Tag: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft says Xbox is now the first ‘carbon aware’ console

Microsoft says Xbox is now the first “carbon aware” console brand.

In a broader blog post about its sustainability efforts in gaming, the company revealed a new console update that will schedule game, app and OS updates at specific times during the maintenance window to reduce carbon emissions. This means your console will awaken when it can use the most renewable energy in your local energy grid, which, in turn, can save you money.

This functionality is now available to Xbox Insiders across Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and will roll out to everyone in the future.

Additionally, Xbox consoles now automatically update to the energy-saving Shutdown power option, which reduces power consumption when your console is turned off. This adjustable setting cuts power use by up to 20 times versus when a console is in ‘Sleep’ mode. Citing calculations sourced from the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency, Xbox says that for every two consoles that switch to Shutdown for one year, they’ll save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by one tree planted and grown for a decade.

Meanwhile, Xbox Insiders will also see a new ‘Active hours’ setting. If you opt to continue using the ‘Sleep’ option, you can adjust your console’s active hours so it will only be available for remote wake during this time. During the inactive periods, it will only consume 0.5 W, vs. the 10-15 W it uses while awake.

You can view your console’s full range of energy consumption features by visiting Settings > General > Power options.

All of these features are part of Microsoft’s larger efforts to become a carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste company by 2030.

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft planning foldable display instead of dual-screen for Duo 3: report

Microsoft’s plans for the Surface Duo 3 reportedly include ditching the dual-screen design in favour of a foldable display and cover display design similar to other foldables, like the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

The details come from Windows Central, which cites sources “familiar with the company’s plans.” Moreover, the change came after Microsoft finalized a dual-screen Duo 3 design intended to ship at the end of 2023 — that design reportedly was scrapped and the Surface team is focusing on the new “true” foldable design.

Other details reported by Windows Central include that the Surface Duo 3 would sport a 180-degree hinge. Microsoft is also working on a larger software effort intended to help differentiate the Duo from other Android foldables. The software effort is reportedly called ‘Perfect Together’ and hopes to offer a similar level of integration between the Surface Duo and Windows PCs as you’d get with an iPhone and a Mac.

Moreover, Microsoft is reportedly interested in expanding it line of Android-powered smartphones and is looking at different form factors beyond foldables. Windows Central notes that nothing is set in stone, but apparently Microsoft has prototyped several traditional slab smartphone designs.

This news comes after Microsoft said that Surface Duo was still “important” to the Surface family amid questions about the Duo 2 going out of stock in several regions.

Source: Windows Central

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft reportedly experimenting with GPT in Word, PowerPoint and Outlook

It looks like Microsoft is jumping on the GPT bandwagon.

According to The Information, Microsoft has added an unknown version of OpenAI’s GPT technology to Word and is working on integrating it further. It’s also being experimented with other applications, including PowerPoint.

OpenAI’s GPT computer program makes up ChatGPT, a tool that answers user questions with detailed, written responses.

In Outlook, Microsoft is reportedly using the technology to improve search results, allowing users to find emails without using keywords. The organization is also reportedly looking at how the technology could reply to emails.

As pointed out by The Verge, one of the challenges Microsoft faces in incorporating GPT is inaccuracy and bias. Privacy is another issue, a factor The Information says Microsoft has been working to address.

Source: The Information Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft says Surface Duo is still ‘important’ despite Duo 2 stock issues

Microsoft claims it’s still committed to the Surface Duo line despite ongoing stock issues making it hard to find a Duo 2.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen this all play out before. Back in September, rumours suggested Microsoft had discontinued the Surface Duo 2 but the company said the Duo 2 was out of stock due to “supply constraints.” Moreover, Microsoft definitively said the Duo 2 hadn’t been discontinued and that the company would “continue to update and to innovate on this form factor.”

Fast forward a few months and Windows Central is back with reports that the Duo 2 is running out of stock in multiple regions. In Canada, the Surface Duo 2 page listes the device as “currently not available,” and the ‘Build your device’ button is greyed out. However, there’s another ‘Build your device’ link on the page that, when clicked, goes to a blank page that says “this product currently has no configurations available.” (Back in September, the ‘Glacier’ variant of the Duo 2 was in stock and discounted by $600).

Microsoft offered the following statement to Windows Central when questioned about the lack of Duo 2 availability:

“We are aware supply is currently falling short of demand in several markets. While we do not have inventory information to share at present, Surface Duo remains an important part of the Surface portfolio.”

Windows Central also noted that Microsoft wouldn’t confirm if it ended production for the Surface Duo 2. However, it certainly appears like Microsoft stopped production given the device isn’t available in several regions. Plus, the Duo 2 is over a year old now, likely making it a tougher sell to those looking for a foldable phone.

Alongside Microsoft’s statement that Duo is still an important part of the Surface family, Windows Central noted that its sources confirmed Microsoft is working on a “third generation” Surface phone running on Android. Unfortunately that was all that was shared about the new Surface phone.

While intriguing, I won’t be getting my hopes up about a new Surface phone just yet. Microsoft has a history of working on new products that never see release. For example, in July 2022, images of an unreleased mid-range Surface Duo emerged online. And need I mention the Surface Neo?

Source: Windows Central

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox Game Pass could be the next subscription service to get a cheaper ad tier

Microsoft has floated the idea of introducing a lower-cost, ad-supported membership for Xbox Game Pass.

In a new survey sent to some Spanish Xbox players, per Windows Central, the tech giant looked to gauge interest in a number of hypothetical less expensive Game Pass subscriptions.

One of the proposed memberships would be to pay a lower fee to get first-party Xbox games as much as six months later, a significant change from Game Pass’ current promise of day-one exclusives. An even cheaper tier could also introduce ads into the service, which would presumably play when a game is launched.

Interestingly, Windows Central notes that Microsoft recently patented a method to show personalized ads in games, which is curious timing considering the new survey.

It’s also worth noting that many streaming services have been introducing lower-cost, ad-supported memberships as a way to drive growth. In November, Netflix launched the $5.99 CAD/month ‘Basic with Ads’ subscription in Canada and other markets, while U.S. services like Disney’s Hulu, Warner’s HBO Max and NBC Universal’s Peacock also offering similar ad-enabled alternatives. Disney+ even just got an ad-supported option in the U.S. earlier this month, although it’s unclear if and when it will expand to Canada.

Given how Game Pass already draws inspiration from the on-demand nature of these streaming services, it’s easy to see how Microsoft might also be looking at how they’ve been handling ads. Of course, it’s important to stress that surveys and patents are not the same as an actual confirmation, so it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will go down this route.

For now, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said the price of Game Pass will inevitably go up, but not until next year at the earliest. The company has confirmed that the cost of first-party Xbox Series X/S games will also increase next year ahead of Starfield.

Source: Windows Central

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox’s Phil Spencer believes Sony maintains dominance ‘by making Xbox smaller’

Xbox head Phil Spencer recently sat down for a podcast and discussed the current landscape of the Activision Blizzard acquisition. During his time speaking with Second Request podcast, Spencer touched on Sony’s desire “to protect its dominance” in the console space. Spencer also believes “The way they grow is by making Xbox smaller.”

Microsoft and Sony are in direct opposition over the former’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. With a $68.9 billion USD (roughly $93.9 billion CAD) deal on the line and multiple blockbuster franchises in the mix, both are fighting to legitimize their arguments. Xbox largely hopes to bring IPs like Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo and Activision’s associated studios under its wing. Sony, afraid it may lose access to these games on its consoles, is fighting against Microsoft on the basis of being anti-competitive.

Microsoft is currently looking to appease regulators, especially authoritative bodies in the U.K. However, Sony has been combative throughout the process. “Sony is leading the dialogue around why the deal shouldn’t go through to protect its dominant position on console, so the thing they grab onto is Call of Duty,” Spencer states.

Call of Duty has largely been a focal point throughout this ordeal. The blockbuster franchise is currently a multi-platform juggernaut and one that PlayStation wants to ensure access to. Spencer has tried to appeal to Sony. Microsoft assures the company that Call of Duty will retain its positioning on PlayStation consoles. Spencer went as far as to offer access to Call of Duty for “at least several more years.” PlayStation head Jim Ryan publicly claims this offer is “inadequate on many levels.” Spencer then brought a 10-year offer to the table.

Sony has yet to accept or deny the offer. In a further attempt to prove its positioning against anticompetition, Microsoft offered the same deal to Nintendo, which wholeheartedly accepted. Similarly to what was offered to Valve and Steam, Call of Duty may potentially land on Nintendo hardware for the next decade if the deal goes through. However, it remains to be seen whether Sony will play ball with Microsoft or continue placing barriers.

“The largest console maker in the world raising an objection about the one franchise that we’ve said will continue to ship on the platform,” Spencer says.

U.K. regulators and Sony aren’t the only bodies fighting against Microsoft. Last week, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed its opposition against Microsoft’s acquisition. The EU, who is also looking into the deal, has a deadline of March 23rd, 2023 to finalize its investigation.

Image credit: Microsoft

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

I’ve spent over two years with the Surface Earbuds [Tech Revisited]

Tech reporters have the luxury of trying out new gadgets all the time. Unfortunately, the focus is often on what’s new, and after the initial review, there often isn’t much written about how products hold up over time. With that in mind, MobileSyrup wants to start revisiting some old tech we’ve used beyond that initial review period to see what holds up and what doesn’t. I’ll be kicking things off the Microsoft Surface Earbuds, which sound as good today as when I reviewed them in May 2020.

That said, when I reviewed the Surface Earbuds, I wrote that they don’t offer the best sound. That remains true — I could use a nice pair of over-ear headphones and get better sound quality. However, that applies to just about every pair of wireless earbuds. Over-ear headphones will almost always sound better thanks to the larger drivers, and wired headphones can go even further for those who want to take advantage of high-fidelity music.

But for me, the Surface Earbuds sound good enough to serve as my primary listening device. Aside from the headphones I use when gaming on my PC, the Surface Earbuds have been my go-to for listening to music and podcasts while working from home, travelling to the office on the train, and more.

Moreover, the battery life has held up well on the Surface Earbuds. In my initial review, I wrote that I could get five-and-a-half to six hours of listening on a charge. Honestly, I rarely use the earbuds for more than a few hours at a time these days. It’s not that the battery doesn’t last that long, I just find my ears start to get uncomfortable after a few hours (and the Surface Earbuds are among the more comfortable earbuds I’ve tried). I can usually wear headphones for longer, but that’s because they don’t sit in my ear like earbuds.

Similarly, the charging case has held up well, and beyond quite a few scratches, it still works great and keeps my earbuds topped up. I still wish it had wireless charging, but I don’t mind occasionally plugging in the charging case.

While some might not like spending $259.99 on wireless earbuds without noise cancellation, I’ve come to appreciate not having it over the last two years. I mostly use the Surface Earbuds while working at home or while commuting. When at home, usually, it’s quiet enough that I don’t need noise cancellation, and I appreciate being able to hear what’s going on around me in case someone needs to get my attention. While commuting, I also like hearing what’s going on around me while I’m walking, so I don’t miss my stop on the train. Sure, having the option to toggle on noise cancellation when I need it would be nice, but I haven’t felt like I needed it so far.

On top of all that, the Surface Earbuds lasted two-and-a-half years. I didn’t realize just how long that was until the other evening when a friend told me they were on their fourth pair of earbuds this year. Moreover, MobileSyrup editor-in-chief Patrick O’Rourke ran into noise cancellation issues with the first-gen AirPods Pro roughly six months after getting a pair, although that was a larger problem that Apple ultimately launched a replacement program for. While admittedly a small sample size, it struck me that I’ve used the Surface Earbuds for years and connected them to tons of smartphones and laptops without any issues.

Plus, the Surface Earbuds are still among the most unique earbuds available, save for maybe Samsung’s beans Galaxy Buds Live. I still get occasional comments from people over the Surface Earbuds because they kinda look like spacers in my ears.

Microsoft still sells the Surface Earbuds for $259.99 in ‘Glacier’ and the much cooler ‘Graphite.’

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft testing new screen recording tool for Windows 11

Microsoft will finally add a screen recording tool to Windows 11.

As reported by The Verge, Windows 11’s ‘Snipping Tool’ will soon get the ability to capture screen recordings as well as screenshots. That means Windows 11 users won’t need to use the Xbox Game Bar or third-party tools to accomplish the same goal. Beyond that, the Snipping Tool screen recorder should offer more features than the Game Bar.

That includes the ability to select a specific area of the screen to record (or just record the whole screen), whereas Xbox Game Bar lets users record specific apps. While helpful, the Game Bar approach gives users less control over what gets recorded.

Image credit: Microsoft (via The Verge)

The Verge notes that Microsoft is only just starting to test the updated Snipping Tool with Windows 11 testers in the Dev Channel. That means it could be a few weeks or months before the update makes its way to stable Windows 11. Regardless, that the feature is in the works is good news.

This update to the Snipping Tool comes roughly four years after Microsoft broke the ‘Screen Sketch‘ feature bundled with Windows Ink in Windows 10 out into a separate app for taking screenshots. It’s a surprisingly useful screenshot tool that you can access by pressing ‘Windows + Shift + S’ on your keyboard (you can also rebind the printscreen key to activate Snipping Tool).

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

FTC opens suit against Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision Blizzard

The Federal Trade Comission (FTC) has officially filed a suit in order to attempt and halt Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This raises new hurdles as Microsoft’s $68.7 billion USD (roughly $93 billion CAD) deal is already seeking approval from regulators.

The FTC is filing its suit after months of investigations. The commission believes that the acquisition would “enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription content and cloud-gaming business.” Since Microsoft announced its plans to acquire the Call of Duty and Overwatch publisher, anticompetitive concerns have surfaced.

“Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals,” Holly Vedova, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, says in a statement. “Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.”

Microsoft has been facing pushback throughout the year as it seeks approval from regional regulators. Sony, one of Microsoft’s biggest competitors, argues that the acquisition may unfairly tip the scales in the industry. With blockbuster IPs like Call of Duty, Overwatch, Candy Crush, and more laying in the balance, U.K. regulators have been investigating the deal. Pressure from the FTC only increases the hurdles presented currently.

We continue to believe that our deal to acquire Activision Blizzard will expand competition and create more opportunities for gamers and game developers,” Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president said in a statement. “We have been committed since Day One to addressing competition concerns, including by offering earlier this week proposed concessions to the FTC. While we believe in giving peace a chance, we have complete confidence in our case and welcome the opportunity to present it in court.”

Microsoft has shown a willingness to quell concerns over IP exclusivity. With Call of Duty’s presence on Sony’s PlayStation hardware in question, Microsoft has attempted to appeal to Sony and the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Most recently, Microsoft attempted to offer Sony a 10-year deal, securing access to Call of Duty on PlayStation hardware. Sony has not accepted the offer at this current point. This offer has also been agreed upon by both Nintendo and Valve.

Since publishing its statement, Activision Blizzard executive Lulu Cheng Meservey provided a statement. On Twitter, Meservey wrote, “This vote departs from precedent but the law hasn’t changed.” She continues, “Any claim the deal is anticompetitive ignores facts; the deal benefits gamers and the industry, especially given competition from abroad.”

Activision Blizzard is currently under investigation for reports of workplace harassment and “frat boy culture.” Likewise, CEO Bobby Kotick is also under investigation following allegations that he was aware of such acts and decided not to make meaningful changes.

Image credit: Microsoft

Source: @FTC Via: CNBC

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft reportedly wants to build a ‘super app’ to get people using Bing

Microsoft reportedly plans to make a ‘super app’ for iPhone and Android that brings a ton of the company’s services into one spot. The plan is reportedly part of an effort to compete better in the mobile search space.

The details come from The Information (via 9to5Mac), which explained that Microsoft wants to “emulate a mobile strategy that has worked for Tencent,” referring to the company’s WeChat app. WeChat, for the uninitiated, is an extremely popular messaging platform in China that combines other features, like shopping, news, and games, in one place.

The Information reports that Microsoft considered building a similar super app that “could combine shopping, messaging, web search, news feeds and other services in a one-stop smartphone app.” The publication goes on to describe the plans:

“[It] would be an ambitious move by the software giant to expand further into consumer services, according to people with direct knowledge of the discussions. Microsoft executives wanted the app to boost the company’s multibillion-dollar advertising business and Bing search, as well as draw more users to Teams messaging and other mobile services.”

However, The Information also said it wasn’t clear if Microsoft will actually launch the app. At the very least, it appears to be something the company has considered internally.

9to5Mac adds more details about how the app could be a way to combat Google’s search dominance. Currently, Google is the default search engine on Android devices and on Apple’s iPhone, something Google pays a lot of money for. The Information notes that Microsoft has previously bid on becoming the default search engine but ultimately lost to Google.

Of course, Microsoft isn’t the only company hoping to make a successful super app. Elon Musk, who currently spends his days lighting fires at recently-acquired Twitter and then blaming activists for anything that gets burnt, has repeatedly expressed interest in creating “X, the everything app.” Musk described X as a digital town square that can handle payments and suggested it could be like WeChat.

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft can make a super app and if it will gain traction among users. Arguably, making the app is the easier of the two pieces since gaining traction among users means getting people to willingly use Bing, something Microsoft historically hasn’t done successfully.

Source: The Information Via: 9to5Mac