Microsoft
The latest news and reviews of Microsoft hardware, software and accessories.
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Microsoft's wireless Surface Headphones are all about Cortana
Lots of the news from Microsoft's Surface event leaked ahead of time, but we didn't necessarily expect to see these new Surface Headphones today. As you might expect, the main draw here is that Cortana is on board and easily accessible, but there are some other impressive specs here as well. Microsoft went with over-the-ears design which offers active noise cancellation; the company says it has 13 levels of noise cancellation all told. There are four beam-forming mics and four active noise cancelling mics as well as 40mm drivers.
Windows 10 will soon mirror your Android phone screen on your PC
Never mind running mobile apps on a PC -- Microsoft wants you to see your phone's particular apps on a PC. At the company's Surface event, mobile general manager Shilpa Ranganathan previewed a Windows 10 feature that would mirror your phone's entire screen on the desktop. You could see and reply to a Snapchat conversation without having to reach for the device on your desk. It's not certain when this will be available (it's not part of Windows 10's October Update), but it's likely to be Android-only. It's certainly a practical addition if you're tired of switching devices just to keep up with every social network you use.
The next Windows 10 update is focused on your phone
With the last Windows 10 release, in April, Microsoft introduced Timeline, a new way to keep track of what -- and when -- you're working on specific files and websites. Now the company is gearing up to bring the benefits of Timeline to your Android and iOS devices with the October Windows 10 update, which is available for direct download today. (It's coming to Windows Update next week.) Integration with smartphones is the broader trend with this release -- Microsoft is also finally debuting the Your Phone app, which lets you transfer files and handle text messages from Android devices on your PC.
Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 packs a 2TB SSD and improved display
In 2016, Microsoft unveiled its first all-in-one desktop, the Surface Studio, which was geared towards professionals and creatives and sported a huge touchscreen. Now, it's getting a bit of a refresh, and Microsoft gave a look at what the new Surface Studio has to offer during its Surface event today.
Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 puts quad-core CPU power in a thin tablet
While the Surface line has been a leader in the convertible device market, competition is coming from all angles, including Lenovo's Yoga line, Apple's iPad Pro and even the leather HP Spectre Folio that was just unveiled. Last year's Surface Pro brought refinement to Microsoft's top-of-the-line convertible device, while staying incredibly light with great battery life. Now it's time for a refresh and the Surface Pro 6 comes with updated 8th generation Intel Core CPUs combined with up to 16GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD all wrapped in black, blue, red or "platinum" grey. As shown by the leak earlier, it's sticking with same charging connector and USB 3.0 ports (no USB-C here). The design hasn't changed much, keeping that ubiquitous hinge and Surface Pen close by, and it's sticking to a 3:2 aspect ratio that helps maintain usefulness as a tablet. The 2,736 x 1,824 12.3-inch display is improved, at 267ppi and -- according to Panos Panay -- the best contrast ratio they've ever achieved. There's also an 8.0MP HD rear-facing camera to go with its 5MP / 1080p front-facing camera used for Windows Hello and video calls.
Live from Microsoft's Surface launch event
It's time for Microsoft's next batch of Surface devices! We're live in NYC at the company's launch event, where we're expecting to hear more about a refreshed Surface Pro, Laptop and Book. And judging from this afternoon's leak, it looks like we'll see a black Laptop and Surface Pro. (Check out our full preview here.) But who knows, maybe we'll actually get the rumored dual-screen Surface, code-named "Andromeda." Just don't hold your breath for a Surface Phone. The event begins at 4 PM Eastern! Check back for updates then. Unfortunately, you won't be able to stream this event live.
Leak reveals black Surface Laptop and Surface Pro
Those rumors of black Surface devices at Microsoft's impending October 2nd event might have some merit. WalkingCat (a historically good source of Microsoft scoops) has posted what appears to be a leaked press image showing matte black versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, along with what's likely a refreshed Surface Studio. The leak doesn't include specs or any other details. All the devices look similar to their existing counterparts apart from the new hue, though, reinforcing claims that these would be spec bumps rather than major revisions.
What Microsoft might unveil at its Surface event (and what it should)
Microsoft's Surface lineup has gone from being a messy, nearly unusable experiment to some of the best PCs on the market. The Surface and Surface Pro helped popularize the idea of hybrid tablet PCs -- so much so that even Apple is trying to mimic it with the iPad Pro. The Surface Book proved a convertible workstation could take on the MacBook Pro. And the Surface Studio showed there's even room to innovate with an all-in-one machine. Even the Surface Laptop, the most traditional PC Microsoft has built, manages to stand out in the increasingly crowded ultraportable market. (There's also the upcoming Surface Hub 2, which looks like it could be a group-teleconferencing screen you'd actually want to use.)
Surface Pro and Surface Laptop may only receive simple spec bumps
We hope you weren't expecting major overhauls of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop at Microsoft's October 2nd event -- you might be disappointed. Sources for WinFuture have claimed that both the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 (not necessarily their actual names) will largely represent spec bumps. They'll be available in black in higher-end configurations, but the design would otherwise be unchanged -- and that would leave you without USB-C for yet another year. That could be particularly frustrating if you have a USB-C smartphone or other modern peripherals, especially when the Surface Go and Surface Book 2 do have the newer connector.
Meet 'Minecraft: Dungeons,' an adventure game with online co-op
The new game from Mojang answers the eternal question, what if Minecraft and Gauntlet had a baby? Minecraft: Dungeons is a brand-new game inspired by classic dungeon crawlers like Wizardry and Ultima Underworld, and it turns the series' traditional formula on its head. Instead of providing a vast, open canvas where players can let their imaginations run wild, Dungeons is an adventure game filled with discrete quests, characters, items and enemies. It still looks like classic Minecraft fare, complete with cube-headed characters and 3D swords with jagged, pixelated blades.
Silicon Valley’s Brett Kavanaugh problem
As we steel ourselves to careen numbly toward whatever new horrors lay in store with Trump, his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh, and the conservative politicians willing to help them, it's impossible not to contemplate how deep and depraved the culture of silence actually goes here. USA Today wrote: "When Kavanaugh gave a speech in 2015 at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law and stated, 'What happens at Georgetown Prep stays at Georgetown Prep. That's been a good thing for all of us, I think,' he summed up the culture perfectly (...) It was their job to protect each other from their misdeeds no matter how big or alcohol-fueled. The boys kept each other's secrets."
VW and Microsoft team up on cloud services for connected cars
VW's strategy for smarter cars extends beyond creating a single OS for its cars. It wants unified internet services, too. To that end, it's teaming up with Microsoft to build the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud and provide internet features that are consistent across models -- including when you're outside your car. While the two companies haven't delved into the exact features (it's still early going), they envision a scenario where you could resume listening to music when you enter your car, or hop on a conference call while you're commuting to the office. You could also expect tight connections to VW's We services, like car sharing.
SwiftKey for Android now offers real-time message translation
Microsoft has brought its Translator to SwiftKey, allowing users to translate their conversations without having to leave the app they're in. With an update out today, SwiftKey for Android will translate incoming and outgoing messages in real time and it will be able to do so for over 60 languages. Additionally, while you won't need to install Microsoft Translator to be able to use the new SwiftKey feature, the company says translation will work offline if you do.
Microsoft will end support for classic Skype in November
Microsoft's reprieve for classic Skype users didn't last long. In an update to its earlier blog post, the Skype team revealed that it will end Skype 7 support for desktop users on November 1st, and mobile users on November 15th. These older versions might keep working "for a little while," but the developers suggest that you upgrade to Skype 8 to avoid any disruptions.
Microsoft's Surface is back in Consumer Reports' good graces
Microsoft's Surface PCs have regained Consumer Reports' "recommended" status after the organization conducted reliability evaluations by surveying its members. Based on its latest study, most of the magazine's subscribers now find the laptops' predicted reliability "on-par with most other laptop brands" listed in the survey. The new criteria might have something to do with it -- apparently, this is the first year that brand reliability and owner satisfaction are being factored into overall scores -- though the organization didn't say that outright.
Xbox One mouse and keyboard support is coming with Razer's help
Yes, the rumors were true. Microsoft has confirmed that it's weeks away from adding mouse and keyboard support to the Xbox One (initially for Insiders), and it's enlisting some help from none other than Razer. The gaming-oriented brand will provide the "best possible" experience for input on the console, Microsoft said. There aren't many details as to what that entails (a November 10th Inside Xbox episode will share more), but an earlier Windows Central leak hinted at Chroma RGB lighting compatibility and touted the Turret lapboard as a solution for living room gaming.
Microsoft releases Office 2019 for Mac and Windows
Just because Microsoft is bent on moving everyone to cloud-based subscriptions doesn't mean it has forgotten about those who want a one-and-done purchase. The company is rolling out Office 2019 for Mac and Windows, giving you a "subset" of the upgrades that have come to Office 365 ProPlus in the past three years. They're not revolutionary, but they could be helpful if you've stuck to Office 2016 or earlier releases.
Microsoft merges search across Windows 10, Office, Edge and Bing
Amid hardware updates and other announcements at Ignite 2018 Monday, Microsoft said it's releasing a string of new features to boost productivity, including one major change that will affect how you find what you're looking for. The company is unifying search across Windows 10, Office, Edge and Bing in Microsoft Search. The search box will live in a "consistent, prominent place" across the apps, the company said.
Microsoft’s AI tech will aid humanitarian efforts
Microsoft is offering up its AI technology to those working on humanitarian efforts around the world. Over the next five years, its AI for Humanitarian Action program will put $40 million towards initiatives focused on four priorities -- disaster response, needs of children, refugees and displaced people and human rights. "We believe that technology, like artificial intelligence combined with cloud technology, can be a game changer, helping save more lives, alleviate suffering and restore human dignity by changing the way frontline relief organizations anticipate, predict and better target response efforts," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post.
YubiKey 5’s FIDO2 support will help you ditch passwords entirely
If you're looking to ditch passwords altogether, then Yubico has some good news for you. The company touts its new YubiKey 5 series as the first to support FIDO2, a standard that allows you to lose passwords entirely. It's been recently supported by Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.
