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Forza Motorsport’s general manager Dan Greenawalt and creative director Chris Esaki have spent decades rebuilding cars. “It’s a constant sort of passion,” Esaki says. The game they reimagined will both thrill experienced racers and immerse beginners. Forza Motorsport is now available on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S consoles, Windows PC and Steam, and Cloud Gaming (Beta). Head over to Source to find out more. Continue reading...

At CES 2023, Lenovo introduced an array of Windows 11 PCs to satisfy both personal and professional demands and needs. With Windows 11’s latest update, you’ll be able to tap into features such as Focus sessions, snap layouts that make it easier to get things done and the new Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to keep you safer on the web. [caption id=attachment_178049" align="alignnone" width="1024]https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2023/01/ThinkPhone-1000x1024.jpg Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola[/caption] Lenovo debuted another head-turner at CES: the Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola. Microsoft worked with Motorola (a Lenovo company) to bring Microsoft prod…

At IFA 2023, Lenovo introduced several new additions to Windows 11 gaming, including the Lenovo Legion Go – the company’s first Windows 11 handheld device for gamers – and its top-of-the-line Lenovo Legion 9i laptop. Businesses also got fresh options, including a new glasses-free experience with the ThinkVision 27 3D Monitor that is compatible with real-time eye-tracking. The Lenovo Legion Go brings the power of Windows 11 to a new mobile form factor, powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Z1 processors that bring games to life on the 8.8-inch Lenovo PureSight Gaming Display. The 10-point touch screen enables intuitive control for scrolling, tapping, or swiping. Every…

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over, but for some, the school year has already begun. PCs are important resources for students. If you’re still looking for the right one, you can find many choices with Microsoft’s partners. These laptops come with Windows 11, making every task easier, helping pupils from kindergarten to grad school. Right out of the box, they’re easy to set up, with a clean design that puts the taskbar front and center. There, you’ll find handy features such as an AI-powered Bing in the Windows search box and Windows Studio Effects with AI-enhanced video call enhancements. Multi-taskers will also appreciate snap layouts with touch controls, voice a…

I recently highlighted how generative AI technology is opening doors for organizations to imagine new ways to solve challenges, while unlocking innovation and delivering greater business value for those who adopt it. Organizations with modern data estates fortified with the Microsoft Cloud are already accelerating their AI transformation; and as many business leaders seek to keep pace they are turning to Microsoft and our partner ecosystem for industry expertise, scale and copilot capabilities. Microsoft has built a foundation of successfully delivering AI solutions for many years. Now, we are infusing generative AI capabilities across the services customers know and l…

Microsoft looks to generate $5 billion in revenue from LSEG and the financial services sector through 10-year strategic partnership. Today, we announced a 10-year strategic partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), a world-leading financial markets infrastructure and data provider. Following LSEG’s acquisition of Refinitiv, a market leader in data services, LSEG has differentiated itself in the market with an end-to-end proposition across trading, execution, data and analytics solutions. Together we look forward to empowering the future of financial markets by delivering next generation data, analytics and workspace solutions that transform how firms c…

We know the important role your PC plays every day for hybrid work, learning, entertainment and gaming, and we are committed to supporting our customers using Windows 10. Today, we are announcing the availability of the Windows 10 2022 Update (also known as Windows 10, version 22H2). Based on customer feedback we are providing a limited scope of new features and functionality delivered via a familiar, fast and reliable update experience. Version 22H2 will continue the recent Windows 10 feature update trend of being delivered in an optimized way using servicing technology. A scoped and streamlined update Windows 10, version 22H2 will have a limited set of features focu…

In a world where work could mean polishing up presentations at airports and taking meetings at home, technology that can drive collaboration and productivity in a variety of environments is more important than ever. Dell’s new PCs include 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 new preview of Phone Link for iOS is available in their Insider Program. Dell introd…

Last year, I had the opportunity to speak with customers across a wide range of sectors about how they are approaching the current economic climate. Whether they are focusing on increasing efficiency or driving cost savings, we are all essentially trying to do more with less and prioritize investments that will drive the most important and meaningful outcomes. Unfortunately, these resource constraints are coming at a time when data sources and data volumes continue to rise at staggering rates. According to a study published by the IDC, the amount of new data created, captured, replicated and consumed is expected to double in size by 2026. [1] This surge in data means IT d…

Summary The new Bing, your AI-powered copilot for the web, is now in preview, and you might be surprised at how much it can help us be better at our craft of communications. These are some starter prompts to ask Bing, which have helped me and my team in our work over the past few weeks. If you like the answers you find with Bing, remember to follow-up with the source links for more information. The new Bing is in preview, and we’re continuing to take feedback and apply those learnings to improve the experience over time. We’re in the thick of it, for sure. As communications professionals, we’re figuring out what this new age of AI means for us, for our craft, …

At CES 2023, NVIDIA announced its largest generational leap in performance ever with its GeForce RTX 40 Series laptop graphics processing units (GPUs) that run on Windows 11 and include DirectX 12 Ultimate. Gamers and creators will find plenty of appeal with DLSS 3, which boosts performance and creates additional high-quality frames using AI. This builds upon NVIDIA RTX, a platform for ray tracing and AI technologies that more than 250 top games and applications use to combine realistic graphics with fast performance. Creators will also find that NVIDIA’s AI can speed up workflows in 3D rendering, video editing, graphic design and more. And these powerful new laptop GPUs …

Today, I am honored to kick off our inaugural Marketplace Summit. For the first time, we are welcoming thousands of independent software vendors (ISVs) and Software as a service (SaaS) providers as we broadcast live from Microsoft Studios to share how we are committed to our shared success by helping ISVs maximize the marketplace opportunity. The mass migration to the cloud since the pandemic is forcing an inflection point where customers are looking to optimize and streamline their investments — this creates an opportunity for SaaS providers and ISVs. Because of this growing demand for SaaS services, we are firmly committed to provide the right resources, tools and su…

Capcom’s futuristic blue bomber, the maverick hunter Mega Man X, is making a grand appearance in Minecraft. "As of now, the Mega Man X DLC by 57Digital has arrived and is live on Minecraft Marketplace," writes Per Landin on Minecraft.net. "Relive the glory days of one of the best platformers ever brought to the Super Nintendo as X dashes from 2D right into a blocky 3D adventure! This DLC is not only rich with reploids – it’s charged with iconic levels reminiscent of the original game in the X series, features 14 skins of familiar characters and unforgettable songs from the game’s soundtrack!" Head over to Minecraft.net for details, a video and more. Continue reading...

https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2023/10/1920x1011-Microsoft-Israel-1024x539.jpg Microsoft’s campus in Herzliya, Israel. Photo: Amit Geron Photography Kathleen Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, shared the below communication today with Microsoft employees. I am profoundly saddened by the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel this weekend and the atrocities we continue to watch unfold. Together with the senior leadership team (SLT), I want to express my deepest sympathy for those who have been killed, injured, lost loved ones, and all those impacted by this violence. Together we condemn this hatred and brutality. To…

In October, our Microsoft Ignite event drove incredible dialogue around how organizations can navigate a challenging market. Digital perseverance as encapsulated so well by Judson Althoff, our executive vice president, and chief commercial officer, resonates deeply with us across the Azure business and is sharpening how we think of strategic innovation in the face of headwinds. There’s that word: Innovation. It continues to mean so many things to so many and, honestly, innovation becomes harder to distill amid constrained resources and near-term pressure. As we close 2022, reflecting on our own transformation, we remain inspired by a holistic cloud strategy; one which …

https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2023/01/iStock-1190108780-1024x576.jpg Vehicles are becoming increasingly smarter, more connected, and software defined. It’s hard to believe a mere 200 years ago, the horse and carriage were the predominant mode of transportation — and had been for hundreds of years. And then, with the invention of the internal combustion engine, moving people and goods changed immensely in a short period of time. Mobility became more accessible, affordable and created opportunities far beyond the scope of imagination. It was that once-in-a-century change that brought us to where we are today. Now, we’re facing another once-in…

Every industry depends on unique insights to achieve their goals, and unlocking the power of data is the key to an organization’s success. This is especially true in healthcare, where data has the potential to do so much good – from improving health outcomes and enhancing patient and clinician experiences to driving better organizational performance for healthcare systems. When a patient’s or the population’s health is at the center of the decision-making process, having the right data strategy in place can have a life-changing impact on people’s lives. Healthcare data continues to grow rapidly, and organizations are struggling to keep up with higher volume, greater va…

Windows has been at the heart of modern computing for nearly 40 years. It is the ubiquitous, open platform that powers computing experiences around the world and plays a significant role across multiple industries, such as education, government, military, hospitals and corporations, many of which provide mission critical services requiring a high level of security and resiliency. And this responsibility that Windows holds to keep businesses of every size running is one we take seriously. In close collaboration with our ecosystem partners, we ensure that Windows remains the optimal platform for organizations to perform at their best. As we enter this new era of work, we ar…

This month is Minecraft Marketplace’s Spooky Season, which brings a host of terrifying new skins and surprises in store. "Explore the dark and creature-filled corners of Haunted Park by Everbloom Games, uncover a chilling ritual in Shiver Mist Island by Monster Egg Studios, play Trick or Treat with Lifeboat Games or test your courage in the Scariest Map Ever from Sapphire Studios, to name just a handful of spooky delights," writes Sophie Austin on Minecraft.net. Head over to Minecraft.net to watch the video and find out more. Continue reading...

Businesses in search of the latest hardware – key to helping them better defend against the latest security threats and improve productivity – now have another advantage when they buy Windows 11 PCs: a new Intel vPro platform powered by 13th Intel Core processors. Intel vPro has built-in hardware security to detect ransomware and software supply chain attacks. Customers will have more choice with endpoint detection and response (EDR) vendors enabled with Intel Threat Detection Technology. New IT-enabled memory encryption will also take virtualization-based security to a game-changing level in Windows 11. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2023/03/vp…

If your business is buying new Windows 11 PCs, there are going to be more options with AMD’s new mobile and desktop processors adding the performance you need to speed up your workflow. These new processors provide enterprise-grade multi-layered security, including Secured-core PC and chip to cloud security technology enabled by Microsoft Pluton, as well as simplified deployment and manageability. At the end of May, new features and enhancements for Windows 11 became available that focus on business needs, such as security and IT management, and new benefits that enhance professional and personal usability. For those on the go, AMD’s Ryzen PRO 7040 Series Mobile processor…

Hey Minecraft fans: Escape Estate – this year's free Hour of Code lesson – is here. Use the power of code to solve puzzles, open trap doors in a mysterious mansion and reveal hidden clues. Escape by dawn and earn a million emeralds. To get started, download the Minecraft: Education Edition and set a goal of doing an Hour of Code a day. If you're a teacher, find out how to get the lesson plan and take a free course, or register your class to attend a live Hour of Code workshop with a guest teacher offered at multiple times during CS Ed Week, Dec 5–11. Watch the video and find out about it all on the Minecraft: Education Edition page. Continue reading...

In recent months, the remarkable strides made in AI innovation have ignited a wave of transformative possibilities, captivating our collective imagination with the promise of reshaping industries and the way we work. Today, at Microsoft Inspire, Meta and Microsoft announced support for the Llama 2 family of large language models (LLMs) on Azure and Windows. Llama 2 is designed to enable developers and organizations to build generative AI-powered tools and experiences. Meta and Microsoft share a commitment to democratizing AI and its benefits and we are excited that Meta is taking an open approach with Llama 2. We offer developers choice in the types of models they buil…

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 …

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…