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Microsoft News
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Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Isn’t Really Sold On Mid-Cycle Upgrades Like PS5 Pro: ‘It’s Harder To Show The Benefits’
- Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has cast doubt on the need for a mid-cycle console upgrade due to advancements in technology.
- Spencer suggests that it's harder to show the benefits of mid-cycle upgrades now as consoles are technologically more advanced.
- Microsoft has released mid-cycle upgrades in the past, like the Xbox One X, but Spencer questions the uniqueness of the experience offered by new devices.
- Spencer's comments come as Sony recently launched the PS5 Pro, a mid-cycle refresh of the PS5 console.
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Kotaku
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Xbox Promises More Gaming Consoles In The Future And Throws Shade At PS5 Pro
- Microsoft's latest holiday marketing campaign emphasizes playing Xbox games on various devices.
- Despite promoting platform-agnostic gaming, Microsoft plans to release new Xbox consoles in the future.
- Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer reassures fans about the platform's future and expresses openness to multiplatform releases.
- Microsoft is also working on a dedicated PC gaming handheld and remains committed to hardware in the next 5-10 years.
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Windows
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Feel the merriment with Microsoft Store Black Friday and Cyber Week savings on the season’s hottest tech, from Surface to Xbox
- Score hot holiday deals on top tech at Microsoft Store during Black Friday and Cyber Week. Choose from Surface Copilot+ PCs, Xbox offerings and more.
- Enjoy 24/7 online support and flexible payment options to make shopping easier. Fast and free 2-3-day shipping available for most products.
- Get up to $600 cash back when you trade in an eligible used device and buy a new Copilot+ PC Surface Laptop or Surface Pro. Offer ends Dec. 14.
- Use Microsoft Store’s new AI-powered Store Assistant chat experience to help you learn about Microsoft products and assist you in searching for the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
- Save up to $400 on select Surface Pro and 20% on Surface Pro Flex Keyboard. Save up to $400 on select Surface Laptop.
- Enjoy discounts up to 60% on PC games and up to 55% on games purchased from the Microsoft Store on Xbox. Save up to 50% on select movies and TV shows.
- Get up to 50% off on select apps in the Microsoft Store on Windows. Visit the Microsoft website for additional offers on Xbox consoles, controllers and games.
- Offers are U.S.-only. Check your local Microsoft Store for deals in your region.
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Playstationlifestyle
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Mid-Gen Upgrades Like PS5 Pro Are Unnecessary, Says Xbox Boss
- Xbox boss Phil Spencer believes that mid-gen hardware upgrades like PS5 Pro are unnecessary.
- According to Spencer, technology has advanced to a point where it's becoming harder to show significant improvements in the middle of a console's life cycle.
- He suggests that new devices need to offer a unique experience on screen to justify their existence.
- Spencer also mentions the need for creative and adaptive approaches to reach new players, rather than expensive consoles.
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TechJuice
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2,500 Employees Laid Off by Microsoft After $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Purchase
- Microsoft has laid off approximately 2,500 employees following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- Layoffs primarily affected the gaming division, with 1,900 employees cut during Q3 and an additional 650 jobs eliminated later.
- Despite the layoffs, Microsoft's head of gaming affirmed the company's commitment to the Xbox division and plans to diversify into mobile and cloud-based gaming sectors.
- The layoffs have raised concerns about Microsoft's priorities and treatment of its workforce, as the company aims for aggressive growth and expansion.
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Insider
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Elon Musk adds Microsoft as a defendant in OpenAI lawsuit, accusing them of anticompetitive conduct
- Elon Musk has added Microsoft as a defendant to an amended lawsuit against OpenAI.
- The suit accuses Microsoft and OpenAI of forming a monopoly in the AI market.
- Musk claims OpenAI is trying to 'starve' rivals of AI talent by offering lavish compensation.
- The lawsuit also names Reid Hoffman, a Microsoft board member, as a defendant.
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TechJuice
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Sony May Be Preparing to Enter the Handheld Gaming Market Again
- Sony, a major player in the handheld gaming market, may be preparing for a major comeback, particularly after Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, revealed that Microsoft is also venturing into handheld gaming.
- Speculation suggests that Sony could unveil the new handheld as early as 2025, sparking rumors of a potential launch of their portable console.
- Sony faces competition from Nintendo's successful Switch console, which has sold over 146 million units as of September 2024.
- Analysts estimate that the new Sony handheld could cost between $300 and $500, offering better performance capabilities compared to previous models.
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Digitaltrends
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NASA tests new AI chatbot to make sense of complex data
- NASA has partnered with Microsoft to develop Earth Copilot, an AI-powered chat tool designed to simplify access to complex geospatial satellite imagery and data.
- Earth Copilot aims to bring NASA's vast collection of Earth-observing satellite data to a wider audience, allowing users to ask questions and receive conversational responses.
- Using generative AI, Earth Copilot can provide insights on various topics such as the impact of natural disasters or the effects of COVID-19 on air quality.
- Currently under testing by NASA scientists, Earth Copilot will eventually be integrated into NASA's VEDA platform for easier data analysis and exploration.
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TechJuice
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Federal Investigation Targets Microsoft Over Alleged Cloud Computing Issues
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Microsoft's cloud computing business.
- The investigation focuses on alleged unfair business practices, including harsh licensing terms and incompatibility with other cloud services.
- FTC took this action after public concerns about strict software licensing and high data transfer fees.
- Microsoft has about 20% of the global cloud market share, second to Amazon Web Services.
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TechCrunch
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Musk’s amended lawsuit against OpenAI names Microsoft as defendant
- Elon Musk's amended lawsuit against OpenAI accuses Microsoft, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and former OpenAI board member Dee Templeton as new defendants.
- The amended complaint alleges that OpenAI is trying to eliminate competitors, such as xAI, and benefiting unfairly from Microsoft's infrastructure and expertise.
- The complaint also raises concerns about antitrust violations involving Microsoft and OpenAI's board members, including Hoffman and Templeton.
- OpenAI has sought to dismiss Musk's lawsuit, dismissing it as baseless.
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Pymnts
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Report: FTC to Investigate Allegedly Anti-Competitive Practices at Microsoft
- The FTC is set to investigate alleged anti-competitive practices at Microsoft's cloud computing business.
- Specifically, the investigation will focus on allegations regarding the use of market power of Office 365 to benefit Azure.
- The allegations include increasing subscription fees for customers who leave, charging steep exit fees, and making Office 365 products incompatible with competitive cloud providers.
- The investigation follows concerns raised by the public about competition in the cloud computing industry.
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TechCrunch
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FTC reportedly begins investigating Microsoft’s cloud business practices
- The FTC is reportedly investigating whether Microsoft used anti-competitive tactics in its cloud business.
- Allegations include punitive licensing agreements, inflated subscription fees, and incompatible products.
- Last year, the FTC sought public comment on anticompetitive concerns in the cloud market.
- The progress of the investigation may be influenced by the change in FTC leadership.
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Siliconangle
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FTC reportedly eyeing Microsoft’s cloud practices for potential anticompetitive behavior
- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly investigating Microsoft's cloud business for potential anticompetitive practices.
- Allegations include Microsoft imposing punitive licensing terms to prevent customers from moving their data from Azure to other platforms.
- The FTC's inquiry is in its early stages, and a formal investigation has not been initiated yet.
- The change of administration in the U.S. may impact the investigation's progress and outcomes.
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Digitaltrends
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Image Credit: Digitaltrends
Windows 11 takes a break on updates until 2025
- Microsoft has confirmed that it is going on holiday break for Windows 11 updates, indicating that any major software features won’t be released until January 2025.
- There won’t be any preview updates released in December 2024, outside of monthly security releases.
- Microsoft is halting the progress of the Preview Build OS version of Windows 11 during the holiday season, as many staff members will be on break.
- Recent security update addressed 91 vulnerabilities in Windows 11, including four actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
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Geek Wire
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Podcast: Revisiting Microsoft’s startup years, in search of new insights
- Microsoft’s startup era was focused on developing software for personal computers, which at the time did not exist in the ’70s.
- David Marquardt, Microsoft’s first outsider investor, details the importance of the team behind Microsoft’s success.
- Microsoft was one of the first enterprises to charge for desktop computing software.
- Microsoft famously struck a deal with IBM that not only got the IBM PCs, but also created a platform that was cloned around the world.
- Microsoft’s choice to move to Seattle was to a get competitive advantage in the job market for programmers and for home reasons.
- It became Microsoft’s town, even after Amazon was established and growing, and is only recently becoming Microsoft’s and Amazon’s town.
- The Seattle job market allowed fewer startup companies, and had a sizable engineering force from the University of Washington.
- Microsoft’s culture in its early days was very hard-charging, which historically was a culture that drove women out of technical roles in tech.
- Success comes with the support of more mainline institutions; the new economy grows on old-economy foundations.
- Microsoft has done so much to define Greater Seattle, despite being a company town, first of timber and then Boeing.
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