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Each April we celebrate Families month at Microsoft, and our theme this year is “Empowering everyone through every stage, phase and season of our personal and professional lives.” The Families Employee Resource Group (ERG) has a vision to support employees in whatever family role they play. Collectively, we discard the idea that one can leave one’s personal life at the door when coming to work, because the modern reality is that our work lives are no longer fully separate from our personal lives. Being our whole selves means balancing a wide variety of personal and work responsibilities that all come with a host of expected and unexpected challenges. With the right suppor…

A critical priority for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is accelerating the speed at which information is collected, analyzed and delivered to where it is needed to support mission goals. Satellites are increasingly playing an important role in this ability to harness and move data around the world, but limitations in the current government architecture can still present challenges to getting information where it’s needed, when it’s needed. To solve this, the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has partnered with the U.S. Space Force in developing a Hybrid Space Architecture (HSA), designed to rapidly scale available space resources and bring together the best capabi…

Back-to-school season is here! Parents and students are welcoming a new school year, new classes, new workloads and most importantly – new supply lists! It can feel daunting to select the perfect device to set students up for success in the classroom and beyond. Microsoft Store is here to help with free personal shopping appointments and device setup with product experts and steep back-to-school savings running July 11-Sept. 10 on select Surface products. To help you shop with confidence, Microsoft Store purchases are supported by a 60-day return window and a low-price promise***. Microsoft Store’s top back-to-school deals and savings include: Great deals on Surface devi…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the defining technology of our time. Are small businesses equipped and willing to adapt to the new ways of work? The data featured in this post is from an internal study, the “Small Business State of Mind” report, commissioned by Microsoft Corporation in May 2023 and conducted by Wakefield Research. The pace of work has increased exponentially, and people are struggling to shoulder the weight of it all. Small businesses, accounting for 99% of all businesses and employing nearly half of the workforce in the U.S. , face heightened pressures due to more limited access to resources—people, revenue, etc.—than neighboring enterprises. With the e…

I’m delighted to share the news that Melanie Nakagawa will join Microsoft in January as our new Chief Sustainability Officer. Reporting directly to me as a Corporate Vice President, Melanie will partner with teams across Microsoft and take on the leadership role for our company-wide environmental sustainability work. Melanie brings to Microsoft almost two decades of environmental sustainability experience at the nexus of policy, business and technology, which will be vital as we continue our sustainability journey. She most recently served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate and Energy on the National Security Council at the White Hous…

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...

If you’re just starting out with Windows 11 – or looking for refreshers on making the most out of it – there’s a new video series that will help you with staying organized, keyboard shortcuts, personalizing your experience, apps and tools. “Meet Windows 11” recently debuted with three short videos that will get you up and running on Windows 11. The first one goes over basics such as universal search, desktop groups and Microsoft accounts. The second video helps you personalize your Windows experience by suggesting several features, such as creating collections for websites you browse, choosing desktop backgrounds and using widgets. The third video explores new and refresh…

The long-awaited promise of Captaincy is soon to be fulfilled in Sea of Thieves. "Season Seven arrives in July, and with it comes a whole set of Captaincy features that will not only allow you to name your ship and emblazon it on the crest for all to see, but customise the ship’s interior to your heart’s content and earn a whole host of new progression rewards too," writes Leigh "Lucky Lady" Loveday in a post on SeaOfThieves.com. Head over to SeaOfThieves.com to watch the trailer and find out more. Continue reading...

Created in collaboration with LaLiga, the new LaLiga Skin Pack for Minecraft brings you into the exciting world of professional soccer. Pick from over 20 different teams for a total of 80 skins — featuring kits for the 2022/2023 season — to become a Pro Footballer for your favorite team. Open up the Marketplace on your Minecrafting device and download, or visit the Minecraft Marketplace to find out more. Continue reading...

Not everyone works in an office or at home. If you work in more challenging environments – such as ambulances, fields, factories, deserts and tundras – devices that can withstand harsh conditions and still perform all necessary tasks are a must-have. To fulfill the needs of people who require mobility, ergonomics and durability in a PC, Dell has revealed its new Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet. It comes with Windows 11, 12th Gen Intel Core up to i7 processors and integrated Iris Xe graphics. The tablet’s new Wi-Fi 6E* capability and dual broadband support allow faster speeds while energy consumption has gone down. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/site…

Since the beginning of modern medicine, the arc of innovation has delivered previously unimaginable breakthroughs and treatments that have improved health outcomes and lengthened lifespans. We are now in an era where digital transformation is redefining the way organizations approach patient engagement, care team collaboration and the provider experience. From better access to patient data through electronic health records (EHR) to improved access to healthcare through telemedicine, technology has given providers solutions that enable greater productivity and, most importantly, improve the quality of care available to patients. But there is an opportunity to do more. T…

World Update X is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The latest free update enables players to explore the renowned canyons and rugged beauty of the vast Southwest, roam through the storied architecture of America’s great cities and soar among the majestic peaks that tower miles above their surroundings. "The Microsoft Flight Simulator team built World Update X using the latest high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery available," writes Jorg Neumann in a post on Xbox Wire. "The update also features brand new 3D cities including San Diego, CA, Albany, NY, Key Largo, FL, Seattle, WA, Olympia, WA and more." The update also includes four handcrafted airports, f…

Designed for hard-core gaming enthusiasts and creators, the Predator Orion 7000 series of Windows 11 desktop PCs have been refreshed with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors, which deliver advanced computing and multi-tasking capabilities. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2022/09/Predator-Orion-7000-light-rgb-14-1024x1000.jpg The device also includes one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, providing access to hundreds of high-quality PC games. Windows 11 and a boosted performance core helps maximize gaming, productivity, entertainment and creativity needs, while delivering the same fully-immersive graphics and best-in-class connectivity. Find …

As part of Disability Pride Month, Team Xbox proudly celebrates players, creators and community members with disabilities. More than 400 million video game players worldwide have disabilities, and an Xbox Wire post recognizes the contributions the gaming and disability community has made in making Team Xbox and the broader gaming industry more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. In the post, Brannon Zahand, senior gaming accessibility program manager and Microsoft Gaming & Disability community member, writes, “We encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the many players with disabilities across the globe who make up the vibrant gaming community…

Fallout 76’s test your metal update is now live. "There are new goings-on over in Appalachia with the latest update to Fallout 76," writes Parker Wilhelm, Content Manager for Bethesda Softworks, in a post on Xbox Wire. "Join your squad in not one, not two, but three new Public Events, plus take a dive into the unknown with Fallout 76’s ninth Season, Heart of Steel: A Dread Island Tale." Head over to Xbox Wire for the details. Continue reading...

If you’re one of the nearly half of holiday shoppers looking to scoop up gifts on sale this season, we have great news – Microsoft Store’s Black Friday sale starts today, Nov. 17. Savings on everything from Surface devices, Xbox consoles, tech accessories, digital games and more make finding something for everyone on your list a breeze. And if you’re stumped, take the guesswork out and book a free, online personal shopping appointment with a Microsoft product expert. Bring us your hard-to-shop-for family and friends, and we’ll help you find the perfect gifts. When you shop the Microsoft Store, you can start purchasing early and be confident you’re getting a great deal. Th…

Summertime has arrived, and with that a chance to hopefully slow down a bit, get outdoors and make memories with our loved ones. During this time of year, some of us are also planning travels or perhaps are tackling projects around the house that we didn’t have time for during the busy school year. This month, we’re introducing upgrades to Collections, with new ways to help you organize your ideas and find inspiration – all with the goal of helping you make the most of your time online so you can focus on what matters most to you. Remember, if you’re running a Windows PC, you already have Microsoft Edge installed, so launch it and check it out and see why Microsoft Edge i…

The newest addition to the HP Fortis PC portfolio is aimed at helping students and workers collaborate better, no matter where they are, with a durable and powerful Windows 11 laptop. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2023/02/HP-Pro-x360-Fortis-11inch-G11_AerialFlatLay-1024x1024.jpg The PC also includes a 360-degree hinge and interactive touchscreen. Students and workers who prefer using a digital pen can add an optional HP Slim Rechargeable Pen to take notes, draw and edit. Windows has been reimagined for a new era of digital learning. Affordable Windows 11 devices like this help educators unlock the full potential of every student, giving them po…

Take the battle for galactic supremacy to its ultimate level in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion – a standalone RT4X game that combines the tactics of real-time strategy with the depth of the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate). Published by Stardock Entertainment, the game pits loyalist members of the Trader Emergency Coalition, who adopt a policy of isolation, against rebels who take on a purely militant view. Continue reading...

Though schools have returned to in-person learning, that doesn’t erase the digital paradigm shift that was brought on by the pandemic. At the Future of Education Technology Conference in New Orleans, Lenovo announced refreshed and new solutions aimed at supporting hybrid learning styles and ongoing technological pivots by students and teachers. Lenovo’s latest Windows 11 laptops and convertibles are built to withstand the challenges of education at every level. Lenovo DuraSpec provides a series of hardware features and testing methods to ensure the company’s devices withstand the rigors of daily indoor and outdoor classroom life. These protective innovations built into th…

Creators and gamers in search of updating their PCs have new options with the lineups Lenovo recently released that aim to deliver performance, versatility and mobility in portable designs. Lenovo’s PCs come with Windows 11, which introduced a major update at the end of February. One of the biggest additions is a typable Windows search box that brings the new AI-powered Bing front and center. The update also includes improved touch experiences, full screen widgets, quick access to the Windows 365 app and new AI features in Start. Additionally, Windows announced a preview of Phone Link for iOS which is currently available to Windows Insiders and available to all Windows us…

Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more includes empowering small and medium-sized business owners with the technology they need to participate and thrive in an inclusive, digital economy. SMBs, so often the backbone of local economies and communities around the world, are celebrated every year through National Small Business Week. This year, that’s April 30 to May 6. Small business owners who believe technology is key to their successful digital transformation look to security and reliability as intertwined and important factors in deciding which PCs to use as they grow. With Windows 11, they can reduce risk from c…

Crossplay Viking adventures await in Valheim, available now for Windows PC and included with PC Game Pass, and coming to Xbox early next year. "The full crossplay support will ensure that you can play together with your friends, no matter what platform you’re using," writes Iron Gate Studio's Josefin Berntsson in a post on Xbox Wire. "And once the upcoming Mistlands update arrives, you will need all the help you can get..." Head over to Xbox Wire to find out more. Continue reading...

With the holidays fast approaching, savvy shoppers are already on the hunt for great deals on tech for family and friends. Microsoft Store is kicking off savings earlier than ever with can’t-miss Early Black Friday deals on PCs starting Nov. 1. And with our Microsoft Store Promise, extended holiday returns through Jan. 31, flexible payment options and low-price promise, shoppers can have confidence they’ll get our best deals of the season. Ready, set, shop! From Nov. 1, save up to 50% on select PCs: Starting at $149.99, which come preloaded with Windows 11 to make the everyday easier. Starting from $279.99, HP 15-dy2046ms 15.6 Laptop: Stay connected to what matters most w…

To help everyone see themselves in Minecraft, the team has created more options that better reflect the community. As a result you will now be able to make your way through Minecraft in seven new default skins. "Hopefully, you will see a bit of yourself in these skins and will grow to love them just like Alex, Steve and everything else that makes up the blocky world that is Minecraft," writes Sofia Dankis on Minecraft.net. Head over to Minecraft.net to check out the new skins and find out more. Continue reading...