Microsoft has been working on bringing Windows 10 to ARM chipsets for a couple of years now, with the first supported PCs set to go on sale this year. While Microsoft has demonstrated Windows running on ARM before, it has kept quiet about its various limitations. That changed this week …
Read More »Microsoft won’t block keyboard and mouse users on Xbox, but developers can
While consoles don't tend to have official keyboard and mouse support, there are ways around that with adapters. This is something of a concern in multiplayer shooters, where a mouse provides a distinct advantage over a controller. Over the weekend, Xbox VP, Mike Ybarra, was asked if there were plans …
Read More »Windows 10 to get ‘Ultimate Performance’ mode for power users
The next Windows 10 update is just around the corner, and with it comes a brand new power management mode exclusive to Windows 10 Pro users. Ultimate Performance, as it’s dubbed, is built for the high demand of workstations that often process heavy tasks such as 3D modelling and will …
Read More »Microsoft is building a new Skype client to circumvent system permissions bug
Microsoft has confirmed that Skype is currently experiencing a security flaw that can endow attackers with system-level privileges, something which is often reserved for the operating system exclusively. Unfortunately for users of the communication platform, it looks like the company isn’t planning on fixing it at all, instead opting for …
Read More »Microsoft updates Cortana app to add iPad support, boots faster on all platforms
Microsoft’s Cortana has been competing with Apple’s Siri on iPhone for quite some time, but the latest update finally brings the digital assistant to iPad. While all platforms will benefit from the update’s various nips and tucks, the iPad especially will benefit from an “exclusive layout and interface.” The main …
Read More »Microsoft is aware of Skype connectivity issues and has a fix in the works
It seems Skype has been stumbling a little lately, with reports that the messaging app has been giving users repeated connection issues. Microsoft is on the ball, though, having reassured users that a fix is in the works and will be arriving soon. Some users seem to have experienced these …
Read More »Microsoft is reportedly ditching Windows 10 S already
Back in May 2017, Microsoft announced that it would be launching another edition of Windows 10, known as ‘Windows 10 S'. This particular version was intended for cheaper laptops and ultrabooks, with a focus on getting Windows 10 into schools and into the hands of students. Now, less than a …
Read More »Microsoft Surface Pro 4 users are experiencing screen flickering issues
Consumer Reports concluded last year that 25 percent of Microsoft’s Surface owners suffer issues within the first two years, particularly after the warranty has expired beyond the first year. It seems these problems are still continuing as Surface Pro 4 owners are reporting issues with a “flickering screen.” The glitch …
Read More »Windows Defender will soon protect against ‘scareware’
Given that it’s the default anti-virus protection baked into every Windows 10 system and is the bare minimum needed for securing PCs, Microsoft is keen to continue amping up Windows Defender. Aside from just targeting viruses and malware, Microsoft’s anti-virus protector will now target “scareware” too, in order to protect …
Read More »Windows 10 has officially surpassed Windows 7 worldwide
In January last year, Windows 10 officially surpassed Windows 7 here in the UK. Now one year later, Microsoft's latest operating system has managed to just about out-do Windows 7 worldwide, making it the most popular operating system in the world. According to the analytics specialists at StatCounter, Windows 10 …
Read More »Mixrosoft’s Mixer livestreaming service finally gets tipping and direct purchases
Microsoft’s Mixer livestreaming service, formerly known as Beam, is finally helping its content creators further monetise their videos by adding tipping into the mix. Mixer is also taking cues from Twitch’s newer features, as users of its platform will soon be able to guide viewers to a direct purchase of …
Read More »Wild Microsoft acquisition rumours circulate
It is a well known fact at this point that Microsoft is struggling when it comes to delivering first-party content for PC and Xbox. With that in mind, it wouldn't be crazy to think that the company would be looking into buying out other studios. Several big names have been thrown around this week, with the rumor mill pointing towards PUBG Corp, EA and perhaps the most unlikely, Valve.
Read More »Microsoft gets its hands on PlayFab cloud gaming platform
As of today, Microsoft is the proud owner of PlayFab, “a complete backend platform provider of services to build, launch and grow cloud-connected games.” Or rather, it’s a cloud gaming platform that’s used in more than 1,200 games across all platforms, including big names like Killing Floor 2 and Planetary …
Read More »Microsoft’s latest Windows patch disables Intel’s buggy Spectre 2 fix
Over the last few weeks, Intel, Microsoft and other firms have been working double-time to push out fixes for the Spectre bug following its public unveiling. The bug poses as a serious security concern, so there is plenty of need for swift action. However, that has come at the expense …
Read More »Microsoft’s Game Pass service will get all future Xbox exclusives the day they launch, PC players will also get access
Update (24/01/18): Yesterday, Microsoft dropped a major piece of news, announcing that all future Xbox exclusive games would be added to the Xbox Game Pass library on the day of release. At the time, we didn't know whether or not this would tie into Xbox's ‘Play Anywhere' scheme but as …
Read More »Microsoft’s canceled Xbox smartwatch has resurfaced online
As far back as 2013, Microsoft began working on wearable tech, including smartwatches. One of the company's many ideas was actually an Xbox smartwatch, which first appeared on the web in 2017. Now, just a few months later, more details on the prototype have surfaced, alongside a wealth of images. …
Read More »Microsoft is bringing the 15-inch Surface Book 2 to the UK and 16 more countries
Back in mid-October, Microsoft launched the Surface Book 2 in the US. Hailed as the most powerful Surface ever, the laptop features Nvidia GTX 10-series graphics alongside an Intel 8th Gen processor. Since then, the 15-inch of this laptop have only been available in the US, but that is changing …
Read More »Microsoft set to launch new Xbox Elite Controller
Microsoft's original Xbox Elite controller launched back in 2015 and while many balked at the £120 price tag, it still ended up selling very well. Now this year, it looks like Microsoft is preparing to introduce a new and improved Elite controller, upping the ante with more features. The original …
Read More »Microsoft is reportedly bringing back Fable as a story focused RPG
It has been almost two years since Microsoft shut down Lionhead Studios, the creators of Fable. While Lionhead might be gone, it looks like Microsoft isn't giving up on the Fable franchise, with sources this week reporting that a new game in the series is currently in the works. This …
Read More »Today is the last chance to upgrade to Windows 10 for free
Although Microsoft officially stopped offering its free upgrade to Windows 10 in July 2016, many have been able to use an exploit to continue upgrading for free. A deadline of December 31st 2017 was put in place to end those continuing to use the assistive technologies workaround, but it seems …
Read More »Microsoft ends mainstream support for Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 users are now left without mainstream support, as Microsoft officially pulls the plug on the operating system. The company will still continue to offer security updates until 2023, when all support for the platform will end. If you’re regretting sticking with the platform, unfortunately, Microsoft is also no …
Read More »Microsoft has pulled the Kinect adapter for Xbox One S, X and PC from sale
The sun has been setting on the Kinect for quite some time now. Microsoft's console camera peripheral was promptly unbundled from the Xbox One after its initial launch, the Xbox One S dropped the proprietary Kinect port and in October, Microsoft stopped manufacturing the sensor entirely. Now, the final nail …
Read More »Microsoft accused of stealing fan’s concept art for PUBG advertisement
With PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds being just over two weeks old, Microsoft is understandably marketing it as much as possible. One of its latest ads, however, seems to have stolen another artist's concept art in a rather obvious way. In a tweet that has since been deleted, Microsoft posted an image of …
Read More »Microsoft’s Surface brand patents foldable, hinged device
Microsoft has been experimenting with foldable phones and tablets for quite some time now, with its last patent being filed in January. It seems that the company hasn’t given up on the idea, as a new patent has emerged from Microsoft Surface, indicating the possibility of a hinged device making …
Read More »Microsoft introduces AI to Office 365, including Word, Excel and Outlook
Microsoft is upgrading its Office 365 applications using artificial intelligence in order to bring new capabilities to the platforms. The purpose of such is to use machine learning to help users improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Several new capabilities have already been added to Office 365 throughout the …
Read More »Sea of Thieves gets a release date and a new trailer
Microsoft and Rare have been teasing Sea of Thieves for a long time now. At this point, we have a pretty good idea of what the game will be and quite a few have already had the chance to try it out in various alpha/beta tests. Now, we are gearing …
Read More »Process Doppelgänging avoids malware detection on all Windows platforms
With every Windows update, your PC gets strengthened against attacks that are both old and new. All versions, however, are vulnerable to a new fileless code injection technique dubbed Process Doppelgänging, as no antivirus can handle it. The process was discovered by Black Hat Europe, in which researchers Eugene Kogan …
Read More »Microsoft plans supply drop event ahead of PUBG’s Xbox One release
It seems that Microsoft is generating excitement for its exclusive deal to launch PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on its Xbox One next week. The publisher has plans to mimic PUBG’s iconic supply drops by placing three real-life crates across the cities of Australia. One crate will each be placed in Sydney, Melbourne …
Read More »Microsoft and AMD partner up to bring EPYC processors to Azure Cloud
It looks like AMD is gaining more traction with its server-oriented EPYC processors. These 32-core Zen-powered behemoths came out of the gate with wide support from tech companies and we even saw Dropbox sign a deal to start using EPYC to power its cloud storage platform. Now, AMD has scored …
Read More »Windows Update is experiencing problems for those on Windows 7
While Windows 10 is picking up steam and Microsoft is leaving its older operating systems in the dust, Windows 7 still remains rather popular among users. Unfortunately, users of the older OS have recently reported a problem with Windows Update. According to Betanews, users are unable to update their machines, …
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