WebProNews

Tag: Windows

  • Microsoft Is Taking a ‘Principled Approach’ to Changing Default Apps

    Microsoft Is Taking a ‘Principled Approach’ to Changing Default Apps

    Microsoft is going to make it much easier for users to change their default apps, adopting a “principled approach.”

    Microsoft’s latest versions of Windows have disappointed and angered users by making it unnecessarily difficult to change the default web browser and other apps. In fact, when Windows 11 first dropped, changing the default browser required changing the default handler for each and every file type web browsers normally handle.

    While Microsoft eventually changed its stance and made it easier to change the default web browser, the company is taking it a step further.

    “Today we’re reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience and to empower developers to take advantage of our open platform,” write Tali Roth & Aaron Grady.

    “We want to ensure that people are in control of what gets pinned to their Desktop, their Start menu and their Taskbar as well as to be able to control their default applications such as their default browser through consistent, clear and trustworthy Windows provided system dialogs and settings.”

    The company is adding a new option in the Settings app that will allow users to set their preferred apps.

    Microsoft App Preference Settings – Credit Microsoft

    “For defaults, we will soon introduce a new Settings deep link URI for applications to take their users directly to the appropriate location in Settings for the user to change their defaults,” Roth and Grady add. “This is an extension to our existing ms-settings: URI scheme. Learn more about ms-settings: URI schemes.”

    It’s nice to see Microsoft listening to user feedback and making it easier for people to use the apps of their choice.

  • Microsoft Is Bringing iMessage to Windows

    Microsoft Is Bringing iMessage to Windows

    Microsoft plans to bring iMessage support to Windows 11 via Phone Link for iOS, although it will have some limitations.

    Apple’s iMessage is a defining characteristic of the iPhone experience, one that has caused no small amount of frustration for users of other platforms. Given the number of features iMessage includes, Apple is aggressively protective of the messaging platform, viewing it as one of its most valuable elements that keep customers locked into its walled garden.

    Microsoft plans on bringing one of the best features of iMessage to Windows. Apple customers have long been able to send and receive iMessages from their Macs, and now Windows users will be able to as well.

    Microsoft is rolling out the feature to Windows Insiders, although it will have some major limitations in its current form.

    Once the guided installation completes and your iPhone is paired to your PC and the right permissions given, Phone Link will deliver basic iOS support for calls, messages, and contacts. This means you will be notified directly through your Windows notifications. Phone Link does not support replying to group messages or sending media in messages.

    Apple has been under increasing pressure to adopt RCS messaging for iPhone-to-Android communication, a measure that would have no impact on iPhone-to-iPhone communication, but would significantly improve cross-platform messaging.

    Unfortunately, Apple has no interest in pursuing such a course, but other companies are working to solve the issue without Apple’s help. Sunbird is working on a messaging app that will bring full iMessage support to Android, and now Microsoft is bringing at least some support to Windows.

    Hopefully, Microsoft and others will be able to address this issue sooner rather than later and eliminate a major pain point in the mobile world.

  • BlackLotus Malware Is the First to Bypass Secure Boot

    BlackLotus Malware Is the First to Bypass Secure Boot

    Computer security became a little more challenging, with the BlackLotus malware becoming the first to bypass Secure Boot.

    Secure Boot is a method of signing the kernel and various boot components, ensuring that no malicious software can be inserted into the boot process and compromise a machine. While there have been many claims of malware that can bypass secure boot, BlackLotus is the first.

    According to ESET malware analyst Martin Smolár, “the first publicly known UEFI bootkit bypassing the essential platform security feature – UEFI Secure Boot – is now a reality.”

    Smolár goes on to discuss ESET’s findings, including the fact that BlackLotus can compromise even “the latest, fully patched Windows 11 systems with UEFI Secure Boot enabled.”

    The malware uses a vulnerability that was patched more than a year ago because “the affected, validly signed binaries have still not been added to the UEFI revocation list. BlackLotus takes advantage of this, bringing its own copies of legitimate – but vulnerable – binaries to the system in order to exploit the vulnerability.”

    In many ways, a bootkit like BlackLotus is the Holy Grail of exploits because the bootkit has “full control over the OS boot process and thus capable of disabling various OS security mechanisms and deploying their own kernel-mode or user-mode payloads in early OS startup stages.”

    Because the bootkit hijacks the process early on, attackers can even enroll their own keys in the system so that the malware can have unfettered access without tripping any security measures.

    ESET’s research is disturbing on many levels, not the least of which is the fact that BlackLotus can be delivered both off and online. This means an attacker does not need physical access to a device in order to compromise it.

    To make matters worse, it appears the vulnerability BlackLotus exploits is not the only one.

    “UEFI Secure Boot stands in the way of UEFI bootkits, but there are a non-negligible number of known vulnerabilities that allow bypassing this essential security mechanism,” writes Smolár. “And the worst of this is that some of them are still easily exploitable on up-to-date systems even at the time of this writing – including the one exploited by BlackLotus.”

    At this point, there are not absolute mitigation measures, only a combination of things that can reduce the likelihood of a compromise. Once a computer is compromised, the safest thing to do is to reinstall it and use the mokutil utility to delete the signed key BlackLotus deposits that enables it to bypass Secure Boot.

  • Microsoft’s January 2023 Security Update Fixes 98 Vulnerabilities

    Microsoft’s January 2023 Security Update Fixes 98 Vulnerabilities

    Microsoft has released the January 2023 Security Update, fixing 98 vulnerabilities, including one zero-day exploit.

    Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s term for when it releases updates and security fixes for Windows. The first Patch Tuesday of 2023 fixes a slew of issues, including 11 critical and 87 important issues. One of them, CVE-2023-21674, is currently being exploited.

    Microsoft offers the following description of the zero-day exploit:

    This vulnerability could lead to a browser sandbox escape.

    Once the vulnerability is exploited, an attacker can achieve the following:

    An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges.

    All users should update immediately.

  • Google Is Launching One VPN on macOS and Windows

    Google Is Launching One VPN on macOS and Windows

    Google is launching its One VPN service on macOS and Windows, expanding beyond the initial iOS and Android offering.

    VPN services are a popular way to protect privacy online, access geo-restricted content, and circumvent censorship. Google’s One VPN service is already available for iOS and Android, but the company is now bringing the service to macOS and Windows. The VPN is available for free on Google One accounts with a 2TB or higher account.

    Of course, a major concern that some people may have is the company running this particular VPN. A VPN service works by routing all of a user’s traffic through a trusted server, thereby masking that traffic from outsiders. In order to be effective, however, the company running the VPN servers must be trusted implicitly, since it’s the one entity privy to ALL the user’s internet traffic.

    At its core, Google is a company that makes money off of user data. Even now, the company is facing a lawsuit tracking users when Chrome’s Incognito Mode was active, despite leading users to believe their browsing activity was private.

    So the real question is: Should users trust a company that profits from data, not to mention a company with a history of privacy abuses, with ALL of their most sensitive internet traffic?

    Our answer is no. Users would be far better off using Mullvad, or another reputable service.

  • PSA: Update Windows Immediately to Fix Zero-Day vulnerabilities

    PSA: Update Windows Immediately to Fix Zero-Day vulnerabilities

    The latest Microsoft Patch Tuesday includes fixes for several zero-day vulnerabilities, and users should update immediately.

    Zero-day vulnerabilities are among the most dangerous. By definition, a zero-day is a vulnerability that has been recently discovered, with no patches or mitigation efforts in place. As a result, hackers can exploit the vulnerability at will.

    Microsoft’s latest set of patches includes fixes for several of those vulnerabilities, including six that are already being actively exploited in the wild. What’s more, according to Forbes, two of the vulnerabilities were known for at least two months before this patch became available.

    “It took Microsoft more than two months to provide the patch, even though the company admitted that ProxyNotShell actively exploited the vulnerabilities in targeted attacks against at least 10 large organizations,” Mike Walters, vice president of vulnerability and threat research at Action1, told the outlet. “It is good news that an official patch is available now,” Walters added, saying that “installing it promptly is highly advisable.”

    With fixes for 68 total vulnerabilities, 11 of them critical, users should immediately update.

    More information can be found on the Microsoft Security Update Guide.

  • Microsoft Mistake Left Millions of PCs Vulnerable for Years

    Microsoft Mistake Left Millions of PCs Vulnerable for Years

    Microsoft is under fire for a mistake that left millions of PCs vulnerable for years, according to a new report.

    Microsoft maintains a blocklist of vulnerable drivers that hackers can use to attack Windows. Drivers that have already been proven to have vulnerabilities are tempting targets for hackers since it saves them the work of creating a vulnerability from scratch. These types of hacks are called BYOV (Bring Your Own Vulnerability) attacks. Microsoft updates Windows with its blocklist, ensuring that Windows isn’t vulnerable to BYOV attacks..

    At least, that’s how the system is supposed to work. According to Ars Technica, Microsoft failed to properly update Windows to utilize the updated blocklist. As a result, for nearly two years, Windows didn’t download the new lists, leaving millions of machines vulnerable.

    To make matters worse, not only are BYOV attacks on the rise, but Microsoft even discouraged customers from using alternative security measures, assuring them Windows Update would protect them from these issues.

    “Security vendors are going to tell you [that you] need to buy their stuff, but Windows has everything you need to block it,” David Weston, Microsoft Senior VP of Enterprise and OS Security, tweeted in late 2020.

    Given Microsoft’s status as the leading operating system vendor, not to mention the second-largest cloud vendor, this is an embarrassing and inexcusable lapse, one the company will be dealing with for some time.

  • PSA: Update Windows Immediately

    PSA: Update Windows Immediately

    Microsoft has released updates to fix a zero-day vulnerability impacting all versions of Windows, from Windows 7 to Windows 11.

    According to Microsoft, the bug allows a bad actor to escalate privileges related to the Windows Common Log File System Driver. This could give the hacker full system privileges — the highest level available — giving them full access and control of the computer.

    Fortunately, the vulnerability is not a fully remote attack and still requires social engineering or some other method to gain initial access, which can then be used to elevate privileges.

    “This bug in the Common Log File System (CLFS) allows an authenticated attacker to execute code with elevated privileges. Bugs of this nature are often wrapped into some form of social engineering attack, such as convincing someone to open a file or click a link,” writes Zero Day Initiative’s Dustin Childs. “Once they do, additional code executes with elevated privileges to take over a system. Usually, we get little information on how widespread an exploit may be used. However, Microsoft credits four different agencies reporting this bug, so it’s likely beyond just targeted attacks.”

    Given this attack is already being used in the wild, all users should update their Windows installation immediately.

  • WhatsApp Releases Standalone Windows App

    WhatsApp Releases Standalone Windows App

    Windows users now have access to a new WhatsApp app that doesn’t require linking to their phone first.

    WhatsApp has existed on the desktop for years, but required linking with the app on a phone first. WhatsApp announced a new update that finally makes the desktop app a standalone option.

    The company outlines the benefits in a FAQ page:

    “WhatsApp Desktop users have been using our web-based desktop app (WhatsApp Desktop) or our browser-based app (WhatsApp Web). As we’re always trying to improve the WhatsApp experience for our users, we’re developing apps native to Windows and Mac operating systems.

    • Advantages of native apps:
    • Increased reliability and speed
    • Designed and optimized for your desktop operating system
    • Continue to receive notifications and messages even when your phone is offline”

    The new version is available via the Microsoft Store.

  • Linux Distro Reviews: Intro

    Linux Distro Reviews: Intro

    This series of articles will review some of the most popular Linux distributions (distros) with an eye to everyday desktop use.

    Linux has been growing in popularity as an alternative to Windows and macOS, especially for users that want privacy, security, and control over how their data is used. Linux is also unencumbered by Microsoft’s TPM requirements, making it a good option for hardware left behind by Windows 10 or Windows 11. The fact that Linux, and most of the software running on it, is entirely free is yet another bonus.

    In my case, I’ve been transitioning to Linux after more than 20 years on macOS. During those two decades, I used macOS exclusively and even developed commercial software for it. My main drivers for the switch were:

    • Wanting to have more control over my data rather than being at the mercy of Apple’s decisions.
    • The ability to upgrade my hardware and extend its usable lifespan for a fraction of the cost of new Apple gear.
    • A desire to use more open-source software rather than relying on closed-source options.

    For the uninitiated, Linux differs from Windows and macOS in the sheer volume of choices it offers. Companies, organizations, and groups take the Linux kernel – or core of the OS – bundle it with a user interface and various applications, and release it as a distro. While it’s hard to say how many distros there are, with the number somewhere in the hundreds, popular website DistroWatch.com lists 100 of the most popular.

    While it can (and sometimes is) confusing having so many different distros available, it’s important to remember that at their core, these various distros share similar functionality. The differences often come down to the package manager they use to install software, the user interface (desktop environments), their release cycle, and the suite of tools and packages installed that gives a distro a specific focus (think daily use, gaming, servers, security testing, etc.)

    I began my migration to Linux at the beginning of 2022 and have distro-hopped across some of the most popular options on the market in an effort to find the one that provides ease of use, stability, reliability, and the software I need to do my job.

    This series will explore my findings, dispel some popular myths (such as Linux being too hard for the average user), and may shed some light on what distro is right for you.

  • Have Eight Hours? Windows Will Need That Long to Update

    Have Eight Hours? Windows Will Need That Long to Update

    Windows updates are about to get much longer, with Microsoft saying the OS needs at least eight hours to properly update.

    Windows updates are already one of the most frustrating part of many users’ daily lives. The process is long and involved, and happens far more often than many users would like. To make matters worse, updates fail at times, leading to a whole slew of additional issues.

    According to David Guyer, on the company’s Windows IT Pro Blog, users should be allocating at least eight hours for updates.

    “Microsoft has invested significant effort into understanding why Windows devices are not always fully up to date,” writes Guyer. “One of the most impactful things we explored was how much time a device needs to be powered on and connected to Windows Update to be able to successfully install quality and feature updates. What we found is that devices that don’t meet a certain amount of connected time are very unlikely to successfully update. Specifically, data shows that devices need a minimum of two continuous connected hours, and six total connected hours after an update is released to reliably update. This allows for a successful download and background installations that are able to restart or resume once a device is active and connected.”

    It’s a safe bet no one is going to be happy with this recommendation, from home users to IT managers.

  • Qualcomm’s Exclusive Deal to Produce Windows ARM Devices Ending

    Qualcomm’s Exclusive Deal to Produce Windows ARM Devices Ending

    The market for ARM-based Windows PCs is about to become far more diversified, with an exclusive deal between Microsoft and Qualcomm ending.

    Microsoft has been working to bring Windows to ARM devices, thanks in large part to Apple’s own move to the semiconductor architecture. ARM-based chips, such as Apple’s M1 line, offer advantages in energy efficiency and battery life, while still offering performance on par with Intel and AMD.

    Until now, however, Qualcomm has had an exclusive deal with Microsoft to provide SoCs for all Windows ARM devices. According to XDA, that deal is set to expire soon.

    There are a slew of potential benefits to the deal expiring. MediaTek is already planning on launching their own chipset for Windows ARM devices, and it’s a safe bet other manufacturers will follow suit. XDApoints out that the exclusivity deal is likely the reason there has been no official Windows 11 virtualization support for Apple’s M1 architecture as well.

    XDA doesn’t know exactly when the deal will expire, but hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.

  • Linux Users Make Better Software Testers

    Linux Users Make Better Software Testers

    An indie developer is reporting that his Linux users generate a disproportionate number of bug reports, and the reports are higher quality.

    User-submitted bug reports are one of the main ways many developers — especially smaller ones — identify bugs and improve their apps. Despite Linux having a much smaller desktop market share than either Windows or macOS, at least one developer is crediting Linux users with being far more productive as bug reporters.

    Koderski, at Kodera Software, posted his findings in a thread on Reddit.

    “As of today, I sold a little over 12,000 units of ΔV in total,” writes Koderski. “700 of these units were bought by Linux players. That’s 5.8%. I got 1040 bug reports in total, out of which roughly 400 are made by Linux players. That’s one report per 11.5 users on average, and one report per 1.75 Linux players. That’s right, an average Linux player will get you 650% more bug reports.”

    Koderski also addresses the misconception that making his game available for Linux led to a large number of additional bugs, making the case that a Linux version didn’t create any more work — only better reporting.

    “Do you know how many of these 400 bug reports were actually platform-specific? 3. Literally only 3 things were problems that came out just on Linux. The rest of them were affecting everyone – the thing is, the Linux community is exceptionally well trained in reporting bugs. That is just the open-source way. This 5.8% of players found 38% of all the bugs that affected everyone. Just like having your own 700-person strong QA team. That was not 38% extra work for me, that was just free QA!”

    Koderski’s findings should be of interest to any company that develops software, and shows that developing for Linux carries benefits beyond just an immediate financial reward.

  • Microsoft Relies on SUSE Linux for SAP Applications in Azure

    Microsoft Relies on SUSE Linux for SAP Applications in Azure

    Gone are the days of Linux and Microsoft being rivals, with the Redmond giant embracing SUSE Linux to run SAP applications in Azure.

    Anyone who has been around technology longer than the past decade remembers the time when Microsoft was notoriously territorial about its operating system. The company aggressively fought anything it felt was a threat to Windows, including Linux.

    The company’s culture shifted under CEO Satya Nadella, with a new emphasis on cloud computing and providing the best software and services on many different platforms. The strategy has paid off in spades, with Microsoft reaching all-new heights.

    Microsoft is even embracing Linux, including Windows Subsystem for Linux in the most recent editions of Windows, allowing users to run Linux apps natively. The same is true for the company’s approach to SAP applications in Azure, choosing SUSE Linux as the foundation, according to SUSE’s Paul Fox.

    “SLES for SAP Applications makes our complete deployment process way easier. It comes preconfigured with SAP requirements so we can deploy without having to take any extra steps,” Elke Bregler, Principal Service Architect, Microsoft, told Fox. “It also allows us to resize [VMs] without having to change any configurations. It’s quite easy to use and makes for a much better experience for everyone involved.”

    SAP’s own trust in SUSE was a major factor in Microsoft’s decision-making process, as SUSE has been an SAP “partner longer than any other open source company.” With so much on the line — proving Azure could be a robust cloud solution — SUSE offered a solid track record that aligned with Microsoft’s needs.

    SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for SAP Applications soon proved itself a highly available, easy to maintain and fast scaling database management solution. As a Premium Certified SAP Endorsed App, SLES for SAP Applications provides an environment for optimal SAP performance: reduced risk from service outages; less time and effort for system maintenance; and faster services deployment on premises and in the cloud for SAP solutions.

    SUSE Consulting provided another major benefit.

    The addition of SUSE Consulting completed the picture for Microsoft, providing direct access to subject matter experts, which meant faster resolution times, mitigation of potential issues and the enablement of more precise planning for future projects.

    In recent years Microsoft has become a major force within the open source community, a community it once viewed as an enemy. Its success and contributions demonstrate the good that can come when companies embrace open source software.

  • Oracle Offering Arm-Based Cloud Computing

    Oracle Offering Arm-Based Cloud Computing

    Oracle has announced it is offering Arm-based cloud computing, using processors from Ampere Computing.

    Arm Holdings designs semiconductors and licenses those designs to other companies. The processors offer a combination of power and efficiency that make them ideally suited for use in compact spaces, making them the preferred chips for smartphones and tablets. Those same qualities also make them ideal for data center operations, where cooling and power requirements are at a premium.

    Oracle now joins Amazon as one of the companies offering Arm-based cloud computing services, powered by Ampere A1 Compute chips. Oracle is touting its cost, a mere one cent per core hour, as the industry’s lowest cost per core.

    “We see increasing demand for server-side Arm computing and adding Arm-based compute instances to our extensive portfolio of offerings enables customers to pick and choose the right processors for their workloads,” said Clay Magouyrk, executive vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “Now customers who need an Arm platform for development can get the flexibility, scalability, and price-performance they need. We’re also making it really easy for developers to move their apps and develop new ones on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.”

    “Ampere instances on OCI is a breakthrough for developers. Oracle’s Free Tier is a great offering that allows them to test the OCI Ampere A1 compute platform and experience the first-cloud native processor that delivers predictable performance, scalability and power needed,” said Renee James, founder, chairman and CEO, Ampere Computing. “The Oracle Cloud has all the tools developers need to try new technology, get excited about new platforms and develop new applications.”

    Arm semiconductor adoption in the data center is another increasingly worrying sign for Intel. While Arm has dominated the mobile market, Intel was the king of traditional computers and the data center. Last year, however, Apple announced it was switching its Mac platform to its own custom silicon, based on Arm designs. Microsoft has started following suit, pushing Windows on Arm.

    With Amazon and Oracle both supporting Arm-based cloud computing, Intel’s last stronghold is now under full assault.

  • Jamf’s Quarterly Results Indicate Strong Apple Demand in the Enterprise

    Jamf’s Quarterly Results Indicate Strong Apple Demand in the Enterprise

    Jamf’s latest quarterly results are good news for the company and for Apple, indicating increased demand for Apple products in the enterprise.

    Jamf is a device management firm that specializes in supporting Apple customers. The company was founded in 2002, with the goal to “help organizations succeed with Apple.”

    In its latest Q4 results, the company’s revenue hit $76.4 million, growing 34% year-over-year. Yearly revenue was $269.5 million, up 32%.

    “We finished 2020 with high growth across every product, geography, and the top 10 industries we serve, demonstrating the strength and diversity of our platform,” said Dean Hager, CEO of Jamf. “As we look to 2021, we’ll continue to expand the breadth and depth of our Apple Enterprise Management platform to enhance our value to customers and accelerate further penetration of Apple in the enterprise.”

    Jamf’s results are the latest indication of the inroads Apple is making. Years ago, Apple was known as the computer of choice for creatives, while Windows had a firm stranglehold on the enterprise market. With the iPhone, iPad and modern Macs, Apple has increasingly been prying its way into the market.

  • Microsoft Azure Will Be Bigger Than Office In 2022

    Microsoft Azure Will Be Bigger Than Office In 2022

    Microsoft Azure is growing by leaps and bounds, with at least one analyst predicting it will eclipse Office by 2022.

    Microsoft’s cloud platform has been on a tear, outpacing the industry’s growth and contributing to the company’s most recent stellar quarter. Despite being in second place behind AWS, Azure already makes up a larger portion of Microsoft’s business than its venerable Windows family of products.

    According to CNBC, Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin has said Azure is well on its way to eclipsing Microsoft Office, becoming the single biggest source of revenue for the company. Azure has already surpassed Office 365, but should surpass 365 and traditional licenses combined in 2022.

    “We have quarterly Azure revenue of $11.8B by June 2022 (eclipsing Office all-in revenue of $10.9B for the first time),” Bracelin told CNBC in an email on Wednesday.

    Azure’s growth — growing importance — is a validation of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s strategy. Since taking the helm, Nadella has changed the entire focus of the company. Microsoft was once known for vigorously protecting its Windows and Office platforms. Under Nadella, however, Microsoft has become far more open, working to provide its software on virtually all the major platforms. Nadella’s goal has been to provide the best experience…regardless of a person or organization’s platform of choice. A big part of that strategy has been Microsoft’s emphasis on Azure.

    In view of Azure’s growth, it’s clear Nadella knew exactly what he was doing when he helped Microsoft pivot to the cloud.

  • Microsoft Planning a Web-Based Universal Version of Outlook

    Microsoft Planning a Web-Based Universal Version of Outlook

    Microsoft is planning on consolidating Outlook for Windows and the Mac, providing a single version based on web technologies.

    Outlook is one of the most popular productivity apps, enjoying widespread use across Windows, Mac and iOS/iPadOS. In order to support those platforms, however, Microsoft has to maintain multiple version of the application, one for each platform. This represents a significant degree of overhead, even for a company as large as Microsoft.

    While web technologies were once used strictly in the creation of websites and web-based applications, modern advances have paved the way for web languages and technologies to be used in desktop applications. This has been a boon for developers, making it relatively easy to target the web, desktop and mobile platforms from a single codebase.

    According to Zac Bowden at Windows Central, Microsoft is preparing to take this approach with Outlook, basing a single desktop client on the web version of Outlook. Codenamed Project Monarch, the new approach is the culmination of Microsoft’s “One Outlook” vision.

    Bowden’s sources tell him the new version will still behave like a standard desktop app, complete with offline storage, native OS components, notifications, share targets and more.

    This is good news for Outlook users, as it will help ensure that all users enjoy the same features and experience.

  • Dell Launching Video Conferencing Monitors With Microsoft Teams Support

    Dell Launching Video Conferencing Monitors With Microsoft Teams Support

    Dell is launching three new monitors with dedicated Microsoft Teams buttons and support for Windows facial recognition.

    Microsoft launched a Teams certification program in December for USB audio and video devices. As companies have turned to remote work to stay productive during the pandemic, Microsoft Teams has become an important component for many businesses. Dell has now become the first manufacturer to announce a line of monitors with a dedicated Teams button.

    Collaboration is easier and more efficient with the Dell 34 Curved Video Conferencing Monitors, the world’s first 34-inch curved video conferencing monitor certified for Microsoft Teams. Also available in 24-inch and 27-inch sizes, the monitors offer secure facial recognition sign-in and hands-free commands to provide enhanced security and convenience.

    As Microsoft continues to compete with Slack, programs like this give the company a significant advantage.

  • Microsoft Working On ‘Sweeping Visual Rejuvenation of Windows’

    Microsoft Working On ‘Sweeping Visual Rejuvenation of Windows’

    Microsoft is planning to implement a “sweeping visual rejuvenation of Windows” in an effort to make the operating system (OS) more relevant than ever.

    Once the undisputed champion of the OS market, Windows has increasingly become less important. Recent technological changes, such as mobile computing, cloud computing and virtualization, have almost made the end user’s OS the least important part of the equation.

    In many ways, Microsoft has contributed to this trend. Under CEO Satya Nadella, the company is more focused on making its software available on virtually every platform — and ensuring that software provides the best possible experience. While this has helped transform Microsoft into a cloud behemoth, it has further lessened the importance of Windows.

    Nonetheless, according to a job posting, Microsoft is looking to revamp Windows, and wants an engineer to help “build the future of Windows Experiences!” The company goes on to say that position will help “deliver experiences that ensure Windows is a great user experience for our customers.”

    As The Verge points out, Microsoft has removed some of the original wording that hyped up the role even more, such as its goal of a “sweeping visual rejuvenation of Windows.”

    The Verge also quoted another segment of the original post that appears to have been removed as well:

    On this team, you’ll work with our key platform, Surface, and OEM partners to orchestrate and deliver a sweeping visual rejuvenation of Windows experiences to signal to our customers that Windows is BACK and ensure that Windows is considered the best user OS experience for customers.

    Whatever the case, it appears Microsoft has some big plans for Windows in 2021.

  • Intel CEO: Decision On Outsourcing Chipmaking ‘In The Next Couple of Months’

    Intel CEO: Decision On Outsourcing Chipmaking ‘In The Next Couple of Months’

    Intel has had a rough couple of years, leading the company to consider what would have once been unthinkable: outsourcing its chipmaking.

    The company has had issues with its 10nm and 7nm processes, has been struggling to keep up with demand, and has been plagued with security issues, some of which have been labeled “unfixable.”

    As a result, Intel has seen its dominating lead chipped away by AMD. To make matters worse, it is losing once of its most high-profile customers, with Apple’s announcement that it will be switching the Mac to the same ARM-based chips that power the iPhone and iPad. Even Microsoft is moving ahead with plans to fully support Windows on ARM.

    These problems have led the company to open the door to the possibility it might outsource chip manufacturing, something executives would never had considered during the company’s hedey.

    CEO Bob Swan joined CNBC’s “Squawk Alley,” where he was asked how much of an impact the decision would have on margins.

    First, as we play a larger and larger role in the success of our customers, with the investments we’ve been making, with that comes a responsibility,” Swan replied. “And that responsibility for us is to provide a predictable cadence of leadership products for our customers.”

    So for us, we have a wonderful product roadmap for ’20, ’21 and ’22. And when we look into ’23, we have a decision to make, about whether to build that next generation of product on Intel’s manufacturing footprint, on third-party manufacturing footprint, or on a mix of both. And we’ve been designing our product to have the inherent flexibility to make those decisions over time.

    So in the next couple of months, we’ll be looking at what’s the right decision for 2023 products, and we’ll be evaluating a series of criteria.

    Schedule predictability—very important for our customers. Second, product performance—process matters, but so do a lot of other things, like software. And third, how do we retain some of the essential benefits of designing and making stuff for ourselves, in the event we take things outside with the relationships that we have with our third-party foundry partners. So we’re going through that assessment now.

    If Swan’s statement is any indication, the next couple of months will have long-last impacts on Intel’s future, as well as the future of the semiconductor industry in the US.