“Based on customer feedback, we are extending support for Skype 7 (Skype classic) for some time. Our customers can continue to use Skype classic until then,” said a spokesperson. “Thanks for all your comments – we are listening. We are working to bring all the features you’ve asked for into Skype 8.” It seems that Skype Classic’s days are still numbered, but the extension will at least give some relief....

At a conference in Munich, Satya Nadella said, “the fundamental need of every person is to be able to use their time more effectively, not to say, ‘let us replace you’.” This isn’t the first time Nadella has echoed such concepts, revealing Microsoft’s plans to democratize AI last year. No Parlor Tricks The CEO wants to build AI into commercial and consumer software so that it can make inferences about its environment....

As expected, the devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor, one that Qualcomm created specifically to run full Windows 10 on mobile devices. Qualcomm revealed the deal which will see ASUS, Lenovo, and HP develop PCs ideal for mobility. Of course, the Snapdragon 835 CPU will be the highlight of those devices alongside Windows 10. Qualcomm’s processor features the new X16 LTE modem, which is 10 times faster than first-gen 4G LTE devices....

Thankfully, Xbox senior product manager Dennis Ceccarelli has committed to a solid first step. “On the first of every month, you’re going to see at least five new games enter the Game Pass catalog – every single month,” he said during an Xbox Daily interview. “Again, we’re really trying to give a great mix of games across different ratings, different experiences, different genres, so no matter who you are, if you’re a Game Pass member, every single month there’s something new for you to play....

According to a Microsoft Developer blog post, the Redstone 4 release will be made public in April. Yes, the build number for the platform is 1803 (third month of 2018), but will be when Microsoft finalizes the software. Once finalized, the company will roll it out, likely starting at the start of April. Last year, Microsoft followed an almost identical release path for the Creators Update. That build was also finalized in March before beginning its official roll out on April 11....

Using Microsoft Defender Application Guard, customers can sandbox untrusted documents keeping them away from a system. Through this virtual container, documents across Office apps can be vetted if they come from an unknown source. Defender AG functions in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also functions within emails, allowing users to safely and securely open attachments in Microsoft 365. When the tool opens a document, it fires a notification to users....

Users and businesses with COPE devices can now install applications freely. Under normal conditions, it is only possible for the company to manage app installation, and indeed every other aspect of device management. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is expanding its support on Android Enterprise (AE). The cybersecurity protection service is already available on the AE Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) platform, as well as legacy Advice Administrator mode, AE Fully Managed modes, and devices on the unenrolled mobile application management (MAM) service....

Now Microsoft is ready to take the next step in its digital identity revolution. According to the company, it is working on two projects towards its goal. The first involves entering partnerships with other leaders in the decentralized identity space. Secondly, Microsoft will develop the first decentralized digital identity platform that is widely available. Alongside the Mastercard collaboration, both these goals build on the company’s Microsoft Azure Active Directory Verifiable Credentials, which was launched at Build 2021: “Verifiable credentials let organizations confirm information—like their education or professional certifications someone provides—without collecting and storing their personal data, thereby improving security and privacy....

For consumers in the United States, the Xbox One X now costs $399, a sizeable $100 reduction from its usual $499 tag. As for the Xbox One X bundled with Fallout 76, there is a $70 discount available. The Xbox One X is Microsoft’s latest gaming machine, billed as the most powerful console ever made. If you are looking for something more affordable than the high-end X, the Xbox One S with Minecraft bundled now costs just $199....

John M. Clark, a cross-domain solution architect for Microsoft, says only large organizations can effectively adopt multi-cloud. The reasons is a lack of leverage to make the most of cost benefits in smaller businesses. “Attempting to play vendors off against each other for advantaged pricing usually doesn’t yield anticipated saving because of current state IT procurement processes. This only works if you are an enormous cloud consumer like Netflix as pricing is fixed based on features, and most companies have insufficient leverage....

Manifest V3 changes the way in which browser extensions work on browsers. Other Chromium-based services, such as Brave, Opera, and Chrome already support the API. Microsoft Edge is the latest to adopt it. Google insists Manifest V3 is meant to boost browser extension performance, improve security, and give users more management options for extensions. Many developers were unhappy with the API because they found it also prevents the use of ad blockers....

According to a report, Microsoft is working on a beta test for an ad-blocker on Edge for Android. With the new feature, Microsoft is introducing a content blocker which will be powered by AdBlock Plus. We guess this means it will be able to block the same ads and have the same capabilities of AdBlock Plus for desktop. On Windows 10, Microsoft Edge users implement AdBlock through the developed extension....

In January, it clocked in at 16 hours versus Google’s 13 and a half during HD video playback. This month, Edge managed 14:20:07 versus Chrome’s 12:32:58. That’s a 14% difference versus 19% in the last test, and 35% in the one before that. In June 2016, there’s was a huge 60% difference. It’s clear that Google is making significant headway via backend changes, while Edge still fails to support many features and extensions....

It is unclear if those services will be replaced or whether Microsoft Endpoint Manager is a standalone suite. The latter seems more likely as the product contains other services. For example, it provides Device Management Admin Center (DMAC) and Desktop Analytics. Furthermore, there is a feature called co-management, which allows devices using SCCM or Intune to be managed. Microsoft has promised Endpoint Manager will include intelligent features such as actions....

The company has announced localized Surface for Business support in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia. This is an effort to expand availability for organizations and education locations in 11 new European markets. David Alexander, senior product manager for Surface, made the announcement through a blog post on Monday. He says the expansion will open on May 1, 2019. He says the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 will be available through business sales distribution....

Microsoft had originally planned to cut off the promotional introduction on March 31st. Outlook Premium subscribers have been enjoying a $19.95 per year offer to sign up for the service. After the cut-off date, new subscribers were expected to pay $49.95, the full price for the service. The premium email service is now still available at the reduced price through June. This is actually very good news. Like most subscription services, Microsoft will automatically take payment to renew the service when the yearly subscription ends....

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft is shipping a batch of “high tech combat goggles” to the US military. Known as Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), the technology is essentially tweaked versions of the HoloLens and HoloLens 2. The location data from soldiers over a tactical range to provide visualizations of where other soldiers in a squadron are. This will be valuable in low-visibility situations such as in smoke, sandstorms, or jungle....

Scopis has announced a new Holographic Navigation Platform that leverages Microsoft HoloLens. The company says the surgery-focused platform is the first of its kind. It uses mixed reality and uses the headset for minor open and minimally-invasive spine surgery. In a press release to announce the platform, Scopis says it was created to “offer surgeons greater precision, and speed, and better outcomes for patients undergoing open and minimally-invasive spinal procedures....

Before getting to that, there is plenty of back story here. Back in February, Google Project Zero announced it had discovered two zero day vulnerabilities, one in Windows 10 and one in Internet Explorer. Project Zero gives software companies 90 days to fix these issues before going public. Microsoft missed the cut off. The company also cancelled its February Patch Tuesday cumulative updates due to an unnamed late issue. Perhaps this was to concentrate on solving the zero-day vulnerabilities....

For an additional $13, they can upgrade that to an Xbox One X, enabling the latest titles in 4K HDR. Payments happen over the course of 24 months at 0% APR, and you’ll own the console outright at the end. Of course, while all these services would be more expensive individually, it’s unlikely you’d have them two years straight. The value of Game Pass is dependent on its variety over time, and you wouldn’t need Xbox Live Gold if you play primarily single player....