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It seems the vulnerability is a wormable flaw similar to BlueKeep and was sent out with Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday. Both Cisco Talos and Fortinet confirmed the leak, which is now tracking at CVE-2020-0796. Fortinet points out the Server Message Block vulnerability is “a Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Microsoft SMB Servers”. The company has assigned the bug with its highest critical rating. “The vulnerability is due to an error when the vulnerable software handles a maliciously crafted compressed data packet,” Fortinet adds....

Announced this week, the Meta Builder Bot helps people create virtual worlds just by typing a description. Zuckerberg unveiled the tool at a special presentation, although Meta says it is still in the prototype phase. During the event, the executive showed how Builder Bot could create a cloudy island paradise scene with trees, clouds, hydrofoil and other elements. Furthermore, the Bot could also create audio such as bird sounds and ambient sounds....

However, Microsoft said Affirmed Networks will be part of its ongoing driving to partner with telecommunications companies. We have already seen Microsoft strike a major collaboration with AT&T to deliver Azure-powered 5G services. It is unclear if Microsoft finalized the deal for Affirmed Networks before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the company announced the deal on March 26. “We look forward to building on the great work by Affirmed Networks with its leadership in virtualized mobile networks....

According to Microsoft, that’s enough to stream 71 million high-definition videos simultaneously and is 16 million times faster than the average home connection. Dubbed Marea, the cable lands in Bilbao, providing easy paths to hubs in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. “Marea comes at a critical time,” said Microsoft president Brad Smith. “Submarine cables in the Atlantic already carry 55 percent more data than trans-Pacific routes and 40 percent more data than between the U....

With this release, developers have access to Cloud Foundry’s command line management tools. The new suite will improve the way open source infrastructure management software integrated with Microsoft’s cloud services. Microsoft says the management tools will be set to default in Azure Cloud Shell. Additionally, Cloud Foundry will also now integrate with Azure SQL Database. With the integration, dev’s will be able to use Microsoft’s database on their Cloud Foundry deployments....

Well, analyst firm Canalys has published a report detailing how much organizations spent on cloud infrastructure during the second quarter of 2018. Interestingly, it makes good reading for all the leading cloud providers. A total of $20bn was spend in the last frame. The situation is something I have discussed before… this is a good time to be a cloud provider. All major players in the market are growing, but each is fairly secure in their current market position....

On May 31st, Microsoft will shutter the portals more than two years after it discontinued the Band. Over the last two years, the Microsoft Band has remained useful because the related software has remained open. That is about to change, and support will end. The company says the backend will be closed and the apps will be removed from Apple’s App Store, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store. By June, all cloud-powered services will stop working....

If you are unfamiliar with Azure Data Box, it is a rentable data-transfer and storage appliance that is ruggedized and tamper-proof. Data Box provides up to 100TB of data transfer and allows Azure infrastructure to be created on the move. Microsoft also provides a Azure Data Box Disk and Azure Data Box Heavy. Azure Data Box Edge is described as a “1U rack-mountable appliance”. It allows users to manage and store data before transferring it to Azure datacenters....

3D View gives users the ability to view their creations from any angle. You may remember we reported on this feature back in January when it was in preview and called Free View. With a complete view of a model through intuitive positioning. Users can see their 3D designs in an orbit view and then continue editing while in this view, withouth the need for heading back to the 2D camera....

This core experience extends across math problems at elementary, middle, and high school levels. Microsoft has leveraged its artificial intelligence technology to power Math Solver. Solving a problem requires minimum user input. Users simply write the problem into the app or take a photo with the device camera. Math Solver automatically recognizing the problem and offers the answer. More importantly, the app is a true education tool because it breaks down the problem....

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in San Francisco, Nadella was positive about Xbox. Among his comments, he said he is “very happy” with the gaming division. As well he should be. Xbox One launched to a sea of controversy as Microsoft tried to stifle gamers with an always connected model. The company also sold the console as a living room entertainment unit as much as a gaming machine....

If you’re unfamiliar with Microsoft Cloud PC, it is a service that will leverage Azure cloud to bring a virtualized version of Windows 10 to customers. It runs on Windows Virtual Desktop and is powered by Microsoft Azure. Sure, Windows Virtual Desktop already lets users tap into Windows on the cloud. However, it is not a true virtualized version of Windows 10. Cloud PC will provide a cloud-based version of Windows that users can tap into from Microsoft servers....

I commented yesterday that this was an aggressive move by Microsoft. Not least because users who are downloading a third-party have already made their mind up. They probably don’t want to be pushed to try Edge. So, App Suggestions for Microsoft Edge will likely bring controversy, especially when Microsoft’s wording is considered: “You already have Microsoft Edge – the safer, faster browser for Windows 10,” the pop up reads while recommending the native Windows 10 browser....

Earlier this year, we discussed Microsoft’s update plans for Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. The company promised over 400 changes to the services, including new features and tools. Specifically, the changes would be delivered in two waves. Wave 1 is ongoing until September, but Microsoft has last month offered some dates for when Wave 2 will be available. As the company promised then, its release plans are now live as of July 8....

Today, Microsoft has returned and made some changes. The company has confirmed SQL Server 2017 will start the new Cumulative Updates (CU) cycle. However, Microsoft says it has changed its mind about CU Slipstream Media and it will not be available with CU12. With SQL Server 2019 just around the corner, Microsoft says that platform will also get the Modern Servicing Model. In terms of Cumulative Updates, Microsoft will update SQL Server every month starting with CU13 on December 18....

Microsoft has rolled out a Cortana update for users on Android, iOS, and Windows 10. Specifically, the release is focused on bringing more functionality to the assistant for smart home accessories. Both features can be found under Cortana>Notebook>Manage Skills>Connected Home and are described as: Scenes allows users to pair smart home functions together. For example, users can sync lights and thermostats to work together through a single command with Cortana....

According to the Electronic Times of India, Microsoft has been in talks to invest digital payment platform Paytm. Redmond will participate in a funding round that could raise up to $100 million for the firm. Paytm is an emerging e-commerce platform based in India and allows customers to pay utility bills, top up their mobile phone, and pay for services like movies, travel, and events. It also manages in-store purchases like groceries and products....

Most major financial institutions have a mobile app. These applications are customer gateways into banking services, such as moving and managing money. Application usage already sits at 800 million per day, and the number doing most their financial dealings through mobile will increase. Preventing fraud is difficult, especially on platforms like Android where security is less than stellar. Microsoft has published a blog post that shows how the company has leveraged AI within Azure to combat mobile fraud....

Innovators in quantum computing face the challenge of creating algorithms on current hardware for scalable quantum computers of the future. There are restrictions in computations that hamper innovation. Building algorithms that will run on more powerful hardware in the future comes with acceleration issues. Microsoft says Azure Quantum Resource Estimator helps innovators to address these challenges. It relies on the importance of data for building, testing, and refining algorithms for practical quantum computing solutions of the future....

OOBE stands for “Out of the Box Experience” and is the install walkthrough you navigate for new Windows installations. The blue background guide is also available on major feature updates. In Windows 10, the OOBE allows users to configure their settings during system setup. For example, they can customize privacy levels, choose preferred services, select a keyboard layout, setup internet connections, and choose a language. The OOBE also gives users the ability to customize their personal experience....