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Microsoft News
Geek Wire
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A new look at Microsoft’s startup story, with insights for today: Microsoft @ 50, Chapter 2
- Microsoft's decision to focus on software rather than producing its own PC defined its business in the early years. Margaret O’Mara, a University of Washington historian, described its decision as savvy, making its market equal to the world of personal computers. At that point, it had grown to around 50 people since moving to Bellevue, Washington, and the IBM Personal Computer was a year away from hitting the market.
- Microsoft was scrambling to come with a 16-bit operating system for what would become its defining PC product. Publicly, Microsoft's vision was to have 'A PC on every desk and in every home,' running Microsoft software inside. The company has expanded into hardware, such as modern-day Microsoft Surface computers, but its early focus on software set it apart.
- Microsoft's first annual profit hovered around $2-3m, on about $5m in revenue. Its first outside investor, Technology Venture Investors (TVI), invested $1m for a 5% stake, when it had a $20m valuation - relatively tiny compared to the company's $3.1tn value today.
- David Marquardt, Microsoft's first outside investor, had a background in mechanical engineering. His partnership with TVI later invested $1m in Microsoft in 1981, as the company faced skepticism from partners who avoided backing software startups. It was the case believing the cost of producing a copy of a software program was zero, driving profits to zero, too.
- Paul Allen and Bill Gates made a complementary dreamer/doer and hacker/hustler duo. As educated programmers, and young entrepreneurs with innate abilities to code and deep understanding of technology, Gates applied his ambitions to business, too. Microsoft's hard-charging, at times argumentative culture, contributed to gender biases and homogeneity in the tech industry, which legacy the market felt and continues to feel.
- Location was critical for Microsoft from the beginning - its decision to locate in Albuquerque near MITS and later in the Seattle region where Allen and Gates grew up. The move allowed the company to tap into the pool of engineering talent emerging from the UW.
- At times, it seemed like the company had to bring the market into existence by sheer force of will, demonstrated by Gates' landmark “Open Letter to Hobbyists.” This mindset translated into Microsoft's larger approach, which ultimately contributed to the business activities that led to the landmark U.S. antitrust case against the company.
- Throughout its history, Microsoft has seen its greatest success when it has taken advantage of discontinuities in technology, starting with the rise of the personal computer. It has figured out how to increase productivity from early days.
- In 1986, as Microsoft prepared for its initial public offering, the company's IPO prospectus signaled another disruption on the way - describing the recent release of a 'graphical operating environment that runs on the Microsoft MS-DOS operating systems.'
- In sum, Microsoft's success can be attributed to a focus on software, taking advantage of discontinuities in technology, strategic and fruitful partnerships in product development, and a strong sense of place.
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Kotaku
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Xbox Boss Says No 'Red Line' With Exclusives, Including Even Halo
- Microsoft's CEO of gaming, Phil Spencer, says more Xbox games will be coming to other platforms, including potentially the next Halo game.
- Spencer stated that there are no 'red lines' in their portfolio that prevent games from being released on other consoles.
- He mentioned that it is too early to make a decision on the next version of Halo regarding its availability on other platforms.
- Recent reports suggest that Microsoft's leadership is pushing for more Xbox games to transition to PlayStation and Switch.
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Massivelyop
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Elder Scrolls Online releases U44 on console as ZeniMax Workers United goes on strike
- Elder Scrolls Online U44 update is now available for console players, bringing new content and revamp of PvP.
- The update includes two new companions, updates to the scribing system, and a new reward track.
- ZeniMax Workers United, the union governing ZeniMax branches, has gone on strike to pressure Microsoft to address their demands.
- The strike is aimed at addressing issues like remote work options, outsourcing, job security, and improved working conditions.
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Bravenewcoin
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Microsoft’s Risky Dance with Bitcoin – Why They Shouldn’t Ignore Big Daddy BTC
- Microsoft is set to vote on whether to assess Bitcoin as an investment option, with the National Center for Public Policy Research proposing the motion. If the company ignores Bitcoin and prices later rise, Microsoft could face lawsuits from disgruntled shareholders for negligence in its 'fiduciary duty' to maximise returns. MicroStrategy, a business intelligence firm with an aggressive Bitcoin investment strategy, has already outperformed Microsoft by over 300% in 2021. Bitcoin's adoption and institutional embrace continue to advance, making Microsoft's reluctance look dated and potentially irrelevant.
- Ethan Peck, deputy director of NCPPR's Free Enterprise Project, said shareholders might have grounds to sue Microsoft in a "coulda, woulda, shoulda" scenario. Even if the proposal fails, the conversation will not go away as each Bitcoin rally pushes shareholders to demand change. Microsoft and other tech giants must decide if they want to lead the charge into a new financial frontier or risk becoming irrelevant in the eyes of investors.
- Companies are legally obligated to do what's best for shareholders, and ethically they must consider all asset classes. A missed opportunity could become a "coulda, woulda, shoulda" lawsuit scenario if Microsoft shuns Bitcoin entirely. Moreover, Bitcoin's track record could play a valuable role as a store of value for Fortune 500 companies and asset managers.
- Microsoft's board has already recommended shareholders vote against the motion. However, other companies' aggressive Bitcoin investment strategies means Microsoft's risk-averse strategy looks increasingly irrelevant to forward-thinking investors.
- Bitcoin currently hovers around $67,000, and despite recent volatility, the trend is upwards. The introduction of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and wider institutional embrace of crypto assets means Microsoft's reluctance will soon look dated.
- The vote on Bitcoin investment will take place in December. Even if it fails, the discussions will likely plant seeds for future shareholder engagement. Microsoft needs to decide whether being a latecomer to Bitcoin is worth the risk of becoming irrelevant.
- In the rapidly shifting tech landscape, Microsoft must consider whether it wants to look like a latecomer to the new financial frontier or lead the charge. Bitcoin adoption is moving forward regardless, making Microsoft's hesitance to engage in this space increasingly irrelevant.
- MicroStrategy's performance in 2021, with a fraction of Microsoft's resources, workforce and market power, highlights the rewards of engaging in an aggressive Bitcoin investment strategy. Microsoft has no room to ignore Bitcoin as merely a 'speculative asset' and could face discontent from shareholders if prices surge.
- Otherwise, Microsoft risks misinterpreting Bitcoin's role in diversified portfolios, not just as a hedge against inflation but as a groundbreaking store of value. The new financial frontier requires companies to lead and embrace change - Microsoft has to decide which side it is on.
- If Microsoft wants to keep up with the ever-evolving tech and finance landscape, it must consider cryptocurrencies beyond just Bitcoin. It remains to be seen if Microsoft will lead the charge or ignore the new financial frontier, and risk falling behind its peers.
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Kotaku
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Xbox Is Working On A Gaming Handheld But It's Still A Few Years Out
- Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed that Xbox is working on a PC gaming handheld.
- The portable device is still a few years away and plans could change depending on market conditions.
- Microsoft is exploring its own dedicated PC gaming device while expanding its Xbox exclusives to other platforms.
- It is unclear what an Xbox handheld would offer that is different from existing options like the Steam Deck, Rog Ally, and Switch.
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Playstationlifestyle
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No Xbox Games Off Limits to PlayStation, Says Microsoft
- Microsoft executive Phil Spencer has reiterated that there are “no red lines” when it comes to Xbox games on PlayStation.
- Spencer teases possibility of Xbox’s Halo on PlayStation, but no final decision has been made yet.
- Microsoft is eyeing more acquisitions, but no new major acquisition is imminent after Activision Blizzard.
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Solarwinds
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Join SolarWinds (and Sascha Giese) at Microsoft Ignite
- SolarWinds and Sascha Giese will be present at Microsoft Ignite in Chicago.
- SolarWinds Tech Evangelist Sascha Giese will be running group demos at the booth.
- SolarWinds customer Joshua Coursey will share details of their experience at the event.
- SolarWinds Observability and its AI and machine learning capabilities will be showcased at the event.
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Analyticsindiamag
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Google Takes the AI Accelerator Fast Lane
- Google recently announced the Emerging ISV Partner Springboard, a 12-week program to help AI startups accelerate their growth.
- Google is partnering with famous accelerators like Y Combinator to provide startups with dedicated access to GPUs and TPUs, cloud credits, support, and mentorship.
- Google's ecosystem of products and services simplifies operations for new founders and reduces barriers to entry.
- By partnering with other AI accelerators and offering various programs, Google aims to support emerging AI startups and stay competitive in the cloud services market.
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Analyticsindiamag
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Top AI Agents of 2024
- AI agents are being adopted across industries, simplifying complex tasks with data-driven decision-making.
- Oracle introduced AI agents in its Fusion Cloud suite, including a document agent for streamlined tasks.
- Microsoft introduced autonomous agents with Copilot Studio, supporting sales, service, finance, and supply chains.
- Anthropic's AI model Claude 3.5 enables human-like computer use, while Google plans an AI agent named Project Jarvis.
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Inkbotdesign
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The New MSN Logo and it’s Butterfly Effect
- Microsoft's latest MSN rebrand features a contemporary aesthetic with nostalgic elements that take users back to the golden age of early internet culture.
- The butterfly motif was thoughtfully reimagined to resonate with both veteran users and digital natives.
- From the vibrant Y2K aesthetics to today's refined minimalism, the evolution of web design can be traced through this single piece of corporate identity.
- The original MSN launch marked a significant milestone in the internet experience when Microsoft unveiled it alongside Windows 95.
- In 2014, Microsoft opted for a minimalist black design that aligned with the contemporary design trends of the time to modernize the MSN experience.
- The transition from Microsoft Start to MSN marks a strategic return to a brand that resonates with millions and leverages a trusted name that's been part of the internet landscape since Windows 95.
- The new MSN logo seamlessly integrates across different platforms and balances contemporary minimalism with brand recognition.
- The gradient-rich butterfly emblem isn't just a design choice – it's a calculated move to tap into millennial nostalgia and perfectly fits the current sentiment of nostalgic comebacks in design.
- The value of MSN's brand recognition remains remarkably strong, making it a powerful asset for Microsoft's rebranding strategy.
- Industry professionals praise Microsoft's bold embrace of nostalgia while maintaining modern design principles, sparking a broader conversation about your relationship with digital brands from the past and how they can evolve while maintaining their emotional connection with users.
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Medium
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Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.95: Revolutionizing AI-Powered Coding with Copilot Edits and More!
- Visual Studio Code 1.95 introduces Copilot Edits, powered by GitHub Copilot, allowing for AI-powered code suggestions and iterations across multiple files.
- The update also includes improved GitHub account management, enabling users to be logged into multiple GitHub accounts simultaneously.
- Visual Studio Code 1.95 brings forth several other features to enhance the coding experience.
- Overall, Visual Studio Code 1.95 offers developers innovative tools and AI-powered capabilities that can revolutionize coding and improve productivity.
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Qualys
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Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, November 2024 Security Update Review
- Microsoft has released its November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, targeting various vulnerabilities that could impact users and organizations worldwide.
- This month’s updates also included one Defense in Depth update for Microsoft SharePoint Server.
- In this month’s updates, Microsoft has addressed four zero-day vulnerabilities known to be exploited in the wild.
- Adobe has released eight security advisories to address 48 vulnerabilities in Adobe Bridge, Adobe Audition, Adobe After Effects, Substance 3D Painter, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Commerce.
- Microsoft has fixed several flaws in multiple software, including Spoofing, Denial of Service (DoS), Elevation of Privilege (EoP), Information Disclosure, Security Feature Bypass, and Remote Code Execution (RCE).
- This month’s release notes cover multiple Microsoft product families and products/versions affected, including, but not limited to, Windows Package Library Manager, SQL Server, Microsoft Virtual Hard Drive, Windows SMBv3 Client/Server, Windows USB Video Driver, Microsoft Windows DNS, Windows NTLM, Windows Registry, .NET and Visual Studio, Windows Update Stack.
- Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities may lead to arbitrary code execution.
- Microsoft has addressed three vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) in this month’s updates.
- Microsoft has released its November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, targeting various vulnerabilities that could impact users and organizations worldwide.
- The Qualys Research team hosts a monthly webinar series to help our existing customers leverage the seamless integration between Qualys Vulnerability Management Detection Response (VMDR) and Qualys Patch Management.
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Sdtimes
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.NET 9 is now available with several performance improvements
- .NET 9 is now available with over 1,000 performance updates, including a 15% increase in requests per second and a 93% reduction in memory usage compared to .NET 8.
- The release introduces support for Arm64 SVE and Intel AVX10, along with improved performance for Arm64, loops, PGO, and bounds checks in the JIT compiler.
- .NET 9 enhances AI capabilities by collaborating with Semantic Kernel for C# abstractions and improving performance in Microsoft.ML.Tokenizers and Tensor
. - Other updates include optimizations in ASP.NET Core, improvements in Blazor framework, and updates in OpenAPI document generation, ASP.NET Core security, .NET MAUI, and the .NET Aspire stack.
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Windows
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DirectML unlocks new silicon for AI experiences across Windows Copilot+ PCs
- DirectML works to simplify how developers can scale their AI innovations across Windows.
- Adobe, Capture One, and Affinity Photo 2 have leveraged DirectML on Copilot+ PC NPUs across different hardware architectures, local device accelerators, and machine learning frameworks.
- Adobe Premiere Pro's Audio Category Tagger, powered by Intel Core Ultra and DirectML, automates sound classification of clips as sound effects, music, dialog, etc., helping creatives to start editing audio files right away.
- Capture One's Match Look feature allows you to instantly match the style or edits of a reference image while AI Crop allows you to make instant and consistent crops for all images.
- Affinity Photo 2's Object Selection is a newly announced feature that uses ML to quickly isolate and segment objects within an image, eliminating the grunt work of manually creating layer masks.
- DirectML is excited to partner with Adobe, Capture One, and Affinity Photo 2 to bring their AI innovations to life.
- DirectML is always excited to see the creative and amazing ways developers are innovating with AI tools.
- Stay tuned for more DirectML features coming soon.
- To learn more about DirectML, visit aka.ms/directml.
- DirectML will support an open platform for AI on Windows promoting an open and diverse hardware ecosystem among developers.
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TechViral
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Image Credit: TechViral
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Coming To Xbox Game Pass Today
- Microsoft announced that Spyro Reignited Trilogy will join Xbox Game Pass today.
- Players can access the game across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard, and PC Game Pass.
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a remastered collection of the first three Spyro games.
- The trilogy offers players the chance to relive the adventures of Spyro, a courageous purple dragon.
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