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The vast amount of data in today’s enterprises provides a great opportunity to get valuable insights that enhance an organization’s products, goods and services. At the same time, many companies are migrating to the cloud to take advantage of its flexibility, efficiency and scale. With the recent advances in generative AI, businesses face new urgency to bring cloud services like analytics and machine learning to one of their most valuable technology environments: data. According to Gartner, the database market grew 14.4% this year and is on course to be a more than $100 billion market by the end of 2023. The overwhelming contributor to that growth is cloud database as …

Today we’re introducing Viva Sales, a new seller experience application that brings together any customer relationship management technology (CRM), Microsoft 365 and Teams to provide a more streamlined and AI-powered selling experience. The past two years have changed the way we work. Employees are demanding more from their employers in today’s hybrid world – from the tools they use to the hours and the places that they work. For sellers, the hybrid work environment means spending more time in video conferences, chats, email and documents to connect with customers and close deals. Salespeople also need to access their CRM system – as well as multiple applications and d…

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…

You only need two simple letters to accurately convey the major shift in the technology space this year: A and I. Beyond those letters, however, is a complex, evolving and exciting way in which we work, communicate and collaborate. As you will see, artificial intelligence is a common thread as we embark on Microsoft Build, our annual flagship event for developers. It’s already been a landmark year for the industry, starting in January with the announcement of an extension of our partnership with OpenAI to accelerate AI breakthroughs and to ensure these benefits are broadly shared with the world. And in February, Microsoft announced an all-new, AI-powered Bing search en…

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…

Although supply chain disruption is not new, its complexity and the rate of change are outpacing organizations’ ability to address issues at a global scale. Many solutions today are narrowly focused on supply chain execution and management and are not ready to support this new reality. Enterprises are dealing with petabytes of data, spread across legacy systems, Enterprise Resource Planning programs (ERPs), and custom solutions, resulting in a fragmented view of their supply chain. An organization’s supply chain agility and resilience will be determined by how they can connect their data and orchestrate actions across all relevant systems to quickly respond to changing…

To make it easier for STEM students to learn in-demand artificial intelligence skills, NVIDIA is making it possible for those with Windows 11 PCs to access its AI platform, which has been adopted by universities worldwide. Students studying popular STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines such as computer science, data science, information sciences and economics need access to the same technology used by research and industry: the NVIDIA RAPIDS suite of software, now coming to Windows 11. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs – which can do a lot of mathematical operations at once, like cranking through the calculations that are needed for AI – this platf…

How often do you share a screenshot to help others understand a problem or issue versus spelling it out in a lengthy email? If you’re like a lot of people, you may find sharing images an easier way of conveying a message and collaboratively finding solutions. With Dropbox Capture, an app available in the Microsoft Store to download onto Windows 10 and 11 PCs, you can record screenshots and videos, mark them up, and invite others to comment and markup through a shareable link that doesn’t require a sign-in. Users save time by consolidating feedback in one location. Aside from being a time saver, it’s also a tool that organizations can use as part of their onboarding or tra…

Explore the ocean depths in Trident City, this week's free adventure as part of Minecraft's New Year's Celebration. The newest release from Shaliquinn's Schematics, Trident City takes you to a far flung location, a mystical place from the depths of the sea. How do you get it? Open up the Marketplace on your Minecrafting device and download to explore wonders from the darkest areas of the ocean. Find out more. Continue reading...

How Gen Z is flipping the career paradigm on its head and navigating the entrepreneurial world independently. The data featured in this post is from an internal study, the "Small Business State of Mind" report, commissioned by Microsoft Corporation in April 2022 and conducted by Wakefield Research. In 2021 alone, Americans submitted over 5.4 million applications to start a new business. With the U.S. experiencing a small business boom, Gen Z, the generation known for bucking traditional paths, is shaping its future. They’re showing us their entirely unique perspective on work and success and shaking up the world as we know it with their social media prowess, value of…

Hey everyone my name is Ravenfreak. I'm a 34 year old guy who enjoys playing video games in his spare time. I also enjoy dabbling into ROM hacking, but mainly stick to modding the 8-bit Sonic games on the Sega Master System and Game Gear. I also enjoy listening to music, with my favorite genres being synthwave, and pop punk. I'm familiar with some tech related topics, and do my best to help people in real life when they run into tech issues but I'm far from an expert. I look forward to getting to know other tech enthusiasts here!

Windows is building what matters most for your business. This was the theme as Chief Product Officer Panos Panay took the stage in Seattle for a live keynote to kick off day two of Microsoft Ignite 2022. Together, he and engineering leaders from Windows, Intune, Windows 365, Defender, Teams, Loop and Surface discussed (and demonstrated) some of the latest features in Windows to support secure hybrid work from client to cloud. Here are a few highlights from this year’s conference plus details on where you can take a closer look at the capabilities that will help you easily deploy, update and manage—and deliver the most secure, personal and productive experience for devices…

This year we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Global LGBTQIA+ Employees and Allies at Microsoft (GLEAM) employee resource group that is a driving force for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and Pride at Microsoft around the world. At a time when LGBTQIA+, transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive communities need support, Microsoft invites everyone to keep and make more Pride by sharing stories, open-sourcing the entire Pride campaign design, contributing to LGBTQIA+ organizations, and creating a wide product release. Our efforts to support and advocate for LGBTQIA+ people do not start or end at Pride. By supporting our employees through global advocacy, charitable g…

Twenty-eight pieces of new content are landing on Minecraft Realms Plus in December. "We’re kicking off Realms Plus-mas in the snowiest setting: Holiday Winter Mansion by CrackedCubes," writes Sophie Austin on Minecraft.net. "If you’ve ever wondered where Santa lives (or where your North Pole invitation went) then wonder no more! In this frosty spawn, you’ll discover an incredible arctic wonderland, complete with custom terrain, and an enormous mansion nestling between the snow-covered pine trees." And that's just for starters. To find out about all the new content in December and how to subscribe to Realms Plus, head over to Minecraft.net. Continue reading...

Curious to see the first gameplay footage from Starfield? Xbox Wire is hosting a video from the June 12 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase providing a closer look as Game Director Todd Howard takes you on a tour of Bethesda Game Studios’ first new universe in 25 years. Starfield will arrive in 2023, exclusively on PC and Xbox Series X|S with day one access on Xbox Game Pass. Head over to Xbox Wire to watch the video and find out more about this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars. Continue reading...

As governments today look at technology innovation, there is a need to address the rapidly evolving demands of their citizens while protecting the most sensitive data and delivering on promises of trust and security. Modernization of government services without compromising security, digitization of manual processes and improved user experiences for both citizens and government employees are all benefits of digital transformation, and the right technology platforms can create even better opportunities for social and economic growth. The cloud can offer agility and flexibility, advanced cybersecurity features, and access to the latest innovations, including AI, to accel…

In the last few years, we’ve witnessed a significant shift in how IT decision makers support their organizations. With the rapid acceleration of distributed workforces, companies are dealing with a matrix of vendors and point solutions born out of necessity. But the need to improve security, provide employees with flexibility in device choice while keeping them productive, and get employees up and running more quickly to accelerate time to value is driving vendor consolidation with the goal of reducing costs and complexity. Companies looking for integrated, flexible work solutions don’t need to make trade-offs: the right solution brings value to employees by giving them c…

The past few years have been a period of dramatic change, with disruptions to our society, the global economy, political landscape, technology and the way we work. As organizations adapt to new challenges, they are turning to their technology providers to help them succeed. Against this backdrop, at this year’s Microsoft Ignite we are focused on how Microsoft Cloud is helping customers do more with less. In today’s uncertain economic environment, companies are looking to change the way they do work to get better results, with less friction and more choice. Microsoft Ignite is a showcase of the best of what’s next for Microsoft and its partners, technical decision-ma…

At CES 2023, Intel rolled out its 13th Gen Intel Core mobile processor family, led by the launch of the new flagship Intel Core i9-13980HX – what the company calls “the first 24-core processor for a laptop.” The new H-series processors push the computing possibilities for gamers and creators with up to 5.6GHz turbo frequency – the highest clock speed available for the laptop market. Intel also debuted the 13th Gen Intel Core P-series and U-series mobile processors, intended for those who want high performance on the go in sleek, thin systems. These processors feature up to 14 cores (6 Performance-cores, 8 Efficient-cores) and the enhanced Intel Thread Director. New Intel …

Play as the Dark Knight himself in the new Batman downloadable content for Minecraft. You’ll be tasked with an important mission, because Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, is in trouble and needs your help. "In this sprawling adventure from DC and Noxcrew you’ll get to experience Gotham City as you’ve never seen it before," writes Sophie Austin on Minecraft.net. "Claw your way between blocky rooftops or speed the Batmobile past iconic locations like Wayne Tower and the Monarch Theater as you track down the lairs of old foes." Head over to Minecraft.net for all the details and to watch the video. Continue reading...

The Forge AI Toolkit is coming to Halo Infinite -- and Xbox Wire wants you to know why this is going to be a big deal. “Forge has been around for a long time, and we’ve seen a lot of cool variations on multiplayer themes, but we’ve never seen what players can do with the AI. We’re going to see people remaking the intro battle when you first land on the Ring. We’re going to see that and that’s huge,” shares Michael Schorr, game studio 343 Industries' Forge lead designer. “Technically speaking, this is the first time we’ve had campaign AI enemies in multiplayer,” says 343 Industries’ Forge Technical Designer Connor Kennelly. “Which means whatever you make in Forge, they’ll …

“With Xbox’s 20th anniversary recently behind us, it’s also important to let you know what to expect from Team Xbox, including our devices and services, as we build a platform for the next 20 years of gaming,” writes Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief. “Today, we’d like to share what we’re doing next to continue making Xbox the best value in gaming for players to enjoy the best games, across genres and across console, PC and cloud, including new Xbox Game Studios titles with Xbox Game Pass the same day they launch.” Xbox is bringing the Xbox app to Samsung 2022 Smart TVs, expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming to more countries and rolling out updates for Xbox Game Pass members.…

We are entering a new era of AI, one that is fundamentally changing how we relate to and benefit from technology. With the convergence of chat interfaces and large language models you can now ask for what you want in natural language and the technology is smart enough to answer, create it or take action. At Microsoft, we think about this as having a copilot to help navigate any task. We have been building AI-powered copilots into our most used and loved products – making coding more efficient with GitHub, transforming productivity at work with Microsoft 365, redefining search with Bing and Edge and delivering contextual value that works across your apps and PC with Window…

Take on the Tower with all-new multiplayer levels, explore the jungle in Treetop Tangle, or see who now awaits you at camp. Fauna Faire, Minecraft Dungeons’ third seasonal adventure, arrives on Oct. 19, bringing both new ways to play and customize your character. "The fall might be upon us, but Fauna Faire brings an animal-focused late summer to the camp," writes Per Landin in a post on Minecraft.net. "This means there will be an abundance of furr-tastic skins, pets and other mob-themed cosmetic items to add to your closet. Whether you want to embrace your inner chicken or show off your mighty paw-er, there’s something for everyone." Head over to Minecraft.net to watch th…

The Age of Empires IV Season Two Update has arrived, bringing new content, additional ways to customize your gameplay and more, all available through Oct. 24. The first round of Season Two kicks off July 12 and runs for two weeks. Head over to AgeOfEmpires.com to find out how to take part in the new challenges and unlock exclusive rewards. Continue reading...