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At MWC Barcelona, Lenovo unveiled a lineup of Windows 11 laptops to meet the needs of hybrid workers, global travelers, students, gamers and more. The first ThinkPad powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform – running up to Windows 11 Pro – is the ThinkPad X13s, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Microsoft. The ultra-slim, 2.35-pound, fan-less design also incorporates battery life up to 28 hours, enhanced 5G connectivity options and application support through the Microsoft App Assure program for maximum productivity, security and collaboration. Lenovo, Qualcomm and Microsoft are continuously collaborating with top tier ISVs (Independent Software Vend…
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2021 and into 2022 have seen continued innovation in the attack landscape as cybercriminals refine tactics and tools to evade defenses. 2021 saw the highest year on record for zero-day exploits, increased firmware attacks and new tampering attacks targeting security agents. Microsoft and our silicon partners have been vigilant in working to address these trends and we’re proud to share that Qualcomm and Microsoft have partnered on innovations designed to help keep the security capabilities in Windows 11 ahead of attackers. We’re excited today to announce that the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, built with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, is the first ARM platform for Windows tha…
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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced on Sunday at the MWC Barcelona event its Galaxy Book2 Pro series, a flagship PC lineup featuring the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 with S Pen functionality and Galaxy Book2 Pro with 5G. Both combine flexibility and versatility for work and education with Samsung’s mobile DNA for a PC experience that is productive and portable. Samsung also announced the April release of Galaxy Book2 Business, a powerful new PC built on the vPro platform that will deliver advanced security and productivity features to help businesses conquer the new reality of hybrid work. To keep users protected, the Galaxy Book2 Pro series is the first consumer PC lineup me…
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Beginning Feb. 18, Minecraft players can get the new World Warrior skin pack from the Minecraft Marketplace. “This incredible new pack from 57Digital and Capcom brings 35 of your favorite fighting characters like Ryu, Ken and Chun-Li from the arcade to the Overworld and celebrates a tale of fierce feuds and formidable foes,” writes Sophie Austin in a post on Minecraft.net. “These familiar faces have been on our screens even longer than Steve and Alex, and now you can play as one of them (or all 35!) in Minecraft.” As part of celebrating Capcom’s classic fighters, one free Character Creator item will be available for you to claim plus 12 paid character creator items so you…
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Kicking off a new series of time-limited, narrative-focused events, “Shrouded Islands” is now available for Sea of Thieves fans to play until March 3. “As part of our push to make the Sea of Thieves a more dynamic place to explore, these Adventures won’t be replacing our Season-based method of delivering free, regular content updates but will run alongside them, offering a new Adventure roughly every month, each lasting for a minimum of two weeks,” writes Mike Chapman, creative director for Rare, in a post on Xbox Wire. “There’ll be secrets to discover, battles to fight, rewards to earn and a unique cinematic trailer to introduce each Adventure, laying out the stakes and …
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Total War: Warhammer III – now available to play with PC Game Pass — introduces you to the game’s fantastical world and how to build a massive army. In it you’ll also learn how effective diplomacy can be for gaining allies and even setting rival factions at war with each other. “Yes, this is the third title in this trilogy, but there is no better time to start marshalling your forces and building empires in the world of Warhammer Fantasy,” writes Andy Hall, principal writer for Creative Assembly, in a post on Xbox Wire. “The game starts with a brand-new experience, a bespoke narrative campaign designed to bring you up to speed and refresh lapsed generals in both the ba…
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Put on your racing gloves Forza Horizon 5 fans, the Horizon World Cup is now under way. Pitting France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. against each other for top bragging rights, the event promises unmissable driving action. “You’re invited to represent your favorite country by driving cars from the different countries’ auto manufacturers across The Trial, Seasonal Championships and Playground Games every week throughout Series 4,” writes Alan Walsh on Forzamotorsport.net. “Completing these events every week will grant points to the home country of the car the player was driving. We’ve set up the car restrictions for each event to ensure each country is fair…
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As the PC continues to play a more meaningful role in our lives, we will continue to evolve Windows 11 as a connection point between people, ideas and creations. Today, we’re excited to announce new experiences for Windows 11 are starting to become available, including an Amazon Appstore preview available in the U.S., Taskbar improvements and two redesigned apps: Media Player and Notepad. We can’t wait to see what you do with them. Enjoy the Amazon Appstore Preview featuring select Android™ apps and games in the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6SpHPF40Ik View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6SpHPF40Ik Windows has always been about e…
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Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve taken a data-driven approach to decision making while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our employees. For nearly two years, our hybrid workplace model has anchored each of our work sites to one of six defined stages, allowing us to quickly adjust our guidance depending on health data, local government guidance, the availability of vaccines and vaccination rates and other considerations. Based on this approach and improving local health metrics, our Washington state work sites will move to our sixth and final stage of the hybrid workplace model, effective Feb. 28, 2022. From this date, employees will have 30 days to make a…
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A new update for Crusader Kings III adds Cultural Traditions, bringing Cultures more in line with Faiths, with Pillars and Traditions providing effects. This makes a lot of currently opaque features transparent in the user interface, and provides a new and exciting acceptance system for players to enjoy. The free update also brings Inventory System, a favorite from Crusader Kings II, in a new and improved form. Collect artifacts, from weapons to crowns and regalia. Essentially, the positions are mini-councilors that provide an effect, but have no jobs. With the Coat of Arms designer tool, you can design your very own Coat of Arms and apply it to your House, Dynasty or Tit…
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A new line of Minecraft x PUMA apparel and footwear is now available, and you can try the items on first inside the new and free collaboration DLC map: PUMA x Minecraft — Sprint Dash. “With the accompanying Sprint Dash DLC for Bedrock Edition, it won’t be all about dodging unreasonably accurate skeleton arrows anymore – it’s about who is the fastest,” writes Cristina Anderca in a post on Minecraft.net. “Put on your Minecraft x PUMA streetwear and race your friends through three interactive maps including caves and cliffs, a cityscape and a jungle.” Visit the PUMA store to choose from over 20 skins and be forever faster in style. Or just look cool while watching the race f…
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Minecraft Dungeons has hit the milestone of 15 million players since the launch of the game, and is celebrating with the Festival of Frost, taking place from now until Feb. 22. “Avid Tower runners will discover that their favorite tall structure has been outfitted with new frost-themed floors,” Per Landin writes in a post on Minecraft.net. “In addition, seasonal trials from the Chills and Thrills event will make a return, offering players who missed out on last year's event the chance to experience all the fun. And, saving the best for last, to commemorate this occasion, every player who logs into the game after Feb. 8 will receive the ‘Iceologer Cape’ reward as a thank y…
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The Year of the Tiger has arrived at Minecraft Marketplace. To help you celebrate, between Feb. 1 and Feb. 7 Minecraft will offer Lunar New Year themed packs, a free world by Next Studio and tiger themed items in the Character Creator: a free mask and a free sweater. In the new map – the Legend of Nezha – you can immerse yourself in an ancient tale of immortal heroes and battle as one of the world’s most beloved champions in a mesmeric world. Visit Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...
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Editor’s note: In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Lauren Gardner and Bill Borden, executive co-sponsors of Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) employee resource group, got together (virtually) for a personal conversation about history, action, inclusion and the powerful impact of the Black and African American community inside and beyond Microsoft. This is an edited version of their chat. Learn more about Black History Month here. LG: Bill, as you know, this year’s theme for Black History Month at Microsoft is “every act makes history.” What does that mean to you? BB: It’s a simple statement, but it’s powerful if we reflect on it. We can all think of count…
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Soar over the renowned Great Barrier Reef, visit the vast regions of Western Australia and marvel at the natural beauty of Mount Wellington. Do it all today with World Update VII, now available for free for all Microsoft Flight Simulator players. Just update your simulator, download the update and then enjoy the experience of flight throughout Australian skies. Orbx Simulation Systems, based in Melbourne, Australia, has handcrafted four airports and added high-resolution detail to over 100 others. And there are 16 new activities, including five bush trips, six discovery flights and five landing challenges. Head over to Xbox Wire to find out more. Continue reading...
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Across every industry and geography, companies are working hard to keep pace with evolving business needs and build on their existing digital investments. In my role leading the product team for the core of Azure, I spend a lot of time with customers learning what they need to be successful as they integrate cloud technologies into their business strategy to digitally transform. As many have experienced firsthand, the pandemic has pushed more businesses to adopt wider use of cloud computing technology. A new survey finds it’s also driving more companies to deploy a hybrid (mix of on-premises and one or more public clouds) or multicloud (multiple public clouds) approach…
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The last two years have had a profound and durable impact on how we live our lives, with the PC playing a more meaningful role than ever. Recently a friend reflected that he never would have expected that his eight-year-old son would become proficient in Teams and OneNote or that his seventy-two-year-old mother would become an Instacart convert. New behaviors that were born out of necessity have evolved into habits as people and organizations reevaluate their priorities through a new lens. A new hybrid infrastructure now exists – across work, school and life – enabling more flexibility in where and how people spend their time. And the PC is the hub. This is driving a new …
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As Microsoft Channel Chief, I’m passionate about engaging our powerful Microsoft partner ecosystem to help transform businesses and drive inclusive economic opportunity, especially as we face a climate crisis and step into the third year of a global pandemic that has widened inequities on multiple fronts. Together with our 400,000-strong Microsoft partner ecosystem, we have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference by empowering resilient communities and accelerating our collective impact. Through the Microsoft #BuildFor2030 initiative, we seek to drive transformational solutions and services that advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 1…
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In the modern hybrid world, the need for people to work collaboratively and securely continues to expand. To provide more choices as it meets those needs, HP has introduced new commercial All-in-One (AiO) and desktop PCs, expanding its portfolio of PCs designed to empower workforces and IT departments in the office or at home. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/01/HP-EliteOne-800-G9-AiO-Desktop-PC-Enhanced-by-HP-Presence_Workspace-1_resized-1024x609.jpg The self-contained design makes it easy to set up so users can get to work quickly. With the security of company assets and data always a top concern for IT teams, HP Wolf Security for Business …
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Since the start of the pandemic, organizations representing a cross-section of industries have mobilized to adopt digital technologies to gain insights from their data and unlock cloud-based innovation. With the Microsoft Cloud, customers are reimagining ways to deliver patient care and provide access to critical services, secure their digital environments to scale and maintain business operations, extend frontline worker productivity, enhance employee experiences, and encourage new forms of business engagement and interaction. At Microsoft Ignite, customers shared how accelerating their digital transformation with us as their partner has enabled them to better navigat…
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https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2022/01/Latino-Gallery-Digital-Storyteller-Plaza-1024x576.jpg Rendering of the Molina Family Latino Gallery Digital Plaza. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Latino Center. Today, Microsoft is honored to announce a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian Latino Center to support the new National Museum of the American Latino and the development of the Molina Family Latino Gallery. The National Museum of the American Latino is the Smithsonian’s first museum space dedicated to celebrating the U.S. Hispanic and Latinx community experience. While the larger museum is being built, our contributions will support the development of…
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Adventures in English with Cambridge is now available to purchase for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. “This previously Education Edition-exclusive DLC is a fun way for students aged eight and up to practice communication skills, listening and reading comprehension, and spelling," writes Cristina Anderca in a post on Minecraft.net. "The lesson was created in partnership with Cambridge Assessment English, the world’s leading experts in English language learning, part of the University of Cambridge in the U.K., and takes place in an incredible world built by Blockworks." Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...
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I am so inspired by the continued innovation from our partners, who are finding new ways to meet the ever-changing needs of students, faculty and administration. As schools continue to navigate change, many are finding that one size does not fit all, and as a result are adopting a variety of hybrid learning approaches and embracing remote learning. The value that technology can deliver to unlock these capabilities is impressive. Of course, it’s great seeing Windows 11 at the center of it all, with new tools designed to improve the learning experience and enable better, richer learning experiences. Schools are still expanding and creating new ways of teaching and learning,…
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The past two years have been challenging for everyone, especially frontline workers tasked with keeping the proverbial lights on throughout the pandemic. From healthcare to hospitality, the manufacturing floor to the retail sales floor, these workers have weathered health risks, labor shortages, supply chain issues and more. So, it’s not surprising to hear they’re ready for change. They want help prioritizing culture and well-being and, despite their essential roles, feel underserved by technology and training. Those are some of the key findings from our latest Work Trend Index report, which focuses on the experiences of the global frontline workforce. Just as the pand…
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The latest free map in the Minecraft new year's celebration has arrived. Available for download now, Grave Danger by Shapescape for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is an action-packed adventure where the fate of your castle rests in your hands. "Build your defenses, protect your tower and defeat waves of fantastical creatures with your trusty dragon at your side," writes Sophie Austin in her post on Minecraft.net. "I could tell you more, but I’m going to let the awesome people at Shapescape take this one, seeing as they’re the masterminds (and master builders) behind this awesome map." Head over to Minecraft.net for Austin's interview with the Shapescape team and to download t…
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