Posts

Now, Microsoft has announced Visual Studio 2017 Preview version 15.2. According to the release notes the new version brings several new features including the Data science and analytical workload. This new workload provides a one-click install of all your data analysis needs. It includes support for Python, R, F#, and their respective packages/distros. The workload helps users enable the acquisition, analysis, and visualization of data all the way through to building and deploying machine learning models....

Cortana on Skype would give users the ability to ask the assistant to complete basic tasks, or make entries to the calendar. Microsoft has shuttered the service instantly, so messaging the Cortana bot now brings no response. Microsoft has been sending out notices to users saying the bot is “no longer supported in Skype”, although existing conversations will stay open until April 30. With the rise of Alexa on Windows 10, Cortana is increasingly being moved towards being a productivity-focused virtual assistant....

Microsoft is removing the feature that allowed users to stream over-the-air TV from a USB antenna to the Xbox app on iOS and Android. Microsoft sent the following message to Reddit user icecreamman37 confirming the removal: “You may have streamed TV content using a USB TV tuner from your Xbox console to the Xbox app. In 30 days, the Xbox app on iOS and Android will no longer support this functionality....

The PrintNightmare situation has plagued Windows 11 since the OS made its debut in the fall of 2021. Microsoft has had its share of Windows printing problems through the PrintNightmare problem. PrintNightmare started from an exploit PoC accidentally leaking online in June 2021, to Microsoft later issuing an emergency out-of-band patch. While the situation was different, Windows 11’s printer issues have also come to the 2022 Update (22H2). It is worth noting the PrintNightmare was specifically the June 2021 exploit problem....

Project HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) automates licensing by removing a trainer from the vehicle. Instead, a smartphone is docked to the windshield of a car. Microsoft says HAMS will allow Indian authorities to better police licensing discrepancies. India has a problem with driving tests. Numerous loopholes exist that allow motorists to get licensed without taking an assessment. A survey by SaveLIFE Foundation found 59% of participants didn’t complete a test to get their license....

According to Microsoft, the goal is to bring more security to protect laptops running Windows 10. The company says firmware issued by OEMs often has more privilege than the Windows kernel, allowing attacks to be perpetrated more easily. With secured-core PCs, Windows 10 devices will come with a more secured platform out of the box. Integrated hardware, software, and firmware come in the package. Microsoft points out OEMs will have to meet certain security requirements to get a certification....

He also revealed that recruiter Lindsey McQueeney would be joining the team, who formerly worked for THQ, Crystal Dynamics, and Google. Microsoft is still looking for Art and Technical director, so her help may be invaluable. The information was found on the LinkedIn of studio head Darrel Gallagher, who held executive roles at Activision, Square Enix, and Crystal Dynamics. Though the post was quickly removed, it’s now live again....

His statement follows a paper by AI Now, which contains Google and Microsoft employees. In it, the group calls for regulation and highlights how it can be used to undermine civil liberties. The paper came after news that the secret service wants to test the technology around the white house. “We believe that the only way to protect against this race to the bottom is to build a floor of responsibility that supports healthy market competition....

As most are suggesting it would be better to wait for Surface Duo 2, the last thing Microsoft needs is hardware problems. Unfortunately, owners of the smartphone have hit social media to complain of issue with their handsets. It seems as though a growing number of users are having issues with the body of the device around the USB-C port. This section is chipping and even cracking in some places....

Along with the headsets, the Windows Mixed Reality controllers will give Microsoft its virtual and mixed reality base on Windows. The company has been building its presence in the market slowly, but believes it can redefine it with affordable solutions. Moving through certification is an important step that shows a product is ready for the market. The latest certification for the controllers is the Bluetooth SIG. The certification shows that the controllers are listed as Human Interface Devices....

This feature was improved through the work of a collaboration between Microsoft and Google teams. It also provided Chromium browsers with a native spellchecking tool, removing the need for the third-party hunspell tool. Windows Spellchecker on Chromium has been in development since last year. That’s when Microsoft signaled its intentions to create a standard tool for Chromium. Microsoft says the development allows Edge and Chrome now has improved custom dictionary and support for URLs, email addresses, and acronyms....

Since Microsoft confirmed the Xbox Series X, talk about Xbox Lockhart has mostly died. Now it seems the console does indeed exist, or was at least once in development. Twitter users TitleOS published Windows 10 files that show Xbox Lockhart mentioned. The console is listed alongside its Xbox stablemates: Xbox Durango (the original Xbox One), Xbox Scorpio (Xbox One X) and Xbox Anaconda (Xbox Series X). Furthermore, the files also discuss profiling methods for the console....

Specifically, the resolution is asking for clearer information about what Microsoft does outside of America. In terms of tax, the resolution is essentially telling Microsoft to explain if it pays its taxes fairly around the world. Furthermore, shareholders want to know if Microsoft complies fully with regulations in different markets, including with its financial transactions. Katie Hepworth, responsible tax lead for Pensions & Investment Research Consultants Ltd, describes the resolution in a post: “Technology is a sector that has historically been characterized by tax avoidance, particularly for large multinationals like Microsoft....

Studio Gobo faces competition from several other major toys-to-game franchises. For example, Skylanders and LEGO Dimensions have also found success in this area. However, Disney Infinity has one significant ace up its sleeve. Disney owns some of the most famous characters in history. Aside from its own classic properties, Disney also creates the Marvel Studios moves and the Star Wars movies. Two things should be noted. Studio Gobo is not the only or indeed main developer of Disney Infinity and it is unlikely the company’s collaboration with Microsoft Studios will be related to Disney....

The reason for the change is the ongoing COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic which has forced numerous events to be cancelled. For the Summer Internship Program, Microsoft says it will bring the camp virtually to 4,000 students around the world. The event will focus on building connections, developing learning, and helping interns develop their skills: “We’re fortunate to have the infrastructure and support needed to deliver a world-class remote internship program through onboarding tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365, and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams,” wrote Kathleen Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Microsoft....

Microsoft’s position as a tech giant gives it the ability to be generous, and it’s offering considerable perks free of charge. The main limitation is a restriction of 300 users per free organization, which should be enough for many. However, the app offers unlimited searchable messages versus Slack’s maximum of 10,000. It also has 140+ free integrations versus Slack’s 10, and gives each user 2 GB of storage and each organization 10 GB of shared space....

According to the company, Microsoft Teams will soon receive a Call Merge feature. Microsoft says the tool will arrive in August and will allow users to merge active 1-1 calls into another 1-1 or group call. Functioning across PSTN and VOIP calls, the feature is an extension of what is already available on Skype. This furthers Microsoft’s efforts to bring Skype and Teams closer together. Earlier this year, the company said it was focused on more interoperability between the two services....

There’s still hope, however, for those who aren’t fussed by the different look. Pre-orders for the ‘Standard Edition’ of the One X are still coming before the console’s launch in November. Today, vice president of Xbox marketing Mike Nichols thanked fans for their early support, but he also hinted at more to come. “Although our fans may no longer be able to pre-order the Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition in their country, we know people are still anxious to get their hands on the world’s most powerful console....

1 Viva Pulse2 Viva Amplify3 Answers in Viva4 People in Viva5 Viva Engage6 Viva Goals7 Viva Sales Microsoft has been expanding its Viva employee experience platform over the last couple of use. Based in Microsoft 365, the service is compiled of various components. It is designed to provide a suite of employee tools encompassing knowledge, learning, resources, communications, and insights. Viva already has a number of components available. Today, Microsoft is expanding the capabilities of those apps while also introducing new apps to the Microsoft Viva ecosystem....

Israeli security company Votiro discovered the vulnerability in newer versions of Word. Specifically, a feature in the document program that allows users to embed videos from the internet. Microsoft created the feature to make video inclusion in documents easier as the user no longer needs to upload the content. Of course, this is very useful, but has unfortunately also left a gap for malicious actors. The Word video player can be exploited to run cryptocurrency scripts to allow hackers to steal system resources for mining....