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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…

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...

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…

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...

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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...

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,…

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…

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…

CES 2022 is here, and I am excited for another year filled with incredible innovation from our partners! Every year, CES unveils the newest technologies our industry has to offer, and this year, the event is once again setting a new standard for cutting edge devices. Technology brings us together and allows us to collaborate in a rich environment that meets the needs of businesses, students, educators, gamers and consumers. After a year of tremendous technological advancements, including the launch of Windows 11, CES 2022 gives us a front row seat to see how devices continue to evolve to meet customers’ needs. I am looking forward to what we will see and hear from Microso…

At CES 2022, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) introduced new and refreshed Windows 11 devices, such as the ROG Flow Z13, with new form factors for the Zephyrus Duo 16, Zephyrus G14 and Strix series, which also include new CPUs and GPUs. The ROG Flow Z13 is one of the new devices, a gaming tablet that comes with Windows 11, up to a 14-core Intel Core i9-12900H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU and 5200MHz LPDDR5 memory. It has two display options: a 4K 60Hz display with 85% DCI-P3 coverage, or a Full HD 120Hz screen with a 100% sRGB gamut. Both have Corning Gorilla glass protection on the touch screen, Adaptive Sync, Dolby Vision HDR with 500 nits of brightn…

At CES 2022, Lenovo introduced Windows 11 devices designed to meet the needs of a wide array of people, including creators, hybrid workers, gamers and environmentally conscious consumers. A decade after Lenovo debuted its 360-degree flexible hinge design on the multi-mode Yoga 2-in-1 laptop at CES, the Yoga continues to span and stretch across form factors with the seventh generation of this defining line of laptops. For this 10th anniversary, the design language reboot shifts towards a new vertically flipped Yoga wordmark and includes curved edges for its convertibles, a gender-neutral color palette, more recycled materials and luxury finishes. [caption id=attachm…

The new year rolls along, and the Minecraft team continues its celebration with its next free map, Axolotl Islands for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. "The awesome people at Tetrascape have crafted a world in which only you and your special abilities can save Axolotl Islands from being overrun by infectious super-slimes," says Sophie Austin on Minecraft.net. "When you’re not solving tricky puzzles you’ll be shooting your antidote gun with abandon (or perhaps that’s my poor aim?) to cure the slimes and having alotl fun as you zip from island to island to restore the axolotl’s home to the peaceful paradise it once was." Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more and download …

At CES 2022, HP displayed its most recent Windows 11 PCs, including the ENVY Desktop PC, the Elite Dragonfly G3 for businesses, the OMEN 45L for gamers and the Z2 Mini G9 for all-purpose work. The HP ENVY Desktop PC, powered by Windows 11, is the new expansive powerhouse for creatives, designed to be the central hub to help you learn, create and manage every aspect of modern life. Quickly connect these devices to be even more productive with multiple high-speed ports including Thunderbolt and a card reader, along with the ability to connect up to four 4K monitors. This PC keeps up with everything you do with up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and up to NV…

At CES 2022, Acer revealed many new Windows 11 devices, including new laptops and All-in-Ones based on the latest Intel 12th Gen Intel Core processors, a special edition gaming notebook and the latest manifestation of the company’s commitment to a more sustainable future. The Swift X lineup adds two new additions, arriving in 14-inch and 16-inch models, arriving in 14-inch and 16-inch models, both running on Windows 11 and featuring a 16:10 aspect-ratio IPS screen with a 92.22% screen-to-body ratio. From there, 100% coverage of the sRGB color gamut delivers an immersive viewing experience. To further enhance these images, it also features Acer BluelightShield for m…

Ahead of CES 2022, Qualcomm expanded its portfolio with the introduction of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Compute Platform, designed to deliver top performance and exceptional experiences in premium ultra-slim and fanless laptops. The company also unveiled the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Compute Platform to strengthen entry-tier Windows PC ecosystems with robust 5G connectivity and advanced AI experiences. Both platforms utilize smart, connected technology to modernize PC experiences and redefine mobile computing. Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 marks the world’s first 5nm Windows PC platform. The advanced 5nm process node, combined with other optimizations, dramatically improves the per…

Century: Age of Ashes is now available as a free-to-play on the Microsoft Store for Windows PC, with an exclusive Dragon Egg for Microsoft Store players. In the game, you play as one of many dragon riders controlling majestic dragons, engage in fast-paced 3v3 or 6v6 competitive skirmishes to prove your skills, gain experience through fights and challenges, unlock hundreds of epic customizations for your dynamic duos, and battle it out to become a ruler of the skies. Microsoft Store users are being offered an exclusive Saarkir Backwaters Dragon for the Phantom rider class. To redeem this unique dragon, download Century: Age of Ashes on the Microsoft Store for Windows 10/…

At CES 2022, Intel announced the 12th Gen Intel Core family of mobile processors, led by the launch of new Intel Core H-series mobile processors. The new Intel Core H-series family features the flagship Intel Core i9-12900HK, sporting up to 5GHz frequencies, 14 cores (6 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores) and 20 threads. Intel also unveiled a new product line for mobile processors called P-series, aimed at performance thin and light laptops. In total, Intel will deliver 28 new 12th Gen Intel Core mobile SKUs across H-, P- and U-series processors. For desktop processors, Intel introduced 22 new 12th Gen Intel Core 65- and 35-watt desktop processors with scalabl…

At CES 2022, Dell unveiled the latest iteration of its XPS 13: the XPS 13 Plus, designed to be minimalist and modern in a light and thin package. Users will find curved, comfy edges and no wasted space. It’s got larger keycaps and a new capacitive touch experience to switch between media and function keys easily. A new seamless glass touchpad that provides haptic responses replaces a traditional trackpad. The company’s mindful minimalist approach extends beyond design to encompass both the production and packaging process. By removing steps and reducing finishes and materials – but elevating the ones that remain – they’ve decreased scrapped parts and their overall…

At CES 2022, NVIDIA announced its new GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti Laptop GPUs, with the latter the newest GPU in the company’s fastest growing segment. Both are built on award winning NVIDIA Ampere architecture, with technologies like ray tracing for the most immersive and realistic experiences. NVIDIA also revealed over 160 new next-generation RTX 30 Series laptops, from all of its OEM partners, new Max-Q technologies and the new GeForce RTX 3050 GPU for desktops, the newest member of the RTX 30Series graphics card family. Find out more about these and other NVIDIA announcements at CES 2022. Continue reading...