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At CES 2022, Razer introduced the Razer Blade 14, Razer Blade 15 and Razer Blade 17, equipped with the recently announced NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop GPUs, up to an RTX 3080Ti, making the new Blades better than ever. All new Razer Blade gaming laptops now also include Windows 11 and all its gaming benefits, including DirectStorage, Xbox Game Bar and Xbox Game Pass. [caption id=attachment_176744" align="alignright" width="300]https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/01/Razer-Blade-14-2021-8-High-Res-300x169.jpg Razer Blade 14[/caption] These devices are each powered by advancements from both AMD and Intel. The Blade 14 returns with the ne…

As we enter this new year, security remains a top concern as businesses continue to evolve and define their digital transformation strategies and what hybrid work means for their organizations and their employees. Over the last year, we've seen a 150% increase in ransomware attacks. Every second there are 579 password attacks, and since March 2020 we have seen a 667% increase in phishing attacks. While cloud-delivered protections and significant advancements in the Windows OS have made things more difficult for attackers, they continue to evolve as well – targeting the seams that exist between hardware and software and sensitive information like encryption keys and creden…

AMD unveiled its newest line of processors, the AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors for mobile. AMD also brings its “Zen 3+” core architecture together with AMD RDNA2 integrated graphics for the first time with the full lineup of new AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors. And for the first time in a business notebook, AMD integrated the Microsoft Pluton Security Processor within AMD Ryzen PRO 6000 Series, for continuous protection of user identity, data and apps – such as Microsoft Teams – on new Windows 11 PCs. Find out more about these and other AMD announcements. Continue reading...

Minecraft's new year's celebration is well underway, and on Tuesday the team added a new free map. "Doggie Daycare (by Razzleberries in partnership with Dogtopia) is the puppy paradise of your dreams," Sofia Dankis writes on Minecraft.net. "You have been entrusted with the family business, a doggie daycare. Take care of both the business and your newfound furry friends. Hire staff and discover over 16 breeds of dogs! There are four mini-games for you to play, but don’t forget to pamper the pups!" Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...

From Dec. 27 to Jan. 11, Sea of Thieves players can grab a grog (OK, three) and unlock unique cosmetics and more as part of Grogmanay. "For this year’s event, the Bilge Rats want the cheer to flow liberally so they’re offering rewards to pirates who complete Challenges while sufficiently lubricated with grog," says a post on SeaOfThieves.com. "Larinna’s also got a special Voyage leading to a cache of Bilge Rat-inspired fireworks – talk about capping things off with a bang!" Head over to SeaOfThieves.com to find out how it all works. Continue reading...

Minecraft's New Year's celebration continues with the introduction of the free Howl of the Wild map. The latest map from Mithey, "Howl of the Wild transforms you into a lone wolf, navigating through a magical forest filled with puzzles to solve, areas to explore and unlikely companions to team up with," says Sofia Dankis in a post on Minecraft.net. "This ambient adventure challenges you to collect, explore and solve problems creatively while you take in the beautiful views." Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more, download the new map and check out Dankis' interview with Mithey. Continue reading...

As we look to the future, organizations including Microsoft have an opportunity and responsibility to drive growth while taking timely action in crucial areas to benefit society and the world. At Microsoft, we believe in doing good while doing well. During last week’s episode of Microsoft Envision, presented with Accenture and Avanade, I described Microsoft’s work in four key areas – trust in technology, inclusive economic growth, the fundamental rights of people, and sustainability – that companies of all sizes should consider for sustainable business growth. Now in its second season, Microsoft Envision is a digital series where business leaders from around the wor…

The Minecraft team has announced that its New Year’s Celebration is now officially in session. "Go! Rejoice! Check out Minecraft Marketplace, try on some skins, play the maps and have fun – in whatever order you like," Sofia Dankis declared in a post on Minecraft.net. Throughout the celebration, Minecraft will also be releasing free maps for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and Minecraft: Java Edition, as well as daily free Character Creator items that start dropping on Dec. 21. You can find the Bedrock: Edition maps in Minecraft Marketplace, along with a sale that will take place between Dec. 21 and Jan. 4. It will include giveaways, items at 33% off and daily doorbusters at 7…

Between now and Dec. 27, Sea of Thieves players can take part in the Festival of Giving, where presents are given to generous pirates who share their loot with their fellow freebooters. "During this carnival of the charitable, you can unlock new Wreath of Winter items and earn gold and Seasonal Renown by having other crews hand in your loot," says a post on SeaOfThieves.com. Head over to the post to find out how it all works. Continue reading...

The first Seasonal Adventure from Minecraft Dungeons – Cloudy Climb – has arrived, and it's free. "Cloudy Climb – an update all about heights and aiming for the top – contains plenty of new content for climb-enthusiastic adventurers to enjoy: a mysterious tower to explore and test your skills in, the introduction of a new reward track system and many new themed cosmetic items such as skins, pets, flairs, emotes and capes," says a new post on Minecraft.net. "And while there's an option to purchase a second reward track, the update is otherwise completely free." Head over to Minecraft.net for all the details and to watch the launch trailer. Or just boot up Minecraft Dungeon…

Hey Minecraft fans: Mojang Studios and 343 Industries have partnered with 4J Studios to update the Minecraft Master Chief Mash-Up Pack, adding eight new skins, including not one but three Master Chiefs. The dressing room will also receive a delivery of new emotes and Character Creator items, including a free Superintendent Shirt. Head over to Minecraft.net for details. Continue reading...

Twenty years ago, a small group within Microsoft took on a seemingly audacious ambition at that time: to create a video game console from scratch and take on much more established competitors. Despite many obstacles, Xbox was born. And, over two decades, it became a lasting presence ubiquitous in gaming and pop culture throughout the world. But until now, the full story of those humble beginnings, stops and starts hasn’t been told from a comprehensive inside perspective. “Power On: The Story of Xbox” is a new six-part docuseries that’s streaming for free so anyone can check out that tumultuous journey – hearing directly from those who were there when it all started, some …

The PANTONE Color of the Year for 2022 has been announced: PANTONE 17–3938 Very Peri. The color — a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a violet-red undertone — will now start appearing in Windows 11, Teams, Microsoft Edge, PowerPoint and more, the Microsoft Design team said on Thursday. "Color is a part of every design decision we make here at Microsoft, and we wanted to incorporate this new color into our designs in a way that could inspire people to feel more empowered and creative in their daily endeavors," the team said in a blog post. "Periwinkle blues are special in that they encompass the trusted and dependable qualities of the blues, yet their purple cast makes them…

Halo Infinite is available now on PC on Windows and Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass, which includes console, PC and Cloud Gaming (Beta). The game invites you to step inside the armor of the Master Chief, confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced and protect humanity, no matter the cost. Halo Infinite is also the franchise’s most accessible game yet, with free-to-play multiplayer and the full campaign available on day one with Xbox Game Pass. To find out how to get started, head over to Xbox Wire. Continue reading...

The latest season of Sea of Thieves includes a suite of new tools, features and updates. In Season Five, you can bury your own treasure and light up the sky with fireworks. You’ll also find new ways to immerse yourself in this world, new events and seasonal rewards. Get all the details over at SeaofThieves.com. Continue reading...

https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2021/12/Coworkers_Masked.jpg The past 20 months have been incredibly challenging for public sector organizations across the globe, with the global COVID-19 pandemic forcing a rapid to shift to remote work amid heightened demand for vital public services. We witnessed firsthand the way agencies that had pursued digital transformation before the pandemic were more resilient to unprecedented challenges. We also witnessed the way U.S. federal, state and local government agencies and educational institutions stepped up to support people, the economy and public health by embracing digital transformation: Morehouse Colle…

The latest release of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition for PC has just arrived, bringing with it new downloadable content, Mexico Civilization, which includes the “Grito de Dolores” historical battle. Also included are unlockable U.S. and Mexico Explorer skins, six new U.S. cards, a new mod rating system and lots of AI improvements. Head over to AgeOfEmpires.com for all the details. Continue reading...

https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2021/12/DisabilityCommunityMonth_JackyWright-header-1024x574.png For many of us, childhood is pivotal in the formation of our world view. We learn who we are, what we can be and how to relate to others and the world around us through interactions with our family, friends and community. It is in those environments where we learn a sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice, and how to be good neighbors to all people. As we recognize the disability community at Microsoft throughout December along with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, I want to reflect on my personal journey of moving from a…

Another busy month has passed for PC gaming at Xbox. More Xbox Game Studio releases came out on day one through Game Pass for PC, including Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite Multiplayer Beta and Football Manager 22. And if you haven’t tried Game Pass for PC yet, you can get the first three months for $1. Finally, Xbox Insiders can find out how to predict how well a game will run on their PCs. Head over to Xbox Wire for a quick recap of anything you might have missed. Continue reading...

Caves & Cliffs Update: Part II is now available on Minecraft: Bedrock Edition on Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and more. There's a lot to explore in Part II. The Overworld gets new terrain generation, an increased world height, dripstone caves, lush caves, larger ore veins and candles. For all the details, head over to Minecraft.net. Continue reading...

If you’re shopping for the holidays and you have Windows 11, you have some great tools at hand to help from getting overwhelmed. Through Microsoft Edge – the personal shopping assistance you always wanted – you can more easily find what you’re looking for, compare prices [1], apply coupons [2] and end up with savings that could add up significantly. The browser’s latest features can also keep your information safer online and help you spend with confidence. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2021/11/WIN_Edge_Coupons-Autofill_3x2_en-US-1024x683.jpg If you use your smartphone to shop, good news: You can find many of these shopping features on the Micr…

Between now and 10 a.m. PT on Nov. 30, the Minecraft Marketplace is holding its annual Block Friday Sale. Each day three items will be marked down by 75%, so it will pay off to check in regularly throughout the week. And while you’re there, pick up the free Cozy Animals skin pack by 57digital. Head over to Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...

In the few years since TJ Lee left everything behind to travel the world – and share her adventures with an ever-growing number of online fans – with only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, she’s learned a lot. The first year she worked entirely remotely and took on all sorts of freelance gigs to make money: social media management, photo headshots and building websites. But she spent days working on videos – only to be disappointed in the number of views they got. She’d get free products and experiences in exchange for making videos about them – but they’d end up taking much more time than the value of the things she got. Then, by more trial and error, she realized she …

Today, new emoji are starting to become generally available in Windows 11. As our PCs continue to play a central role in our lives enabling us to connect with one another, using emoji in conversation brings personality and personal expression to our messages. Emoji has become more common across various forms of communication where many of us are working, learning and connecting remotely and want to bring friendliness and human touch to our conversations. These new Fluent style emoji being released in Windows 11 today feel personal and familiar, two of our Windows 11 design principles. A team of emoji designers, program managers, font experts and developers focused on crea…

Ahoy Sea of Thieves fans: In this time of year for giving thanks, come together with your fellow pirates for the Feast of Bounty, a cornucopia of activities first to prepare for the feast, then to celebrate it heartily. The Preparation phase began Nov. 22, with pirates completing challenges such as cooking meat and collecting the Feast of Bounty Flag to ready themselves for the upcoming revelry. Then it'll be time to party, with the Celebration phase kicking off Nov. 25 and running until Nov. 29, with a new set of challenges to help all pirates enjoy the feast as much as possible. Head over to SeaOfThieves.com for the details and to get started. Continue reading...