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Microsoft News
TechJuice
6d
53
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Microsoft-OpenAI partnership set to rethink AI collaboration
- Microsoft-OpenAI partnership undergoing renegotiations for corporate restructuring and AI technology access.
- OpenAI revising corporate strategy to transition into for-profit public benefit corporation while maintaining nonprofit board control.
- Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI and holds a key role in approving the restructuring.
- Renegotiations include discussions on Microsoft's equity in the new for-profit arm and extended access to OpenAI technology.
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Pymnts
6d
28.3k
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OpenAI and Microsoft Reportedly Rework Pact Ahead of Possible IPO
- OpenAI is reworking its agreement with Microsoft, with a focus on a potential IPO and retaining Microsoft's access to AI models.
- Microsoft is a critical player in OpenAI's restructuring to become a public benefit corporation while aiming to turn a profit and stay true to its mission of AI for humanity.
- Discussions include negotiations on the equity Microsoft will receive in the restructured OpenAI, in exchange for its significant investments.
- The companies are revising a contract till 2030, covering IP access and revenue sharing, with Microsoft willing to trade equity for tech access beyond 2030 amidst cooling relations.
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Siliconangle
7d
66
Image Credit: Siliconangle
OpenAI and Microsoft engage in tense negotiations over the future of their partnership
- OpenAI and Microsoft are currently engaged in challenging negotiations over the future of their partnership as OpenAI seeks to redefine its strategic alliance in preparation for a future IPO.
- The talks are crucial for OpenAI as it aims to balance its mission 'to benefit humanity' with the commercial demands of its investors, notably Microsoft, which has already invested over $13 billion in the AI startup.
- OpenAI recently abandoned plans to separate its nonprofit and for-profit arms, indicating that the nonprofit entity will maintain control, while the for-profit arm will be converted into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC).
- Key issues in the negotiations include the equity stake Microsoft will receive in the new PBC and the renegotiation of terms outlined in their original 2019 agreement.
- OpenAI has expanded its ambitions in serving enterprise clients and collaborating with rivals of Microsoft, raising concerns and criticisms from some Microsoft executives regarding the partnership.
- The shift from a pure nonprofit to a PBC model has faced opposition, with notable figures like Elon Musk raising concerns and initiating legal challenges against OpenAI's corporate restructuring.
- Regulators, including Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, are scrutinizing OpenAI's plans to ensure compliance with state laws and alignment with the startup's charitable mission.
- Columbia Law School professor Dorothy Lund highlighted the challenges faced by mission-driven companies seeking substantial investments while needing to keep investors satisfied to continue operations.
- The negotiations between OpenAI and Microsoft are described as 'tough,' with both parties aiming to reach agreements that address the future of their partnership and access to innovative technologies beyond 2030.
- The evolving dynamics between the two companies underscore the complexities of balancing commercial interests, technological advancements, and mission-driven goals in the AI industry.
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TechCrunch
7d
535
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Microsoft and OpenAI may be renegotiating their partnership
- OpenAI is currently renegotiating its partnership with Microsoft, one of its biggest investors and partners.
- The AI startup announced changes to its corporate restructuring plans, intending to retain control of its nonprofit board.
- Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion in OpenAI, is a key holdout in approving the restructuring.
- The negotiations between OpenAI and Microsoft involve equity allocation in the for-profit entity and access to future OpenAI technology, amid their increasingly competitive relationship.
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Digitaltrends
7d
324
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4 things I’m excited about in the new Microsoft Surface laptops
- Microsoft's new Surface laptops come with promising features powered by Snapdragon X processors, offering increased battery life and performance enhancements.
- The 13-inch Surface Laptop boasts up to 23 hours of video playback, while the 15-inch version offers up to 22 hours, a significant improvement over previous models.
- The Surface Pro 11 delivers up to 16 hours of video playback and 10 hours of web use, catering to those on the go and users needing extended battery life.
- The new Surface laptops feature upgraded Neural Processing Units (NPU), capable of up to 45 trillion operations per second, enhancing AI tasks locally.
- The sleek design of the Surface Pro 11 includes optional OLED display with richer colors and better contrast, while the Surface Laptops focus on improved LCD screens.
- Microsoft's shift to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus and Elite processors brings faster multitasking, lower power consumption, and improved sustained performance.
- The new processors aim to cater to heavier workloads like video editing and design software, while also enhancing the on-device AI tasks for improved user experience.
- The switch to Snapdragon X processors offers benefits like extended battery life, reduced heat, and better performance for everyday users.
- Microsoft's Surface laptops showcase significant upgrades in battery life, AI performance, display quality, and processor efficiency, making them competitive in the market.
- While some features like the microSD card slot removal and Windows 11 Home limitation exist, overall, the new Surface laptops present a compelling option for users.
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Gizchina
7d
262
Image Credit: Gizchina
How to upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro without wasting money
- Windows 11 Pro offers advanced features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V, Remote Desktop, and more, suitable for power users and businesses.
- To upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro, you need a Windows 10 or 11 Pro product key, which can be purchased for $99 from the Microsoft Store.
- There are three common upgrade scenarios: upgrading a new PC from Home to Pro, clean installing Windows 11 Pro, and restoring Pro after a reset.
- Upgrading a new PC involves entering the product key in Activation Settings and following prompts to complete the upgrade.
- For a clean install, create a bootable USB, choose Windows 11 Pro during setup, and let Windows activate after installation.
- To restore Pro after a reset, use Microsoft's generic Pro key to switch editions, and let Windows re-activate if a matching license is found.
- Windows 11 Pro is beneficial for remote access, drive encryption, update control, business network access, and virtual machine support.
- Consider upgrading to Pro if you need enhanced features, while sticking with Home suffices for basic tasks like browsing and watching videos.
- Tips to save money include checking for old Pro retail keys, seeking discounts from legitimate sellers, and avoiding overpriced listings.
- Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro provides more power and control, and understanding licenses and product keys can aid in saving money and preventing issues.
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Hackaday
1w
208
Image Credit: Hackaday
An LLM for the Raspberry Pi
- Microsoft's latest Phi4 LLM with 14 billion parameters requires 11 GB of storage, making it unsuitable for Raspberry Pi.
- A cut-down version of the Phi4 model, Phi4-mini-reasoning, with 3.8 billion parameters and 3.2 GB can be added to a Raspberry Pi.
- The Phi4-mini-reasoning model uses four-bit quantization, affecting its performance on the Raspberry Pi.
- Using the model, a Raspberry Pi can answer questions like 'Alice has five brothers and three sisters, how many sisters does Alice's brother have?'
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Massivelyop
1w
54
Overwatch devs join Communication Workers of America to officially form a ‘wall-to-wall’ union
- Over 200 members working on Overwatch have officially joined the Communication Workers of America (CWA) to form a 'wall-to-wall' union known as the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA (OWGG-CWA).
- The unionization movement aims to address subpar working conditions and respond to ongoing layoffs in the gaming industry, with over 2,600 represented workers across Microsoft-owned studios and over 6,000 workers in North America.
- The unionization efforts at Blizzard started with QA workers at Raven Software, followed by World of Warcraft devs forming a wall-to-wall union, highlighting the need for worker protection amidst Microsoft's stalled talks with unionized QA workers at ZeniMax.
- The unionization within the gaming industry continues to grow, with Overwatch developers joining CWA to advocate for improved working conditions and fair treatment.
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Digitaltrends
1w
162
Image Credit: Digitaltrends
Microsoft’s 12-inch Surface Pro has finally given me hope for Windows on tablets
- The new 12-inch Surface Pro by Microsoft offers a promising outlook for Windows tablets, providing a strong value proposition and practical design features.
- With its lightweight and slim form factor comparable to the iPad Air, the Surface Pro stands out in terms of portability and usability.
- The inclusion of two USB-C ports and support for 45W charging enhances the functionality of the tablet, eliminating the need for a proprietary charger.
- Microsoft's incorporation of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus processor delivers impressive performance, surpassing competitors in benchmarks and offering 16GB of RAM.
- Despite its fanless design and potential throttling under heavy load, the tablet showcases remarkable silicon capabilities in a compact package.
- Featuring a longer battery life of 16 hours, USB-C charging, and a high-refresh-rate display, the Surface Pro offers a satisfying combination of features.
- The tablet's Windows Hello facial recognition system adds convenience and security, contributing to an overall premium user experience.
- Starting at $800, the 12-inch Surface Pro presents a compelling value proposition with a cost-effective keyboard accessory compared to other tablet options.
- Microsoft's focus on delivering no-compromise hardware-software harmony in the Surface Pro caters to users seeking a versatile and efficient mobile workhorse.
- The Surface Pro's blend of performance, battery life, display quality, and compact design makes it a compelling choice for those in search of a productive tablet.
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Siliconangle
1w
405
Image Credit: Siliconangle
In the race to deploy AI, industry leaders confront hype and expense – but project a promising future
- Industry leaders are concerned about the hype and expenses surrounding the rapid deployment of AI, questioning if expectations are exceeding the technology's current capabilities.
- Tech companies are investing heavily in building AI infrastructure, with Google planning a $75 billion capital expenditure by 2025 and other major players committing significant funds.
- There are doubts whether the rush to build AI infrastructure is moving too quickly, with analogies drawn to deploying infrastructure before the technology's full potential is realized.
- Despite the rapid adoption, some believe that AI's true value and transformative potential have not yet been fully realized, with concerns about the misleading aura of promise created by tools like ChatGPT.
- Executives like Peter Lee from Microsoft Research emphasize the need for a more measured approach to AI deployment to truly unlock its capabilities for science and medical advancements.
- AI's role in business messaging, such as Meta's plans for WhatsApp, signifies a significant revenue opportunity, leveraging AI agents for personalized customer interactions.
- There is growing recognition of the importance of smaller AI models over large language models, with a shift towards utilizing a variety of AI models beyond the popular ones.
- Despite the potential benefits of AI, there are concerns about the speed at which AI is advancing and the need for responsible usage to manage the exponential changes it brings about.
- Industry experts express the need to embrace AI while being mindful of its implications, highlighting the ongoing learning process for individuals in navigating AI's evolving landscape.
- Overall, while AI holds promise for various industries, there is a call for a more cautious and informed approach to leverage its potential effectively in the future.
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Kotaku
1w
16
Image Credit: Kotaku
13 Things We Noticed In The New GTA VI Trailer And More Of The Week's Top Stories
- Rockstar Games released a new trailer for GTA VI, after the game got delayed into next year.
- Destiny 2 is getting a Star Wars-themed expansion called Renegades in December.
- Sony is running a massive PSN sale with $20-or-less video game deals.
- A leaked image reveals an Xbox-branded PC gaming handheld called Project Keenan.
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Kotaku
1w
163
Image Credit: Kotaku
Epic Is Promising Bonus V-Bucks To Fortnite Players Who Buy Directly From Its Store
- Epic Games is offering Fortnite players bonus V-bucks if they buy directly from the Epic Games Store to bypass Apple's fees.
- This move could potentially trigger changes in the App Store and impact PlayStation and Xbox, which also earn commissions on in-game purchases.
- Epic is giving 20% back in Epic Rewards for purchases made using their payment system in Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys across various platforms.
- There's also a temporary 20% cash back bonus on all Epic Games Store game purchases until August 31, following a court ruling against Apple in favor of Epic Games.
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Kotaku
1w
96
Image Credit: Kotaku
Not Even Gearbox's Boss Knows What Borderlands 4's Price Will Be
- Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford mentioned at a Borderlands 4 PAX East panel that even he doesn't know the price of the upcoming game, suggesting that the decision lies with the publishing house.
- Borderlands 4, with features like new vault hunters, big open maps, and guns with mixed-and-matched parts from different manufacturers, has a budget more than twice that of Borderlands 3 from 2019.
- The gaming industry is experiencing unusual pricing trends, with premium releases like Mario Kart World priced at $80, while highly-rated games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are priced at $50.
- While Borderlands 4 may not drop to the $50 range, it could possibly be priced at $80, although the CEO expressed a desire for the game to be accessible to many players while still supporting future projects, potentially offering deluxe editions at higher price points.
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Macdailynews
1w
121
Can Apple catch up in AI and fix its embarrassing Siri digital assistant?
- Apple has fallen behind in the AI revolution compared to its competitors like Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, and OpenAI, with Siri being criticized for its outdated performance and lack of advanced features.
- There are concerns about Apple's innovation pace and Siri's limitations, causing embarrassment for a company known for a polished user experience.
- Apple has reportedly made internal changes to address the issues with Siri, sparking discussions about whether Apple will fail or succeed in AI advancements.
- Analysts hope that Apple can catch up and lead in AI by investing resources and fixing Siri's performance, as they transition to a bi-annual iPhone release strategy from 2025 to 2027.
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Kotaku
1w
4
Image Credit: Kotaku
Blizzard's Overwatch Team Just Unionized: 'What I Want To Protect Most Here Is The People'
- The Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard, consisting of nearly 200 developers, has unionized across various disciplines without direct reports.
- This marks the second unionization at Blizzard after the World of Warcraft team did so in July last year.
- The Overwatch team joined the Communications Workers of America, aiming to protect worker interests and rights.
- The unionization occurred following frustrations with layoffs and an aim to shield employees from abrupt terminations.
- Issues like pay disparities, work-from-home restrictions, and the desire for protections against crunch and layoffs were key motivators.
- The unionizing effort aims to improve working conditions, thereby enhancing game development and preventing negative impacts like layoffs and low pay.
- The team felt the need for a union particularly after changes to profit sharing left them without bonuses for a year.
- The move for unionization is led by employees from various disciplines, emphasizing the importance of worker security and fair treatment.
- Unionizing is seen as a crucial step in initiating discussions with companies about job security and other key issues in the gaming industry.
- The unionization effort at Blizzard's Overwatch team, spearheaded by diverse roles, is seen as transformative for the industry and aims to inspire similar actions.
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