoft's new game streaming platform today, August 11. Microsoft is launching a new version of the Xbox Game Pass beta app for Android users that enables game streaming, which was previously known as Project xCloud. The official launch date for the new game streaming service is September 15. Microsoft says that the limited beta starting today is meant to ensure a smooth transition to the cloud gaming experience on Android. Microsoft also confirmed that existing Xbox Game Pass beta app users would have the opportunity to test a subset of available titles. Players should be aware the service is a beta experience, and may not...
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Look, we all know that Google's Chrome browser can be a bit of a memory hog at times. He's like the guy in group who completely ignores social etiquette when it comes to sharing appetizers, and helps himself to the lion's share of cheese sticks, including the last one that no one else dares take. Not because of mold or any such nonsense, but because that's the ritual—you leave the last appetizer on the plate for the next person, who does the same, and then we all look on in silent disappointment when the waiter takes it away. Now imagine if someone called out Bob for devouring four of the six cheese sticks, among a group of five. Well, Windows 10 is going to do that with apps like Chrome...
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Rumors have been swirling for months that Microsoft was preparing to launch a cheaper next-generation console with reduced specifications compared to the Xbox Series X. Previous reporting has suggested the more affordable console would be called the Xbox Series S and might be unveiled soon. While the console's name had been rumored for a while, the packaging for this leaked next-gen controller actually confirms it. The source of the photos is a Twitter user named Zak S, who claims he purchased the controller on resale site OfferUp for $35. Zak was asked if the seller said where he got them in the thread, and no answer was given. A short video of the controller can be seen in the tweet below....
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What appears to be official renderings of the anticipated dual screen Microsoft Surface Duo phone have leaked again online. The renderings are thought to be what Microsoft plans to use in its marketing materials for the new dual display Android smartphone. There are four renderings of the device, with the first showing the phone closed with its square mirror-like Surface logo on the back. The other renderings show the Surface Duo in various stages of opening. In the two images with the Duo partially opened, we get a good glimpse at the device's thickness, which appears to be on par with the Surface Pro tablet line. While these are the first seemingly official renderings that have turned...
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2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic, has been a banner year for gamers. Game sales have hit new highs, while both Microsoft and Sony have next-generation game consoles launching this year. Microsoft also has its game streaming service, previously known as Project xCloud, is coming soon to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft tested Project xCloud on iOS devices in a closed public preview with 10,000 users, but that preview came to an abrupt end earlier this week. The Microsoft streaming service won't land for iOS users, and many gamers are angry about that rejection. Apple has now offered details on why the service is banned. For Apple, the reason is clear - it can't review each game available...
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Crazy times we live in, isn't it? No, I'm not talking about virus outbreaks or anything political, though that whole toilet paper shortage was certainly interesting (thankfully it looks like that's well behind us now). Instead, I mean the ability to run Android apps on Windows 10. Not in every situation, but with Microsoft's Your Phone app, it is possible on select Samsung Galaxy devices. The update is the latest in an ongoing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung, with the two hooking up around this time last year to "empower people to achieve more across new Samsung devices and Microsoft experiences." In a way, the partnership is an admission by both companies that PCs and mobile devices...
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There have been a handful of rumors floating about over the last few weeks regarding Microsoft and their Xbox Live memberships. It appears that these rumors are false, as Microsoft recently confirmed that they have no plans to rename Xbox Live or get rid of Xbox Live Gold. Several events occurred over the past few weeks that fed these rumors. First, Microsoft changed their terms of service, using the phrase “Xbox online service” instead of “Xbox Live”. This caused many Xbox Live users to speculate that Microsoft would be renaming or eliminating Xbox Live. However, a Microsoft representative stated that this was not their intent when they used the phrase “Xbox...
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While Microsoft has been testing its Project xCloud game streaming service on iOS devices via TestFlight, the service is set to launch exclusively on Android devices. A launch for iOS devices may never happen thanks to App Store guidelines that are unfriendly to streaming games from the cloud. In fact, Microsoft has already ended its Project xCloud trial early; timing that just so happens to lineup with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20/Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S7/S7+. Both device families come with a special version of Xbox Game Pass that supports cloud game streaming. The current testing phase was previously scheduled to end on September 11. Project xCloud is Microsoft's game-streaming...
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Microsoft Explains Why Chromium Edge Browser Was Crashing With Google Set As Default Search Provider
Something weird and seemingly fishy was going on with Microsoft's retooled Edge browser, whereby changing the default search engine from Bing to Google was causing it to crash. Was that by nefarious design? The answer is no, even if some people will never believe it. Instead, the culprit turned out to be a change in Google's search service, and not a tweak to Edge. The suspicious issue manifested around a week ago, when Edge users noticed that typing in the browser's address bar would cause it to crash, though only if Google was set as the default search option. At the time, Microsoft offered up a temporary workaround while it investigated the cause, and worked out a fix, which is now available....
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Late last month, we learned that Microsoft will be rolling its Project xCloud game streaming service into its popular Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service. Cloud game streaming will be a "free" add-on to the package that already includes an Xbox Live Gold subscription and access to over 100 console and PC games. Microsoft this morning announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to stream games from their Android smartphone or tablet starting on September 15th. At launch, there will be over 100 games available to select from across a wide variety of genres. The service, however, will still be in beta as Microsoft works to ensure the stability of the platform. Gamers...
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Microsoft has just announced that a new Microsoft Store experience will soon be available for the current family of Xbox One consoles. Rather than a minor update to the existing storefront, Microsoft says that this is a “completely rebuilt” interface that is focused on speed and ease of use. On the speed front, Microsoft says that the new Xbox Store will load twice as fast as previous iterations, meaning that it will launch in less than two seconds. The speed benefits are not only attributed to performance improvements, but also in how quickly you can find the content that you’re looking for; be it a new game, a trailer for a TV or movie release (which are viewable inline with...
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Microsoft is fed up with CCleaner, a popular utility that has been around for a decade and a half. Originally called "Crap Cleaner," CCleaner aims to do a better job at removing files and programs than Windows does on its own, with the promise of making PCs run faster. However, Microsoft has updated its Windows Defender security scanner to recognize CCleaner as a PUA, or potentially unwanted application. To be clear, a PUA is different from a virus or outright malware. On the surface, Microsoft's issue with CCleaner is that the free and trial-based paid versions come bundled with applications that are not required or even produced by Piriform, the company that developed the utility. "While the...
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Microsoft has confirmed that CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald Trump have had a conversation about the software giant purchasing popular social networking app TikTok. Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions on exploring the possible purchase of TikTok's U.S operations. The software giant says that it "fully appreciates" the importance of addressing the President's concerns and notes that it is committed to acquiring TikTok. However, Microsoft says that its willingness to purchase the social networking application is subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the U.S. Treasury. The software giant says that it's moving...
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Back in April, we reported that the Edge browser is quickly gaining market share now that Microsoft has transitioned from the EdgeHTML engine to the more widely used Chromium engine (which also underpins Google's Chrome browser). At the time, Edge slipped into the second-place slot for desktop web browsers, with a 7.59 percent share of the market. This dropped Mozilla’s Firefox – which has long been the second-place browser behind Chrome – into third place. Now, at the start of August, we’re getting some fresh numbers in for the desktop browser market, and things aren’t looking good for Mozilla. Microsoft increased its share of the browser market...
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Simulation fans worldwide have been waiting in anticipation for Microsoft Flight Simulator to launch. The 2020 version of the game is packed with features that make it by far the most realistic flying simulation ever created. With the game available for preorder on Steam, we finally have a chance to see how many gamers are willing to plunk down their money. The answer is a bunch. The game has climbed to the top of the charts for Steam sales in many parts of the world. In France, Asobo Studio recently tweeted that Microsoft Flight Simulator was at the top of the Steam sales charts. In the United States, Microsoft Flight Simulator currently sits in the sixth place spot putting it directly above...
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