Tag: Microsoft

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Windows 8.1 users will get notifications next month about end of support

Microsoft is prepping reminders to send to Windows 8.1 users that the company will end support for the operating system (OS) on January 10th, 2023.

Those still using Windows 8.1 will start receiving notifications next month about the impending January shutdown. The Verge reports that the notifications will be similar to ones Microsoft sent out before, such as when it reminded Windows 7 users about the end of support.

Further, Microsoft doesn’t plan to offer an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. Microsoft typically offers ESU programs so businesses can pay to extend support for older operating systems until they can move to a newer version. Any businesses still using Windows 8.1, however, won’t have that option.

It’s worth noting that Windows 8.1 arrived largely as a ‘fix’ for Windows 8, which had alienated users with its mobile-first focus. Windows 8.1 brought back features like the Start button and undid some of the bolder changes introduced in Windows 8. Microsoft ultimately returned to a more traditional Windows experience with Windows 10, while the new Windows 11 stripped out some of the last vestiges of Windows 8 (like Live Tiles in the Start menu) and worked to modernize some of the operating system’s ancient foundations.

Microsoft originally ended support for Windows 8 in 2016 after the launch of Windows 10 in 2015.

Unfortunately for those still rocking Windows 8.1, there are limited options for what to do come January 2023. In a support note about the impending end of support, Microsoft admitted that most Windows 8.1 PCs “will not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11.” This is due largely to new, strict CPU requirements Microsoft added with Windows 11.

Instead, the likely update path for Windows 8.1 users will be Windows 10. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that Microsoft only plans to support Windows 10 until October 2025. In other words, it may not make sense to upgrade to an OS that will only stick around for another couple of years. The other alternative is buying a new PC with Windows 11, which also isn’t ideal.

And while Microsoft doesn’t mention it, there’s always Linux for those tech-savvy enough to make the switch.

For more information about the impending end of support for Windows 8.1, check out this Microsoft support document.

Source: Microsoft Via: The Verge

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Software engineer says RIP to Internet Explorer with an actual gravestone

A gravestone created for the now-dead web browser, Internet Explorer, has gone viral.

South Korean software engineer at Microsoft, Jung Ki-Young, ordered a headstone that took a month to design and receive, according to Reuters. Costing 430,000 KRW (about $433 CAD), the headstone features the well-known Explorer “e” logo followed by an English epitaph that reads, “He was a good tool to download other browsers.”

To celebrate the browser’s 27-year run, Ki-Young and his brother placed the memorial at a cafe in South Korean city Gyeongju.

As of June 15th, Microsoft now redirects Internet Explorer users to Microsoft Edge.

Image credit: Jung Ki-Young

Sources: Reuters

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Microsoft Teams sound quality improved with AI

Microsoft has unveiled that it’s bringing improved sound quality to Microsoft Teams through new AI features.

These features include echo cancellation to cut out unnecessary noise from speakers, making audio clear when multiple users talk at the same time, ‘de-reverberation’ to suppress reverberated sound in a room, interruptibility for more natural conversations through two-way audio transmission, and enhanced background noise suppression.

According to Robert Aichner, a principal program manager for intelligent conversation and communications cloud at Microsoft, 30,000 hours of speech training samples were analyzed to train the AI  to suppress unwanted audio (via The Verge).

In addition, Microsoft has also added video quality improvements like real-time screen optimization for text quality, AI-based improvements to bandwidth constraints and brightness/focus filters.

Microsoft says it will release these video and audio improvements to Teams Windows and Mac/iOS users in the “coming months.”

A future release is also planned for Teams’ Android and web clients.

Image Credit: Microsoft

Sources: Microsoft Via: The Verge 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

How to watch the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase on June 12th

On June 12th, Microsoft is hosting the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. The virtual event is being held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles and begins at 1 PM ET/ 10 AM PT.

Although E3 is not officially happening this year, Microsoft is holding its annual conference. Designed to show off first-party titles the event will also show off games from third-party partners. This is the second year since the Bethesda acquisition. Thus ZeniMax Media studios are folded into the Xbox Game Studios umbrella.

The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase is expected to run between 60 to 90 minutes. Like previous years, we can surmount that Microsoft will offer updates on previous games. The likely suspects this year are Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5. 343 Industries has been providing a clearer roadmap for Halo Infinite Season 2 and 3. The Xbox showcase could give us a look at the upcoming campaign co-op. Additionally, Forza Horizon 5’s success undoubtedly hints that meaningful DLC could be in the works.

While fans were extraordinarily excited for the imminent release of Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield and Redfall from Arkane, both have been pushed back to the “first half of 2023.” That said, the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase is the best place for Microsoft to debut new footage and perhaps gameplay. If both will be missing the summer and fall, seeing something new will have to tide fans over for the time being.

On top of that, you have known quantities. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, State of Decay 3, Fable, Everwild, Indiana Jones, and Perfect Dark could all make an appearance. While a few of these titles may show up in some capacity, most seem like they are at least another year or so away from launch.

That being said, the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase should offer some surprises and exciting moments, keeping the E3 spirit alive. If you’re eager to tune in, you can watch the event on the Xbox YouTube channel, the Bethesda YouTube channel, or Xbox’s Twitch channel.

Image credit: Xbox

Source: Xbox Wire

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Microsoft expands Xbox Design Lab with new gamepad colours, side caps and more

Microsoft has revealed that it’s expanding the customizable controller Xbox Design Lab with several new “pastel” colours, including ‘Soft Pink,’ ‘Soft Orange,’ ‘Soft Green’ and ‘Soft Purple.’

Along with the new top case colours, the Design Lab will now offer several different side cap hues, including ‘Mineral Camo,’ ‘Arctic Camo,’ ‘Forest Camo,’ ‘Sandglow Camo’ and ‘Blaze Camo.’

The Xbox Design Lab is also making its way to 11 new countries: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Switzerland and Taiwan later this year.

Alongside this news, Microsoft also confirmed that it’s releasing an Xbox Cloud Gaming app on Samsung Smart TVs and a demo of titles for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

Xbox Design Lab custom controllers start at $84.99.

Along with this reveal, Microsoft also confirmed that it’s releasing an Xbox Cloud Gaming app on Samsung smart TVs and monitors and demos of titles for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

Image credit: Microsoft

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Microsoft is adding new Xbox Cloud Gaming integrations to Edge on desktop

Microsoft has revealed that several new gaming-focused features are coming to the desktop version of its Edge web browser.

First off, a new personalized gaming home page that includes gaming news, guides, livestreams and more will be added alongside the Xbox Cloud Gaming library and recently played titles. The tech giant is also adding a “built-in clarity boost” that aims to make cloud-based gameplay look sharper over Xbox Cloud Gaming on Edge and Windows.

Further, a new Games menu in Edge will be home to several casual arcade titles like Microsoft Solitare, Atari Asteroids, Microsoft Jewel and more.

Microsoft is also launching a new Windows 11 HDR calibration app, a controller bar that lists recently played games and shortcuts to launchers. Finally, the company says that it’s also working to better optimize titles with improved Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support in Windows 11.

Along with this reveal, Microsoft also confirmed that it’s releasing an Xbox Cloud Gaming app on Samsung smart TVs and monitors and demos of titles for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

Image credit: Microsoft

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Xbox GoldenEye 007 remaster could be coming soon after Achievements spotted

A potential GoldenEye 007 remaster could be on the way after ‘Achievements’ for the game appeared on Xbox’s website.

The fully functioning page where the Achievements appeared is still available and was first discovered by insider @Wario64. The tweet reveals several detailed Achievements, hinting that the long-rumoured and often-leaked reboot of the 1997 N64 classic could be finally coming to Xbox consoles.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Microsoft has attempted to release a remake of the classic console FPS. Several years ago, an updated version of Rare’s GoldenEye 007 was reportedly supposed to release on the Xbox 360’s Live Arcade but was scrapped due to licensing issues. However, a playable version of the game leaked online back in February 2021.

More recently, the Centre of Computing History built a way to the play the iconic game’s multiplayer mode on individual screens.

As for the GoldenEye 007 Xbox remakes release, it’s still unclear when the game might be officially revealed. It’s likely Microsoft could finally show off the game during its Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase on June 12.

Image credit: @Wario64

Source: Xbox Via: @Wario64, IGN

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Microsoft announces Surface Laptop Go 2, preorders starting today in Canada

Microsoft has announced the Surface Laptop Go 2, a follow-up to its Surface Laptop Go from 2020. The new device iterates on the company’s vision of a sleek, mobile PC fit for work, school, and more. Orders begin shipping on June 7th in the United States.

Since the original Surface Laptop Go, Microsoft has been developing a new take on the Surface Go’s portable format that includes support for ‘Instant On’ and ‘Windows Hello’ through the device’s fingerprint reader found on the power button.

In addition, the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a 3:2, 12.4-inch PixelSense touch display. Microsoft states that the new device weighs only 2.48lbs and a Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor powers it. As far as the camera the Surface Laptop Go 2 features, Microsoft is using a 720p HD f2.0 camera.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 also has a focus on sustainability. Microsoft integrates numerous replaceable components including the C-Cover for keysets and trackpad. The AB cover of its display and battery are also incorporated for sustainable efforts. Plus, Microsoft offers an SSD and Surflink cable to be used with the Surface Go 2.

From a battery life perspective, Microsoft claims the device has a 13.5-hour lifespan on a single charge. Plus, the battery takes “just over an hour” to charge up to 80 percent.

At launch, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is available in four colour variants: ‘Sage,’ ‘Ice Blue,’ ‘Sandstone’ and ‘Platinum.’ Each hue appears to be very sleek and subtle.

Pre-orders begin in select markets today, including Canada and the U.S. Orders begin shipping on June 7th. Microsoft lists the Surface Laptop Go 2 for $739.99. 

Image credit: Microsoft

Source: Microsoft

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Long-abandoned Xbox Snap feature not expected to ever return

Microsoft all but confirms that its Xbox Snap feature is unlikely to ever return to consoles. The feature was once a standout during the early Xbox One days but has since been sunsetted.

On Twitter, a user under the guise of @DjSammyV wrote to Xbox engineering lead Eden Marie, requesting to see Xbox bring Snap back. Marie wrote back and provides a seemingly concrete future to the once-beloved feature. “While we all miss snap, I don’t think it’s coming back,” Marie says in her response.

Xbox One launched with the Snap feature. This picture-in-picture mode enabled users to pin an app to the side of the screen while they played a game. For example, serious Achievement hunters would take advantage of Snap and have the Achievement app open, tracking progress. Alternatively, Snap enabled users to check out a live stream on Twitch while playing games at the same time.

Microsoft later abandoned Snap in 2017. At that time, the Xbox One saw a huge refresh in the overall UI. The Xbox dashboard was also cleaned up at that time. This same framework can be seen on the Xbox Series X/S today.

Unfortunately, the Xbox Snap did not make it through that refresh. The company previously attributes its retirement to the desire to improve the Xbox’s speed and resources.

Snap was never a widely adopted feature. That said, those who found a use for it were saddened at the time. Personally, I still wish it was a feature available now on current-gen systems. Though, judging by Marie’s statement, these wishes are likely futile.

Source: @neonepiphany Via: Eurogamer

Categories
Mobile Syrup

New Microsoft patent envisions a crease-less foldable display

A new patent filed by Microsoft reveals that the company is moving away from the Surface Duo’s dual-screen design, and instead, focusing on a design that would eliminate hinges.

Unlike the Surface Duo, which has two displays conjoined by a hinge, the new patent reveals that the company is working on a single flexible panel that allows for 360-degree motion, both inwards and outwards — something we haven’t seen done before.

However, we have seen the technology before. Back in September 2021, LG showed off its ‘Real Folding Window’ display that the company claimed is as durable as glass yet as flexible as plastic, and avoids fold creases, whereas Samsung has something similar brewing in the form of Flex G and Flex S panels.

Image credit: Freepatentsonline

According to Microsoft’s patent, the display works by utilizing “configurations of foldable glass with a backplate comprising backplate slots that facilitate folding while avoiding mechanical creases,” the bane of foldable devices’ existence.

Such a design can easily propel Microsoft’s eventual Surface Duo 3 to be the best out of the foldable bunch, at least in the screen department. “Display devices of the present disclosure can freely rotate through various angles and orientations while also exhibiting substantially uniform and smooth surfaces in various folded and flat orientations to provide a pleasing and high-quality appearance and feel to a user,” reads the patent.

It’s worth noting that the patent only describes the mechanism, and how Microsoft envisions the foldable design to work. The company didn’t talk about the actual display panel or whether it will develop one itself or employ LG or Samsung’s panels. Additionally, since this is just a patent application, don’t expect a new foldable from Microsoft using this technology to pop up any time soon.

Check out the patent for yourself here.

Source: Freepatentsonline, Via: AndroidAuthority