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Star Wars fans: You can now download themed content based on your favorite space saga from the Minecraft Marketplace. The pack includes content from the classic trilogy (“A New Hope” to “Return of the Jedi”) as well as the streaming series “The Mandalorian.” This DLC includes a map, a skin pack and a licensed soundtrack. You don’t have to go far, far away to find out more. Just head over to Minecraft.net! Continue reading...

Friends and family members who normally travel to be together over the holidays are looking for ways to enjoy each other’s company remotely. Tech can help you get there. Does your clan enjoy games? The Windows team has compiled a list of the best games to play online together using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, whether you’re on your PC, console or Android mobile devices from the cloud (beta). Or maybe you like to watch movies together? Try the new Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) extension on Microsoft Edge. This extension works with streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, Disney+, Netflix and more, and you can use it to sync video playback so you can discuss scenes and react together in a chat. Head over to the Windows Resource Center for these and other tips to help you enjoy this holiday season with the ones you love. Continue reading...

You can now pre-order the all-new Razer Book 13, a high-performing productivity laptop built for modern lives on-the-go and working remotely. It comes with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics, capable of up to 4.7GHz clock speeds with Intel Turbo Boost, as well as robust connectivity, in an ultra-compact size: under three pounds and 0.6-inches thin. The processor is faster and more efficient than the previous generation, so users can get more done over longer periods of time without having to reach for a charger. To ensure the ultra-thin laptop stays cool and quiet, the processor is fitted with a unique vapor chamber cooling solution from Razer that reduces ambient heat and noise emissions. It comes with up to 16GB of memory for taking on heavy multitasking, managing dense productivity-based projects and improving performance in creative applications. It’s also equipped with up to 512GB of fast SSD storage, enabling users to quickly access programs, files and other media. Two booming speakers powered with smart amp technology line the sides of the keyboard with THX Spatial Audio for immersive 360-degree sound. THX Spatial Audio is also available for listening over 3.5mm headphones. [caption id=attachment_175052" align="aligncenter" width="2560]https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2020/11/RZR_Product_RightOn_R6-scaled.jpg Razer Book 13[/caption] All models will feature Intel Evo platform verification, an elite class of mobile devices that feature instant wake technology to quickly resume work in less than a second, consistent responsiveness on battery, no less than 9 hours of real-world battery life on designs with FHD displays to make it through the day, and four or more hours of battery life in a 30-minute charge*. And don’t worry about forgetting your dongles. This ultraportable is lined with two Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C), a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a 3.5mm combo port and a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port. And, if you want to expand storage or transfer files from a camera or phone, you can do so with a microSD card slot. The laptop also includes the latest wireless protocols including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for fast, reliable and convenient wireless connectivity. The Razer Book 13 Intel Core i5 configuration starts at $1,199.99 USD and will be available later this month exclusively at Razer.com and RazerStore retail locations worldwide. The Razer Book 13 Intel Core i7 configurations start at $1,599.99 USD and will be available in later this month at Razer.com, RazerStore retail locations and select retailers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific and China. Find out more about the Razer Book 13. *Verified, measured and tested against a premium specification and Key Experience Indicators as part of Intel’s laptop innovation program Project Athena. Testing results as of August 2020, and do not guarantee individual laptop performance. Power and performance vary by use, configuration and other factors. For more complete information about performance and benchmark results, visit Intel.com/Evo. Continue reading...

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We’re approaching the time of year that’s all about togetherness, but finding ways to connect with family and friends poses an interesting challenge in 2020. The world feels very different than it did last holiday season, so I’m very grateful we have secure, reliable devices that help us stay in touch virtually. It got me thinking: Giving someone a powerful, modern PC is about more than just the hardware—it’s truly the gift of being connected. One of the things I love about my job is getting a close look at the amazing new devices our partners release each year. And this year—despite everything—has been no exception. Here are just a few of the Windows 10 PCs that are sure to delight your loved ones and help them connect and share all year long. Acer Swift 5 For the friend or family member who takes their device everywhere, look for laptops featuring the Intel Evo badge like Acer Swift 5. The ultralight, sleek Acer Swift 5 offers up to 17 hours of battery life and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, making this laptop ultraportable. But don’t let its breezy 2.2 pounds fool you. The 11th Gen Intel Core processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics, Windows 10 capabilities and up to 1TB of high-speed storage make the Swift 5 a productivity workhorse so users can stay connected wherever they go. With easy security features like an embedded fingerprint reader and Wake on Voice, your loved one will never have to worry about keeping their device and data protected, at home or in public. Shop now. ASUS ZenBook Duo and ASUS VivoBook S15 The new ASUS ZenBook Duo is perfect for people who want to let their creativity flow. The ASUS ScreenPad Plus is a full-width auxiliary touchscreen that expands and works seamlessly with the main 14-inch touch display. Users will find endless ways to express themselves and a stable, physical platform for taking notes, drawing or sketching out ideas. The 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce graphics chip and Windows 10 combine to give this laptop ultimate power so nothing stands between you and your ideas. Shop now. The ASUS VivoBook S15, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 Mobile Processor, offers the performance to get you through any task at an extremely competitive price point. Shop now. Dell New XPS 13 2-in-1 Give a device that gives users balance. This 2-in-1 offers a 13.4-inch InfinityEdge screen that folds all the way back and supports touch and inking with optional Dell Premium Active Pen. The 16:10 display offers edge-to-edge views with brilliant colors made possible by Dolby Vision. Users will enjoy immersive video calls on apps like Teams to drive more collaboration and personal connection. And after work or school is done, the binge watching can begin! Incredibly long battery life enabled by Windows 10 and the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Xe graphics lets the super-streamer in your life enjoy their favorite shows for up to 14 hours with FHD+. Shop now. HP Spectre x360 14 This device is great for the loved one who wants a smooth computing experience. The HP Spectre x360 14 features 11th Gen Intel Core processors and offers a host of intelligent features and software capabilities designed to adapt to the user—like knowing when it’s in your bag to prevent battery drain. Focus Mode eliminates distractions by dimming background apps while keeping the app you’re using bright. The first Spectre all-in-one keyboard puts power, camera-shutter and mute mic buttons within reach for convenient access. Plus, this device is made from natural and ocean-bound plastic materials, making it an effortless step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Shop now. Lenovo Legion 7i Stylish outside and savage inside, the Legion 7i laptop paired with Xbox Game Pass for PC is a dream for the gamers on your list. See the whole landscape on the 15.6-inch display. The TrueStrike keyboard uses the latest technologies to enhance click-feel and responsiveness to make every touch count. Gaming worlds look crisper and brighter thanks to NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards delivering up to 240 frames per second. And since there’s no time for lag when you’re in the fray, a powerful processor combined with Windows 10 lets users stream and play the latest games at their absolute best. Shop now. Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 13 Perfect for meeting up in open spaces, the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 13 lets loved ones get outside and stay connected. This 2-in-1’s QLED touchscreen display shines bright even in direct sunlight and allows users to stream and browse in vibrant, near-100% Color Volume. The built-in S Pen can be used for inking or even start slideshows from across the room. And when your phone is low on juice, you can wirelessly recharge using the trackpad—yes, the trackpad. Co-engineered with Intel to deliver advanced performance and responsiveness on the go, Samsung packed this 2-in-1 with innovative features that are sure to delight. Shop now. Looking for something specific? These are just some of the many impressive Windows 10 PCs that were launched this year. I hope this holiday gift guide helps narrow it down. Whichever you choose, all these devices—and every Windows 10 PC—come equipped with industry-leading security that your friends and family can rely on, you really can’t go wrong. Wishing you and everyone on your list a safe, joyful, and connected holiday season! Continue reading...

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Gears Tactics, the fast-paced, turn-based strategy game from the Gears of War franchise, is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and on PCs with Xbox Game Pass and Smart Delivery. This coincides with a major update released to Gears Tactics players on all platforms: The Gears franchise’s signature companion bot Jack joins the fight as a new playable character with over 20 skills, new Deviant enemies add a new layer of challenge in the battles, new Supreme equipment rewards players with powerful gear to play through the campaign, and enhanced controller support delivers an optimized experience on Xbox consoles and PC. Players are now able to fully remap their keyboard controls, adjust camera settings, resize safe zones and manage the amount of information on the UI. New features for keyboard and mouse input, such as zoom and expanded keyboard bindings, have also been added. Go to Xbox Wire for more details. Continue reading...

For some people, this time of year can be stressful because we want to get so much done before the holidays. For others, money matters can be upsetting. And the fact it’s dark for so much of the day can add to the blues. Tech can help. If you’re worried about stretching your money further, Microsoft Edge’s new Collection feature makes it a lot easier to compare prices of products you're shopping for online. If you’re feeling lonely or having trouble getting to sleep, you might find that keeping a journal helps you stay focused and clear your mind. And new features in Microsoft 365 can help you meditate, learn about new topics, and even try out new recipes to spice up your life. Head over to the Windows Resource Center for these and other tips to help you make this holiday season more relaxing. Continue reading...

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Families are already planning to get together virtually this holiday season, but have you thought about what you can do to make those meetings fun and memorable? Especially for kids, a video call is only going to hold their attention for so long. Fortunately the Windows team has come up with a wide range of activities to bring the spice of the holidays to far flung families. Visit the Windows Resource Center for tips on scheduling face time, creating crafts, making video recaps of the year to share, creating holiday cards and more. Continue reading...

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The latest Sea of Thieves monthly update is available now and free for all players across Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass and Steam. In “Fate of the Damned,” skeletal Shadows of Fate are besieging the seas, and pirates must seek out fateful Flames to fight back against a threat that changes weekly. In a nod to the scariest season, a Skeleton Cat and Dog rattle into the Pirate Emporium, along with the spectral Soulflame Ship Set. If you prefer to travel by firelight, you can also acquire the free, irreverent Lantern Dance Emote that helps lighten even the gloomiest moments. Get all the details over at Xbox Wire. Continue reading...

Halloween Collections in both Character Creator and Minecraft Marketplace are now available. There will also be a free Character Creator item and a free Halloween skin pack, but make sure to snap them up now because it will cost more after Nov. 2. Get more details at Minecraft.net. Continue reading...

In the spirit of the season, Minecraft Dungeons’ Spooky Fall Event is now live until midnight Nov. 3. Join in on the time-limited Seasonal Trials. If you finish these difficult challenges, such as Night Mode, you’ll reap the rewards of themed items. Apocalypse Plus, a new feature that brings the most extreme difficulty mode yet as well as 20 increasingly challenging levels, is also live. This optional, free update is here to stay, so there's no rush if who want to train a bit before facing it. Find out more at Minecraft.net. Continue reading...

To help its service technicians more efficiently repair and maintain its models, Mercedes-Benz USA is outfitting all of its authorized American dealerships with HoloLens 2 headsets. The devices are equipped with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, a mixed reality app that that lets users collaborate during hands-free video calls from their own computers. Organizations have long known the importance of business resiliency, but becoming resilient requires time and preparation, and the pandemic has forced many organizations to evolve at a pace few could have imagined. To recover and thrive within this new context presents new challenges. That is why we are partnering with customers to support faster adoption of digital capabilities. We see firsthand the incredible strides they are making to be agile, efficient, and responsible in their operations to deliver long-term value and mitigate the effects of future disruptions. At Microsoft Ignite, our CEO Satya Nadella spoke about how digital tech intensity is the key to business resilience and transformation. I also spoke with several customers about their incredible digital transformation efforts, including Shell, Land O’Lakes, BNY Mellon, Unilever, and NHS Digital. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/2-Transform-to-Net-Zero_CR-tyler-lastovich-iD9F5pzNwLk-unsplash-2048x1536-1-1794x1080-1-1024x616.jpg Microsoft is one of nine companies that established a new initiative in July to accelerate the transition to a net zero global economy — Transform to Net Zero — aimed at developing and delivering research, guidance and implementable roadmaps to enable all businesses to achieve net zero emissions. Through new initiatives and strategic partnerships, we are working with our customers to significantly shape the future using digital innovation and efforts aimed at promoting the world’s energy transition. Recently, for example, we launched Transform to Net Zero, a new initiative alongside industry leaders that delivers guidance and business plans to help the private sector transition to a net zero global economy. We are also helping organizations meet their carbon reduction goals while addressing pressing customer expectations around sustainability. Our recent news with bp aims to help the company develop new technology innovations and digital solutions built on our cloud to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and our work with Shell aims to create and deliver new solutions to help customers, suppliers and other businesses lower emissions. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/3-Standard-Chartered-Bank_CLO17_carBackseat_001-1024x683.jpg Standard Chartered Bank is accelerating its digital transformation through a cloud-first strategy to make its vision for virtual banking, next-generation payments, open banking and banking-as-a-service a reality. In financial services, our customers are focused on enhancing customer experiences by building friction-less, always on, agile digital solutions leveraging our cloud. Our collaboration with Mastercard will accelerate the development of emerging technologies aimed at helping its partners build and securely scale new solutions to drive financial security and sustainable growth. Morgan Stanley Capital International is delivering new capabilities to help investors quickly and efficiently manage data to gain intelligent insights on risk and performance drivers leveraging Azure Data Services. In the U.K., Finastra is bringing even more mission-critical solutions to the cloud for its customers and Refinitiv is helping financial firms collaborate and unlock the power of their data and insights. National Australia Bank is accelerating its cloud innovation to create compelling customer experiences, and in Singapore, Standard Chartered Bank is taking a cloud-first approach to make banking more accessible across its network. In addition, we are partnering with Germany-based Munich RE to store and leverage insured population data for risk management and product development using Azure Cosmos DB in a way that meets regulatory and compliance requirements. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/4-Telstra-Hero-1536x1360-1-1024x907.jpg Telstra is focused on accelerating the development and release of innovative and sustainable cloud-based solutions across multiple industries, driving efficiency, amplifying decision-making capability and enhancing customer experiences. In telecommunications, data-driven solutions are advancing innovation, amplifying decision-making capability, and enhancing customer experiences. AT&T recently unveiled a fast and highly secure Internet of Things (IoT) solution built on AT&T’s global cellular network and Azure Sphere to help businesses connect machines and equipment to the cloud, bypassing the need for public internet. Following our expanded partnership with Australia-based Telstra, citizen developers have automated manual processes with Power Apps in Microsoft Teams, helping improve customer service and the company’s financial performance. In addition, we launched the “SKT 5GX Cloud Game” powered by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with SK Telecom — making Korea the first Asian market to offer Xbox’s cloud gaming service. To help small businesses thrive, T-Mobile is launching new rate plans with Microsoft 365 productivity tools included at no additional charge so they can help customers navigate the new realities of a remote world. We are also working with Lumen (formerly CenturyLink), which quickly adopted Azure Active Directory amid the pandemic, to enable secure remote access for its global workforce. At our Azure for Operators event, we announced our close collaboration with the telecommunications industry to help operators quickly leverage the potential of 5G for greater resiliency and cost efficiency while driving new services and business models. We also joined the 5G Innovation Lab to provide engineering and technology resources to help entrepreneurs develop, test and bring to market new innovation. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/5-New-Jersey-Courts-Banner.jpg-2-1024x350.png New Jersey Courts makes the case for virtual proceedings with Microsoft Teams and provides vital legal services during COVID-19. The pandemic has also encouraged many public sector organizations to digitally transform at speed. The Georgia Office of the State Treasurer kept critical state services operating through highly secure remote work solutions using Microsoft 365, Windows Virtual Desktop and Surface devices. Following a statewide stay-at-home-order, the New Jersey Courts shifted its entire workforce across 15 jurisdictions to remote work while serving more than 300,000 members of the public in over 36,000 virtual legal proceedings using Surface and Teams. Academic institutions are also choosing Microsoft as their trusted cloud partner to become more agile in delivering remote learning and research capabilities. In the U.K., the University of Nottingham found a scalable, long-term solution for researchers and engineering students to continue learning with Microsoft 365, Teams and Windows Virtual Desktop; Durham University found a simple yet secure way for staff and students to access on-premises applications using Azure Active Directory; and the Saudi Ministry of Education has rolled out distance education in record time using a national platform linked to Microsoft 365 and fully hosted on Azure. Hospitals are using mixed reality and artificial intelligence (AI) to treat patients safely, including Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital, the first in Quebec designated to treat COVID-19 patients. When doctors needed to minimize contact with patients and preserve limited personal protective equipment, they turned to Microsoft’s HoloLens for a setup that includes Dynamics 365 Remote Assist and Microsoft Teams, allowing a single doctor to visit a patient while the full healthcare team participated from a separate room. We continue to see inspiring stories that solve for very real problems outside of the pandemic itself. The European Parliament is bringing the democratic process closer to citizens by ensuring debates are accessible to everyone, leveraging AI for real-time captioning and translation across the European Union’s 24 official languages. In Brazil, PBSF has developed a system using data from a central hub to monitor brain activity in newborns at high risk of neurological injury, allowing for rapid intervention to save lives and prevent permanent damage. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/6-Woolworths.png Woolworths is making work simpler for its teams, streamlining supply chains and improving customer experiences across its vast network of stores and online channels by harnessing the cloud. In retail and consumer products goods, we are partnering with customers to accelerate their data estate modernization to increase security, drive innovation and unlock intelligent insights. PepsiCo is migrating its global data estate and SAP workloads to gain insights that will fuel product innovation and customer relationships while connecting its entire workforce through Microsoft 365. In Australia, Woolworths is moving its mission-critical applications onto our cloud to streamline its supply chain and improve customer experiences across stores and channels. Marks & Spencer has adopted Azure Synapse Analytics after replacing its on-premises data warehouse, a move that now allows the British retail chain to scale and democratize its data in line with increasing consumer demand. Switzerland-based Nestlé is using a custom solution to prevent cybersecurity threats for its 300,000 employees worldwide. Beiersdorf AG, the German multinational personal-care products manufacturer and retailer, is keeping its more than 20,000 employees working securely with access to all of its applications and data. In addition, Office Depot has created a citizen developer program to help employees turn productivity-boosting ideas into reality with Power Apps and Teams, and Australian retailer JB Hi-Fi Group is using a Dynamics 365-enabled intelligent solution to increase transparency and maintain strong customer satisfaction across its two brands regardless of whether a product is bought in-store or online. Click here to load media Land O’Lakes’ digital strategy is focused on enhancing digital capabilities, revitalizing rural communities, and transforming the Ag industry to build tighter connections between consumer and farmers through innovative cloud technologies. Customers across industries are building innovative digital tools to help their communities and businesses thrive and deliver critical services and goods to people who need them most while encouraging safety, efficiency and inclusivity. For example, we are working closely with Land O’Lakes to pioneer new innovations in agriculture to enhance the supply chain, expand sustainability practices and close the rural broadband gap across America. Likewise, Farmlands, New Zealand’s largest rural supplies cooperative, is accelerating its cloud-based, e-commerce system to provide undisrupted access to vital farming supplies to its more than 70,000 shareholders across the country during the pandemic. Mixed reality technologies are helping food and beverage manufacturers like Ecolab ensure food safety and high-quality products, and Mercedes Benz USA is helping technicians across its dealerships repair and maintain vehicles more efficiently. Construction company Suffolk is promoting safer jobsites with thermal imaging cameras to check the temperature of everyone entering a worksite, and in France, Sodexo is delivering digital tools and assistive technologies to help develop employment opportunities and build digital skills for first-line workers with disabilities. Africa’s Talking is helping software developers grow and create more job and economic opportunity even in regions with limited local cloud access using Azure Arc. We are also partnering closely with Citrix on go-to-market solutions that enable companies to reimagine the workplace of the future and adapt to changing market conditions with cloud-based tools and services. I am deeply impressed by our customers’ commitment to innovating for today’s reality and tomorrow’s promise — especially at such an accelerated pace. Their efforts now help limit operational and environmental risk in the future while still strengthening their ability to respond to shifting market demands. I am also humbled they have selected Microsoft as their digital transformation partner and am eager to help accelerate their transformation through recovery and beyond. The post A time of resiliency, change and innovation: How cloud-focused business strategies are driving transformation across industries appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

This summer, Microsoft launched the Global Skills Initiative aimed at helping 25 million people worldwide acquire new digital skills. And since that announcement, we’ve helped 10 million people gain skills to better navigate digital transformation. We believe it’s imperative to help everyone who wants it to have access to learning technology that powers the digital economy. Those who create technology will shape our future, and there shouldn’t be barriers to learning the skills required to do so. We’re helping prepare today’s learners for jobs of tomorrow in multiple technical fields, from development to data science and machine learning, and more. Our goal is to ignite the passion to solve important problems relevant to their lives, families and communities. One way we bring that goal to life is through story-driven partnerships with leading creators like Netflix. We began that journey with NASA, “Wonder Woman 1984” and the Smithsonian Learning Labs. And now, we’re excited to release a new learning experience featuring a young female hero who has a passion for science and is empowered by her intelligence to explore space! This has already been an exciting week for space developments at Microsoft – now we want to help you explore space with some new learning experiences. Launching today Inspired by the new Netflix Original, “Over the Moon,” today we’re launching three new Microsoft Learn modules that guide learners through beginning concepts in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The new Explore Space with “Over the Moon” learning path includes three parts: Plan a Moon Mission using the Python Pandas Library – Like Fei Fei, use data to plan your own mission to the moon. Ensure your rocket can not only get you there, but also bring you and all your moon rocks safely back to Earth. Analyze and visualize datasets with common data cleansing practices. Predict Meteor Showers using Python and VC Code – Build a machine learning prediction model after cleansing a space-themed dataset on meteor showers. Incorporate Chang’e’s potential affects on meteor showers for an added complexity. Use AI to Recognize Objects in Images using Azure Custom Vision – Repurposing the camera on the lunar rover, search through the moon’s surface for Fei Fei’s buddy Bungee before it’s time to head back to Earth. Use Azure Custom Vision to classify pictures of animals without ever writing code. These modules utilize Visual Studio Code and Azure Cognitive Services so learners walk away with practical skills for the careers of tomorrow. Though “Over the Moon” features a young hero, the storyline and technical learning aspect has broad appeal for upskilling professionals and post-secondary students alike. Some coding skills are recommended but not required to progress. For more details on the tech in these lessons, check out our Azure Developer Community blog post. “Netflix is excited to partner with Microsoft to bring some of the challenges of space travel that Fei Fei overcame in ‘Over The Moon’ to life with real world technical application in this new Microsoft Learn path.” – Magno Herran, head of UCAN Marketing Partnerships, Netflix The movie’s story takes place in a beautifully animated universe and tackles problems real-life space engineers face. “Over the Moon” is a film about Fei Fei, a girl who builds her own space rocket and uses her creativity, resourcefulness and imagination to reach the moon. With its diverse cast and young female protagonist, the film creates an inclusivity to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that’s so important in inspiring upskilling pros and new learners alike. We hope to inspire students, career changers, and even expert coders to learn something new, because anyone can pursue their dreams, no matter how out of this world they may seem. Explore more about “Over the Moon” on Microsoft’s InCulture experience. Want to hear what the actors of “Over the Moon” said about new skilling experiences? Start here: “This is such important movie because Fei Fei’s determination and passion for science is shared by millions of girls and women around the world.” – Cathy Ang YouTube Video Click here to load media “This is an inspiring story of determination and making dreams come true through the love and support of your community … we invite you to start your journey of using artificial intelligence and machine learning to support space exploration!” – Phillipa Soo YouTube Video Click here to load media You can also learn how to create a character like Fei Fei – and solve complex problems like her, too –with a drawing tutorial from director Glen Keane. Additional programs to inspire and engage learners Imagine Cup 2020 – Student developers making a difference through coding, collaboration and competition. Over the past 19 years, more than 2 million competitors have taken part in the Imagine Cup, Microsoft’s global student technology competition. This season of Imagine Cup is a global virtual experience with four new categories: Earth, Education, Health and Lifestyle. By leveraging Microsoft tools, resources and learning materials students can bring their bold ideas to life. Prizes include mentorship from Microsoft experts, cash, the chance to showcase their work on a global stage, and a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. New Beginners’ learning on Microsoft Learn and Learn TV. We continue to expand our paths for beginning learners that teach coding, explore new frameworks and libraries, and experiment with emerging technologies. Here’s a compilation of our more recent additions: Learn with Dr G – a weekly programming video series, kicking off with “Over the Moon” content Coffee & Code a weekly beginner’s series on web development – series of 51 short on-demand videos – series of 28 snackable on-demand videos Get started with Blockchain – new guided learning path Discover the Role of Coding in Space Exploration – NASA-themed learning path for intro AI classification and more Learn the Basics of Python with Wonder Woman – Write a secret decoder algorithm with Python and build your own conditional logic app Wherever you are on the skilling journey, we have something for you! Please join us in helping today’s learners build the job skills of tomorrow (and have some fun doing it). The post Learn about data science and coding with Fei Fei, the hero from the Netflix Original, ‘Over the Moon’ appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

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Acer has introduced a suite of new consumer notebooks across its Swift, Spin and Aspire series, all powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Xe graphics. The refreshed devices also come with features such as full HD IPS touch screens, ports that provide fast and convenient data transfer and the flexibility of different modes. Most also include Cortana and/or Windows Hello. [caption id=attachment_174991" align="aligncenter" width="2560]https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2020/10/Acer-Porsche-Design-Acer-Book-RS-AP714-51-High_06-scaled.jpg Porsche Design Acer Book RS[/caption] Acer’s last announcement of the day involves a new partnership with Porsche Design that has produced a high-end notebook that combines advanced technologies with purist and minimalist design elements. The Porsche Design Acer Book RS comes with an all-metal chassis that packs in up to the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU – all within 2.65 pounds and 0.63 inches. A carbon fiber cover tops off the chassis, a distinctive touch derived from decades of motorsports designs that value carbon fiber for its lightweight strength and extreme performance. Intel co-engineered this device, which falls within the Intel Evo platform verified models that meet key experience targets for consistent responsiveness on battery, instant wake, real-world battery life and fast charge [2]. The two covers are connected by a unibody hinge that slightly elevates the keyboard upon opening the notebook, improving cooling and creating a more ergonomic typing experience. Backlit keys provide convenient typing, even at night, and the glass precision touchpad provides multi-gesture support. Other features include: Dual-band Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), a full array of ports (USB-C, Thunderbolt 4 and USB3.2 Gen 2) and more secure fingerprint logins via Windows Hello, Modern Standby and Wake on Voice. The Porsche Design Acer Book RS premium package (i7 notebook, travelpack, mouse) will be available in North America starting at $1,999.99; in Europe, Middle East and Africa starting at 2,399 euros; and in China, starting at 19,999 RMB. The Porsche Design Acer Book RS will be available in North America starting at $1,399.99; in Europe, Middle East and Africa starting at 1,799 euros; and in China, starting at 14,999 RMB. To find out more about these and other devices, go to Acer. [1] Battery life claim based on MobileMark 2014. Actual battery life varies depending on product specifications, computer settings and applications or features launched. All batteries’ maximum capacity diminishes with time and use. [2] Verified, measured and tested against a premium specification and Key Experience Indicators as part of Intel's laptop innovation program Project Athena. Testing results as of August 2020, and do not guarantee individual laptop performance. Power and performance vary by use, configuration and other factors. For more complete information about performance and benchmark results, visit Intel.com/Evo. For all prices and availability: Exact specifications, prices and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com. Continue reading...

Today, I am sharing Microsoft’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion report, which comes at a time marked by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, amplified acts of racial injustice, and the reality of global uncertainty. This year’s report focuses on three core areas in addition to the data: the ways that diversity and inclusion is integrated into our employee pandemic response, our commitments to addressing racial injustice, and our investment in the Allyship at Microsoft learning path. The report also includes: For the first time, our data on the number of employees in the U.S. who self-identify as having a disability; An expanded look at our global equal pay data including 10 of the largest markets outside of the U.S.; A closer look at our Inclusion Index and the various ways we receive insights on how employees experience our efforts to strengthen our culture of inclusion; and A more global mix of employee voices and experiences across a range of communities, identities, and geographies. The data shows steady progress Microsoft started publicly sharing its annual workforce demographics in 2014. This year’s report reflects the trends and learnings over our five most recent demographic data disclosures. The following data reflects Microsoft only; it does not include our broader family of companies[1] (LinkedIn, GitHub, and our minimally integrated gaming studios), nor does it include new acquisitions and joint ventures. Diverse representation: Overall, we have seen some modest gains since 2019 including among women who now represent 28.6% of the global Microsoft workforce, an increase of 1.0 percentage point since last year. However, racial and ethnic minority communities have largely seen incremental progress and there is still much work to be done. Black or African American employees represent 9% of our U.S. workforce, up 0.3 percentage points since 2019. Hispanic and Latinx employees represent 6% of our U.S. workforce, up 0.3 percentage points since 2019. Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander employees represent 7% of our U.S. workforce, and this number has remained the same since last year. Asian employees, which include more than a dozen different ethnic groups, represent 7% of our U.S. workforce, an increase of 1.6 percentage points compared to 2019. We see clear opportunity to improve representation across all levels and roles, especially for Black and African American and Hispanic and Latinx employees. We are prioritizing our recent commitments to strengthen our intentional career planning and talent development efforts on the path to senior leadership. Black and African American employees are 9% of our U.S. workforce and 5.2% of individual contributors, but only 2.9% of managers, 2.6% of directors, and 2.9% of partners + executives. Hispanic or Latinx employees are 6% of our U.S. workforce and 6.8% of individual contributors, but only 5.4% of managers, 4.8% of directors, and 4.4% of partners + executives. For the first time this year, we are also including data on employees with disabilities, which provides us a benchmark for growth and an understanding of the opportunities ahead. According to a survey of Microsoft’s employees in the U.S., 1% self-identify as having a disability. Learn more about why we’re including this data and how it will guide us moving forward from Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie. Continuing to accelerate leadership and talent development, systems of accountability, and strengthening our culture of inclusion are in addition to the comprehensive work we already have underway. Our pandemic response When the COVID-19 pandemic started to rapidly shift how we live and work, it amplified differences in our lived experiences, revealing many social inequities that could previously remain hidden from work. When school closures and caregiving restrictions upended family dynamics and divisions of labor, we supported our workforce through caregiver leave programs, which gave all employees flexible time off to help manage remote learning transitions and balance care for loved ones. We also supported our employees through the transition to remote work by helping to cover costs of ergonomic office furniture and ensuring that everyone could access a variety of tools and resources to support mental well-being and mental health. Empathy for one another has been essential as we each navigate this challenging year and balance work life. Our commitments addressing racial injustice In June, our CEO Satya Nadella outlined our commitments to increase diversity in representation and strengthen our culture of inclusion within our company, engage our ecosystem to drive change, and strengthen the communities in which we live and work. These efforts, focused on addressing the unique experience of Black and African American communities in the U.S., include short- and long-term, multi-year, sustained actions to accelerate our diversity and inclusion work. We are early in our journey – only a quarter has passed since we shared our commitments, but our actions have been intentional and steadfast. While our representation goals span a five-year commitment, we are taking steps forward and wanted to share a few examples of our updates: In an effort to increase representation within our company and strengthen our culture of inclusion, we are expanding our internal programs for midlevel and director level employees, which provide opportunities for career advancement while also helping to support managers in nurturing diverse talent. This  builds on the work we have already established in career and talent development. As we look to  engage our ecosystem, we are working with partners in banking and business to create opportunities. One example is the Clear Vision Impact Fund, which we launched in partnership with Black-owned and operated Siebert Williams Shank Bank, with an initial $25 million anchor investment. The fund will support the growth and operating capital in small- and medium-sized businesses, with a focus on minority-owned businesses. To help strengthen our communities, in August we announced a community skills program that will provide $5 million in grants to nonprofits serving communities of color. We are also expanding the pipeline of diverse talent through ongoing work with Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs), and we have created a new grant program to help HBCU faculty advance their work around data and computer science. Our progress will be ongoing, and we will continue to provide our employees updates in our Town Hall and employee Q&As and on our intranet. We will also provide comprehensive updates on our progress in future annual diversity and inclusion reports. Understanding our investment in allyship At Microsoft, we believe everyone at every level plays a role in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, and that allyship behavior is key. An ally is someone who makes the intentional decision to understand, empathize, and act in support of someone else. It is not an identity – rather it is a lifelong commitment and practice. Grounded in neuroscience, the Allyship at Microsoft learning path helps us understand ourselves and encourages us to take responsibility for our individual learning. What started in July 2019 as a voluntary learning program has since evolved into a required training that provides our more than 160,000 global employees a shared language and understanding of the role we each play in creating a culture of inclusion. This is especially important for a global organization, and at a time when there are many interpretations in broader society of what allyship means. We are already seeing positive progress as our communities adopt the training: By September of this year, just two months after the first four introductory courses of the program were made mandatory for all core Microsoft employees, 24% – or more than 35,000 members of the workforce – had completed those modules. I encourage you all to read the full report to explore much more detailed data, insights, employee stories, initiatives and learnings. [1] For data on the broader Microsoft family of companies, please visit pages 9-11 of the report. The post Microsoft’s 2020 Diversity & Inclusion report: A commitment to accelerate progress amidst global change appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

The Windows 10 October 2020 Update has started to become available to customers as a free update. This year has continued to bring about change for many of us. Change in how we connect to one another, how we work, how we learn, even how we have fun. And that change is starting to feel more permanent, especially with kids going back to school adapting to remote learning and connection with their teachers and classmates or workplaces shifting to hybrid environments. Throughout all of this, the PC has become the essential device to keep us connected across our lives; it’s become our office, our classroom, even our playground. As we all adapt, live and learn through this together, one constant that remains is our commitment to you, our customers. We know you are counting on us, on Windows to stay connected to what matters. As part of this commitment, we’re pleased to share the features and improvements coming with the Windows 10 October 2020 Update, many of which are requested features from you to help make your experience on Windows even better. Some of the new features include the fan favorite shortcut Alt + Tab which now lets you access your Microsoft Edge tabs, a streamlined design for the Start menu and more. If you’re interested in learning how to get the update you can visit this blog post to learn more. Here’s what’s new in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update Microsoft Edge With this update comes the latest and greatest version of the new Microsoft Edge. Since launching back in January, we’ve seen phenomenal growth and we’re excited it’s included in this update. If you haven’t yet tried the new Microsoft Edge, you should launch it and try it out since we’ve built a better browser with more performance, more privacy and more value back while you browse. If you’re already using our new browser, then you’ve seen first-hand how fast it is and we’re adding great new features every six weeks. Try out Collections to easily save and share content you find online. It’s perfect for holiday shopping, school research and even planning next spring’s camping trip. And it works across PC and mobile so you’re always in sync. We’ve also added Price Comparison so you can easily find the best price when you add an item to a collection, just in time for holiday shopping. In fact, we’re proud to say Microsoft Edge is the best browser for shopping this holiday. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2020/10/W10_20H1_Laptop_Edge_Collections_Price-Comparison_16x9_en-US-1.gif With this update you also get these new, exclusive to Windows 10 features for Microsoft Edge: Alt + Tab = The quick way to access your apps and web tabs. With this handy keyboard shortcut not only can you easily access the apps you have open on your desktop, but now you can also access your open tabs in Microsoft Edge. All the tabs you were looking for. If you’re someone who likes the convenience of pinning your favorite websites to the taskbar, you’re going to love this new feature. Now when you hover over the website icon, you’ll see all the open tabs of that site. Refreshing updates from the Start menu to the Taskbar and more https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2020/10/Start_BeforeAfter_Light.gif A refreshing Start. The Start menu has a more streamlined design. A uniform, partially transparent background to the tiles creates a beautiful stage for the redesigned app icons like Calculator, Mail and Calendar. This refined Start design looks great in both dark and light themes, but if you’re looking for a splash of color, first make sure to turn on Windows dark theme and then toggle “Show accent color on the following surfaces” for “Start, taskbar, and action center” under Settings > Personalization > Color to elegantly apply your accent color to the Start frame and tiles. Smooth Settings. Settings continues to become a more robust place to access security and device details. Also, now when you go to Settings > System > Display, Advanced display settings, you can change the refresh rate of your display. A higher refresh rate allows for smoother motion of visuals, and depending on what kind of display or monitor you have, you may be able to really crank it up—makes for a great gaming experience. 2 in 1 toast elimination. 2-in-1 devices now naturally switch by default to the new tablet experience without the notification toast asking you to switch into the tablet mode when you detach the keyboard, helping to keep you in your flow. Noticeable notifications. New app logos at the top of notifications now make it much easier to identify who they are from. And the new “X marks the spot” lets you quickly click, close and get back at it. A Taskbar tuned to your liking. Getting a new Windows PC? You will enjoy a cleaner, more personalized, out-of-box experience featuring a taskbar specifically curated for you—less clutter and more content that you’ll love. (This experience is limited to new account creation or first logon scenarios.) Updates for commercial and education customers In addition to a smoother user experience, commercial and education customers also get enhanced security and management. Feature updates include more granular control in Mobile Device Management (MDM)1, stronger sign-in protection with enhanced sign-in security, and virtualization-based security for both Microsoft Edge and Office. Whether people are working or learning onsite or remotely, IT pros and end users will gain a simpler, more secure experience with the latest Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Education. Simpler device management. Mobile Device Management (MDM)1 now includes a Local Users and Groups policy that gives administrators the same options as on-premises Group Policy. More secure biometric sign on. With enhanced sign-in security2, Windows Hello3 now offers added support for virtualization-based security for certain fingerprint and face sensors, which protects, isolates and secures a user’s biometric authentication data. Stronger app protection. Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG)4 now helps protect Microsoft 3655 as well as Microsoft Edge with a unique hardware isolation strategy. WDAG keeps enterprise data protected by opening sites and Office files from untrusted sources in a virtualized container. https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2020/10/Commerical-07-06_Active_Waffle_Light_1920_web-1024x576.png Personalized tab page in the new Microsoft Edge. IT administrators can help employees, students and teachers personalize their new tab page with Microsoft 3655. Now, people can access their files and favorite Microsoft 365 apps more quickly just by opening a new tab in their browser. To learn more about what this update means for IT Pros, visit this blog post. We continue to believe that Windows is the most powerful, productive and secure place for each of us to do our best work, to have fun, learn and connect. We are excited to share the latest features coming as part of the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. We also want to say a big thank you to our community of Windows Insiders who have provided important feedback throughout the development process for this update. 1 Requires Azure AD or Microsoft 365. Sold separately. Learn more about Mobile Device Management, Mobile device management - Windows Client Management. 2 Enhanced sign-in security requires specialized hardware and software components that can be leveraged starting on devices shipping with Windows 10 October 2020 Update configured out of factory. Documentation will be available later this year. 3 For Windows Hello with biometrics specialized hardware, a fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor, or other biometric sensor is required. Hardware-based protection of the Windows Hello credential/keys requires TPM 1.2 or greater. If no TPM exists or is configured, credentials/keys protection will be software-based. Requires TPM 1.2 or greater for TPM based key protection. 4 For Windows 10 Enterprise only. 5 Requires Microsoft 365 E5 subscription; sold separately. Continue reading...

With organizations moving and adapting from remote to hybrid work scenarios, and essential workers continuing to support us all, it is more important than ever that we continue to provide you with the tools you need to remain protected and productive. In June, we announced Windows 10, version 20H2—and the availability of the first preview build in the Windows Insider Program. We then released a preview build to commercial customers in the Beta and Release Preview Channels for pre-release validation in August. We have continued to make improvements based on the feedback received through these programs and I am pleased to announce that we are beginning the availability of the October 2020 Update. Today's post offers details on our measured and phased roll out approach, how you can get the update, and information to enable commercial organizations to begin targeted deployments. Approach on update availability and rollout In this work, learn and connect from home environment where people are relying on their PCs more than ever before, we are taking a measured seeker-based rollout approach to the October 2020 Update. We are throttling availability over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience, so the update may not be offered to you right away. Additionally, some devices might have a compatibility issue for which a safeguard hold is in place, so we will not offer the update until we are confident that you will have a good update experience. How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update Beginning today, the October 2020 Update is available initially for users of select devices running Windows 10, version 1903 or later who are interested in experiencing the latest feature updates and are ready to install this release on their device. If you would like to install the new release, open your Windows Update settings (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select Check for updates. If the update appears, and you are running Windows 10, version 1903 or later, you can simply select Download and install to get started. Once the download is complete and the update is ready to install, we’ll notify you so that you can pick the right time to finish the installation and reboot your device, ensuring that the update does not disrupt your activities. People running the May 2020 Update will have a faster overall update experience because the update will install like a monthly update, just as it was for devices moving to Windows 10, version 1909 from version 1903. For more information on how to get the October 2020 Update, watch this video. To learn more about the status of the update availability and rollout, safeguard holds, and which holds may be applied to your device, visit the Windows release health dashboard. Information for commercial customers As a second half (H2) of the calendar year release, Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 will receive 30 months of servicing and support beginning today. We recommend that commercial organizations begin targeted deployments to validate that their apps, devices and infrastructure work as expected with the new release and innovations therein. To support this effort, Windows 10, version 20H2 is now available through Windows Server Update Services (including Configuration Manager), Windows Update for Business and the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)1. For more information about deployment options and the latest features for commercial customers, see ‘What’s new for IT pros in Windows 10, version 20H2.’ If you are curious about Windows Server, version 20H2, which was also released today, please refer to Windows Server documentation. The tools you need to do more and stay secure Our commitment remains on helping you remain protected and productive, both professionally and personally. The Windows 10 October 2020 Update offers an improved experience for tablet users and those seeking to personalize their taskbars, notifications and other settings. It is also the first Windows 10 release to include the new Microsoft Edge, built on Chromium, enabling you to create profiles for work, life and everything in between so that you can easily sync and switch profiles across devices. For a full recap of these and other improvements, see What’s new in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. As with each release, we will closely monitor the October 2020 Update experience and share timely information on the current rollout status and known issues (open and resolved) across both feature and monthly updates via the Windows release health dashboard and @WindowsUpdate. Please continue to tell us about your experience by providing comments or suggestions via Feedback Hub. Note: 1 It may take a day for downloads to be fully available in the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) across all products, markets and languages. Continue reading...

Today, Microsoft is taking the next giant leap in cloud computing – to space. I am excited to share the work we are doing to make Azure the platform and ecosystem of choice for the mission needs of the space community with Azure Space. The space community is growing rapidly and innovation is lowering the barriers of access for public- and private-sector organizations. With Azure Space we have ambition to make space connectivity and compute increasingly attainable across industries including agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and government. We have brought together a team of renowned space industry veterans to work alongside our world-class product engineers and scientists to build cloud capabilities that meet the unique needs of space. Our innovation areas include simulating space missions, discovering insights from satellite data, and fueling innovation both on the ground and in orbit. By partnering with leaders in the space community, we will extend the utility of our Azure capabilities with worldwide satellite connectivity, unblock cloud computing in more scenarios, and empower our partners and customers to achieve more. Fast, secure satellite networking anywhere in the world As the importance of data to society has increased, so too has the importance of reliable and diverse pathways for connectivity. Our global network of over 160,000 miles of subsea, terrestrial, and metro optical fiber helps billions of people connect all around the world. However, many of our customers also operate in remote, rugged environments and find it hard to keep pace with their increased need for access to data and bandwidth. Today, we are announcing partnerships which will provide exciting new networking capabilities as part of our Azure Space ecosystem. A thriving ecosystem of satellite providers is needed to meet the world’s growing network needs, and we are excited to partner with industry leaders to bring these capabilities to our customers faster. Our new partnership with SpaceX Starlink will provide high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband for the new Azure Modular Datacenter (MDC) Building on our existing Azure Orbital partnership with SES, we will support its O3B Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation O3b MEO, to extend connectivity between our cloud datacenter regions and cloud edge devices. https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/NEW-Microsoft_Azure_SatelliteDiagram_Updated_10.15.20.jpg Our approach is to supply a multi-orbit, multi-band, multi-vendor, cloud-enabled capability to bring comprehensive satellite connectivity solutions to meet the needs of our customers. Resilient satellite communications, coupled with Azure’s ability to provide high performance computing, machine learning, and data analytics opens many new opportunities for both public- and private-sector organizations. Our partnership approach to satellite communication solutions helps us bring these capabilities to customers faster to help solve their mission-critical space needs. These new connectivity partnerships bring more satellite capabilities alongside our recently announced Azure Orbital ground station service and existing ExpressRoute satellite provider partnerships with SES, Intelsat and ViaSat to help bring valuable customer data from geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites directly into Azure. To learn more about these partnerships and our approach to satellite connectivity, check out our Transform blog post: Azure Space partners bring deep expertise to new venture. A self-contained datacenter for the most challenging missions https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/prod/2020/10/Field-1024x576.png Many organizations are already taking advantage of cloud computing at the intelligent edge, with products like Azure Stack. We have made great leaps forward in piloting our datacenters in extreme environments, such as our Project Natick underwater datacenter research project. Building on these insights and input from our customers with the toughest mission requirements, the new Microsoft Azure Modular Datacenter (MDC) takes this edge capability even further. Microsoft designed the MDC to support high-intensity, secure cloud computing in challenging environments, such as situations where critical prerequisites like power and building infrastructure are unreliable. It is having Azure on your terms where you need it in a self-contained unit. The MDC provides organizations with capability to deploy a complete datacenter to remote locations, or to augment existing infrastructure with a field-transportable solution. The MDC can run primarily on terrestrial fiber, low-bandwidth networks, or be completely disconnected. The satellite connectivity add-on through our SATCOM partnerships provides MDC customers with accessibility and resiliency of essential hyperscale services into Azure. For more information about the Microsoft Azure Modular Datacenter, read our announcement blog: Introducing the Microsoft Azure Modular Datacenter. Preparing for space missions with the power of Azure As space missions and satellite capabilities become more accessible, we are developing reliable, repeatable digital technologies to help the space community launch faster and with mission assurance. The first of these is Azure Orbital Emulator. Commercial and government space organizations are developing thousands of interconnected satellite constellations which require precise planning and sophisticated AI-driven formation protocols, to ensure optimal networking connectivity and operational coverage on-orbit. Azure Orbital Emulator is an emulation environment that conducts massive satellite constellation simulations with software and hardware in the loop. This allows satellite developers to evaluate and train AI algorithms and satellite networking before ever launching a single satellite. Azure can emulate an entire satellite network including complex, real-time scene generation using pre-collected satellite imagery for direct processing by virtualized and actual satellite hardware. Azure Orbital Emulator is already being used by customers in our Azure Government environment. Continuing to innovate alongside the space community These new capabilities bring new opportunities to many organizations that already partner with Azure to innovate for space missions: The U.S Defense and Innovation Unit (DIU) chose Microsoft and Ball Aerospace to create more actionable space data and re-imagine ground station technology and build a solution demonstrating agile cloud processing capabilities in support of the U.S. Air Force’s Commercially Augmented Space Inter Networked Operations (CASINO) project. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor building Orion, has employed HoloLens 2 on a variety of assembly tasks for the spacecraft that will be used to support NASA’s Artemis program to carry humans to the Moon and beyond. Airbus uses Microsoft Azure Stack for agility, innovation, and competitive advantage to build and launch its aerospace solutions. Seequent, an environmental geoscience company, uses satellite data and Azure computational power to drive its critically important work to address water quality and quantity around the world. Seequent’s software solutions are used on hundreds of projects to enable a clear view of groundwater and contaminants. Land O’Lakes, one of the largest farmer-owned cooperatives, uses Azure FarmBeats to take advantage of satellite imagery, along with data from sensors, drones and farm equipment to enable data-driven agriculture. AI models using optical and multispectral imagery from satellites helps determine crop stress, predict yields, and enable the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. One giant leap… Our approach helps to address the some of the toughest technology challenges that our customers face in space: dealing with the vast amount of data generated from satellites, bringing cloud services and bandwidth to the most remote locations, and designing highly complex space systems. Coupled with our ecosystem of partners than can help bring this data to ground faster, we’re making it easier to find insights and make connections that weren’t possible before. We are ready to support customers on their space missions off and on the planet, and to use the power of cloud and space technology to help business across industries re-imagine solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems. The post Azure Space – cloud-powered innovation on and off the planet appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

Today is a big day for events at Microsoft. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced that Microsoft will be the technology partner for CES 2021, the organization’s first-ever, all-digital event, happening Jan. 11-14. It is an extreme honor for Microsoft to be selected as CTA’s technology partner for CES, the world’s most influential technology event. It won’t surprise you to hear we’re bringing Microsoft Cloud solutions, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Power Platform, together with partner solutions to create the technology platform for the all-digital event that will bring together the entire global tech community and be the CES 2021 experience. We are thrilled to be able to work side by side with the team from CTA. What I’m even more excited about personally, though, is the opportunity this will give us to share all that we’ve learned about digital events over the past many months as world circumstances have necessitated that we rethink everything we thought we knew about how to host a major event. My team knows how to put on a live event. So, it was devastating when we realized earlier this year in March that the events we had planned for 2020 could not go on – at least not as we had planned them. We’d already put a lot of work and preparation into getting ready for events like , which in a typical year sees people travel from all over the world to Seattle for several days of expertly produced keynote and breakout sessions. We had already started down the path to make events like that happen, and that path was now going nowhere. This was going to be hard, but this team was definitely up for the challenge. We lamented the events that wouldn’t be, but then immediately shifted our focus to reinventing those events anew. Every person gave it their all, rolled up their sleeves, and learned everything they could. In a few short months, our team went through what is probably years of transformation and growth. YouTube Video Click here to load media Since then, we’ve produced a dozen major Microsoft events, including all six of our flagship global conferences. At the same time, Microsoft has been collaborating with customers like the NBA, the NFL and iHeartMedia to help them bring a new level of connection to a world that has, for so many months, felt disconnected. Through all of it, we’ve been learning a ton! We’ve experimented and piloted ideas and new approaches to creating compelling and highly interactive experiences, and we’ve made significant strides in defining the elements of a successful virtual event. The most important learning – you cannot translate a live event into a digital format. You must remake the event entirely. If you can fundamentally embrace that notion, you are on the challenging, yet exciting, path to digital transformation. Our past live events were theatrical, with dynamic speakers on stage commanding a rapt audience. But the all-digital format requires something more cinematic. We now tailor our content to that format, and we have transformed from a live show production team, to a 24/7 television production network, complete with live anchors from around the world. This new direction required collaboration, hard work and a lot of humility. But the learning has not only been about the making of the shows themselves. We’ve also been surprised by the tremendous impact in terms of global reach and inclusivity. In 2019, 6,200 people joined us in Seattle for Build; this year, our virtual event had 197,000 attendees. At last year’s Build conference, 80 percent of attendees were from the United States. This year, 68 percent of attendees were from outside of the United States. And here’s my favorite: In 2019, 28 developers from the African continent were able to join us for Build. This year, we had 6,044 developers from across Africa join us. Remarkable. Just two weeks ago, we had 266,000 IT professionals join us from around the world for Microsoft Ignite. When we look back at the last six months, the opportunities these events have provided for increased learning, inclusivity, connectedness and accessibility for all our customers, partners, enthusiasts and employees around the world are inspiring. There is an immense appetite for these broad-reaching, digital-only events, and an immense potential for them to positively impact customer, partner and even employee relationships. And now, we cannot wait to apply all of our learnings to the creation of the CES 2021 experience. Being able to be a part of the first-ever, all-digital CES will be an amazing journey, and we’ll definitely learn a lot more as we continue on our path to master this new canvas of communication. The post Enabling the digital transformation of CES 2021 appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...