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When consumers are choosing PCs to buy, they’re looking not only at the device itself, but also at its environmental impact. Check out the latest episode of “Tech Trends” below, which takes a look at how Microsoft and its Windows 11 device partners are addressing sustainability objectives throughout the design, use and end-of-life management of PCs. “As an ecosystem, Microsoft is focused on achieving consistent sustainability targets across our devices,” explains Katie Mincin, who helps lead Microsoft’s sustainability efforts with its device partners, in the video. “Microsoft has identified six specific ecosystem wide objectives to address with our device partners. These …

Xbox players can now jump into the colorful world and time-warped action of Deathloop, available with PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass and Cloud Gaming (Beta) and on Xbox Series X|S. "Deathloop transports players to the lawless island of Blackreef in an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins," writes Anne Lewis of Bethesda Softworks on Xbox Wire. "Explore stunning environments and meticulously designed levels in an immersive gameplay experience that lets you approach every situation any way you like. Hunt down eight targets all over the island to put an end to the cycle once and for all, and remember, if at first you don’t succeed… die, die again." Head over to …

Today, the Windows 11 2022 Update rolls out in 190+ countries. The last few years have brought enduring changes in the ways we live, work and learn, with the PC playing a more critical role in our daily lives. Online options that didn’t previously exist for meetings, appointments, everyday tasks and access to entertainment emerged out of necessity, but remain due to convenience and efficiency. We formed new habits; and they stuck. The PC has fundamentally connected us in more emotional ways than ever before. The rapid move to more flexible work and life also dramatically increased security threats for individuals and businesses, with 921 password attacks every second. Wit…

Today, Panos Panay announced the release and availability of the Windows 11 2022 Update, the latest version of Windows 11. Windows is a key component of how more than a billion people connect, learn, play and work. In this blog I’ll share how to get the 2022 Update (also known as Windows 11, version 22H21), details on our approach to delivering continuous innovation including improvements to the update experience, and information for commercial and education customers. How to get the update Starting today, the first major update to Windows 11 is now available for users who want to update. Our launch approach to Windows 11 leverages our well-established update systems …

Earlier this year we announced four exciting features coming to Windows 11 designed for and with people with disabilities: system-wide live captions, Focus sessions, voice access and more natural voices for Narrator. As those features start to become available today, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share a bit more about how the culture of inclusion within the Windows engineering team has helped to foster the development of more inclusive and delightful Windows experiences for everyone. That culture has three main ingredients: people, process and ambition. The makeup of our team: as diverse as the communities we aim to empower On the Windows Accessibility team …

Content is at the heart of the Windows PC experience – from the apps that fuel productivity, to movies that transport and games that connect. Our passion for helping developers more easily bring their apps to customers inspired us to redesign the Microsoft Store on Windows. We also embraced a new set of Open App Store Principles that welcomes all developers to bring the best apps and games to your Windows 11 device, from apps using their own commerce to third-party storefronts. We are energized by the response and feedback from our community that show us these changes have made an impact. The past 12 months have been a record year, with over 900 million unique users world…

Get ready to take on the fiercest domains and demons in rhythm first person shooter Metal: Hellsinger, launching now with Xbox Game Pass and on Xbox Series X|S. "In Metal: Hellsinger you embark on an infernal journey of revenge through the eight Hells," writes Fucom's Marcus Hansson in a post on Xbox Wire. "The higher your multiplier, the more intense the music becomes and the more damage you deal, and at maximum fury, the vocals kick in for the full metal experience." Head over to Xbox Wire for all the details. Continue reading...

Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off Sept. 15, and with it comes LatinExplorers, a new Minecraft offering developed in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. LatinExplorers presents a new way to build leadership and social-emotional skills, teaching students how leaders in the Hispanic community can inspire them to take actions in their own communities. Available for Minecraft: Education Edition and Bedrock in the Minecraft Marketplace, LatinExplorers is the first Latino-themed game presented by Minecraft. Find out more. Continue reading...

Uncover secrets beneath the waves as you fight through the Sunken Kingdom in Sea of Thieves' latest time-limited adventure, live from now until Sept. 29. "The object of your quest: three Ancient artefacts required for a mysterious ritual that will empower the Pirate Lord’s allies to stand their ground in the face of an upcoming resurrection," writes Mike Chapman, creative director for Rare, in a post on Xbox Wire. "These relics were claimed by the Sirens as trophies long ago, and will be jealously guarded against any intruders from the surface world." Sea of Thieves is available free for all players with Xbox Game Pass and across Windows 10/11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One a…

Sea of Thieves Season Seven Community Day is set to come ashore on Sept. 17. As a Talk Like a Pirate Day special, the event will offer rewards available across the weekend, with in-game and out-of-game surprises for your pirating pleasure. "This latest Community Day will feature a generous Renown boost from the very beginning, speeding up your progress through Season Seven’s 100 levels of earnable rewards," writes Rare's Christina McGrath in a post on Xbox Wire. "But as with our very first Community Day, it’s gold and reputation that will be significantly boosted by our community tweet-along this time. That multiplier will be in your hands as all players work together to …

When As Dusk Falls debuted in July, it culminated eight years of conceptualization and introduced an independent studio. It also showed off a video game in which hundreds of people can play together across platforms – and through their collective choices, create different outcomes for the characters in an interactive crime drama that spans three decades. This is the first game from the INTERIOR/NIGHT studio, headed by Caroline Marchal, its CEO and creative director. “I’m very proud that this is our first game as a studio,” says Marchal, who acts as the showrunner for this specific game. “It’s not often you can make a first impression, and I wanted ours to be bold.” As…

Fallout 76’s Expeditions update is here, inviting players to go beyond the borders of post-nuclear Appalachia and explore new territory. "Go on a journey to The Pitt, a city built upon the irradiated remnants of Pittsburgh that players first encountered in 2009 as downloadable content for Fallout 3," writes Parker Wilhelm, PR and marketing content manager for Bethesda Softworks. "Battle vicious Trogs and other hazards as you navigate violent tensions between the local union faction and the wild fanatics that besiege them." The launch of Expeditions also includes an all-new season for players to dive into. Rack up S.C.O.R.E. and unlock Pitt-themed cosmetics, currency and m…

Motorola has announced its newest line-up of smartphones: the edge 30 ultra, edge 30 fusion and edge 30 neo. All three provide a new platform for cloud gaming via membership of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, where you can immerse yourself in hundreds of high-quality games, with new ones being added all the time. Take cloud gaming to the next level with 5G and WiFi connectivity, long-lasting battery life and fast charging speeds up to 125W for uninterrupted gaming sessions. Experience your favorite games in full immersion, combining endless-edge displays that deliver ultra-smooth refresh rates up to 144Hz and powerful stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos sound. https://blogs.window…

Eighty percent of businesses expect to be hybrid – four tips for data security and compliance. Sustainability is the #1 ESG priority for Small and Medium Businesses – how to reduce your carbon footprint. Early adopters of technology grow faster – practical steps to accelerate your digital journey. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the cornerstone of every community. With an estimated 400 million SMBs operating worldwide, they account for 99% of global organizations. SMBs are the main source of job creation, making up between 60%-85% of employment. [1] [2] And according to the International Labor Organization, by some estimates, SMBs contribute up to 7…

Gamers can now begin their adventures in Disney Dreamlight Valley if they’re an Xbox Game Pass member or have purchased a Founder’s Pack Edition for Windows PC, Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. "Whether you’re bringing your own personal magic to the Valley or exploring the Realms of some of your favorite Disney and Pixar characters, you’ll have no shortage of things to see in this dream world," writes Gameloft Lead Producer Manea Castet in a post on Xbox Wire. "Over the course of our Early Access period, you can expect there to be multiple free updates which will add new characters and customization items, as well as new locales and stories to immerse yourself in. Of course, …

If you’ve been curious about foldable Windows 11 PCs, Lenovo’s new ThinkPad X1 Fold provides the screen real estate and viewing experience of a 16-inch laptop that can convert into a sub-13-inch laptop that is light and compact enough to easily carry around and store. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/08/03_Thinkbook_16p_Gen_3_Editing_on_the_go1920-1024x577.png Lenovo also announced the new ThinkBook 16p Gen 3 laptops geared toward small and medium-sized businesses. These Windows 11 PCs come with up to AMD Ryzen 9 6000 H-series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics to help tackle the most arduous demands of hybrid work. Thos…

Microsoft announced today that it has joined the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador initiative with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This initiative is NOAA’s successful, long-running program to formally recognize partners who are improving the United States’ readiness, responsiveness and resilience against extreme weather, water and climate events. Weather by Microsoft Start powers experiences integrated into Microsoft 365, the Microsoft Edge browser and over 1.4 billion Windows devices worldwide. Using industry-leading machine learning and AI, Microsoft combines multiple observational datasets with its proprietary algorithms designed to generate …

At IFA 2022, ASUS shared the availability to order its 17.3-inch foldable OLED Intel Evo-certified laptop, a 2-in-1 Windows 11 PC, the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED. It’s a device that aims to satisfy both work and downtime needs anytime, anywhere, with its versatility, power and security. Its design enables it to have two sizes of OLED display in one PC. It has a large 17.3-inch 2.5K touchscreen that folds in the middle to create two seamless 12.5-inch 1920 by 1280 displays. When it’s fully folded and closed along its 180-degree hinge, it's a 12.5-inch device. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/08/Zenbook-17-Fold-OLED_UX9702_Scenario-Photo_1920-10…

Between Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, Minecraft Marketplace is going back to school and celebrating learning with a host of educational treats, including a free map from Minecraft Education and the Nobel Peace Center. "Log in to play the free Peace Builders adventure created through a Minecraft Education partnership with the Nobel Peace Center," writes Sophie Austin in a post on Minecraft.net. "Meet four ground-breaking Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Jody Williams, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, journalist Carl Von Ossietzky and the United Nations Refugee Agency, and help restore peace to your Overworld." Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...

Gamers looking forward to Minecraft Legends, the upcoming action strategy game set to expand the Minecraft universe, have a new trailer to feast their eyes upon. Released at gamescom, the "Fiery Foes" trailer reveals more of what you can expect when you pick up the hero’s banner in the game coming in 2023. Head over to Minecraft.net to watch the trailer and catch up on the world of Minecraft Legends. Continue reading...

To celebrate the return of gamescom, Microsoft Flight Simulator on Thursday released its first-ever City Update, featuring five new photogrammetry German cities: Hanover, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Bonn and Cologne. The free update can be downloaded now from the in-sim marketplace. The team also revealed details about the upcoming release of its 40th Anniversary Edition. Available for free on Nov. 11 to those who own Microsoft Flight Simulator or Xbox Game Pass members, the edition will feature helicopters and gliders for the first time since 2006. "In addition to the helicopters and gliders, we will introduce another highly-requested community feature: a true-to-life airliner…

Obsidian Entertainment and the Pentiment team announced on Wednesday that the game will launch Nov. 15 for Windows 10/11 PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam, and with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Pre-orders for the game are now open as well as pre-installs being available with Game Pass. "Explore history in the modern time through the style of illuminated manuscripts and early modern woodcuts," writes Mikey Dowling, director of Communications for Obsidian Entertainment, in a post on Xbox Wire. "Pentiment is a narrative-adventure game set in 16th century upper Bavaria in the time of the Holy Roman Empire. You will take on the role of Andreas Maler, a very clever journ…

QuakeCon 2022 kicks off this week, and in addition to a host of fun livestreams on Twitch.tv/Bethesda, you can join over 20 million players, save big on select Bethesda favorites in the QuakeCon sale collection in Microsoft Store through Sept. 22, and check out classic games just added to PC Game Pass and Microsoft Store. Today, PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store get more classic, with the addition of more than 10 PC games that set the standard for today’s most exceptional FPS and RPG titles, including Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake 4, The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard and more. Check out these games and more in the Bethesda Softworks Collection. Head over to …

Earlier this year, CORSAIR – known for its high-performance gear and systems for gamers, content creators and PC enthusiasts – introduced its first gaming and streaming laptop, the CORSAIR VOYAGER a1600 AMD Advantage Edition. On Aug. 18, the company will livestream an event highlighting this powerful and versatile PC. Whether you’re an aspiring content creator, avid gamer, or a full-time streamer, this laptop can do everything you need and more, thanks to an AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processor and AMD Radeon RX 6800M mobile graphics. An advanced compact vapor chamber cooling system evenly spreads the heat. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/08/CORS…

Set sail for the Sea of the Damned to confront the Dark Brethren in "A Hunter's Cry," Sea of Thieves' sixth time-limited Adventure that is live now until 9 a.m. UTC on Sept. 1. "Murderous conspiracies, covert rituals, unwisely buried instructions..." writes Chris "Brawler" Allcock on SeaOfThievies.com. "Having been absent from Sea of Thieves’ ongoing story for a while, the Dark Brethren’s return to the waves brought about plenty of fresh revelations and set pirates’ tongues wagging in the wake of our (and Merrick’s) previous Adventure, 'The Forsaken Hunter.'" To read the full background story and view the new cinematic trailer, head over to SeaOfThieves.com. Continue r…