Microsoft has confirmed that the October update has broken Windows media player. Users will note that they’re unable to seek in some file types, an essential part of the app. On top of that, there are issues with default file types. Some users are unable to set win32 program defaults with certain apps using ‘Open with’. Some default win32 programs, including Microsoft Notepad, are also unable to set as default....
Windows 10 Timeline for web is now in full preview on the Windows Insider Program. It is packaged within Windows 10 19H1 Insider build 18267. Previously, Microsoft observer WalkingCat discovered signs that Timeline may be coming to the web. An Azure website at webshellprototype.azurewebsites.net seems to be a prototype for the feature. The prototype button for activating Timeline on web is now included on Insider build 18267. However, the button is still not functional, so the feature cannot be tested....
In a blog post, Microsoft says Xamarin development has centered on increasing productivity capabilities. “For the past year, Xamarin has been on a focused journey to improve your productivity by reducing your complexity when building cross-platform mobile applications,” Microsoft’s David Ortinau says. “We learned from you that getting started with Xamarin.Forms should be easier and quicker, and that navigation is a constant area of frustration.” The fruition of Xamarin development is a new feature for Xamarin....
The Cortana side of things has now been addressed, the Harmon Kardon Invoke now supporting shorter commands. Instead of lengthy sentences, you can now say “Cortana, Turn on the Xbox”. On top of this, Windows Central says the processing time seems faster, for an overall more streamlined experience. Limitations There’s also no way to choose which device is your default. The speaker simply prompts you to add your console. That could be a problem for those with multiple Xbox’s in the same room, or who’d prefer other devices to be the default....
A slick new design is also combined with an improved performance. Xbox Support is an entirely new website, re-built from the ground up to create a new user experience. “Our goal is to solve your problems, save you time, and get you back to playing games,” Xbox announced. “Not only does the new site make finding help easier and more intuitive, it provides notifications based on what’s happening with Xbox and your account so the information you need is front and center....
Yahoo submitted the settlement to the court of the Northern District in California this week. Under the proposed terms, the company would create a $50 million fund which claims made by victims would be paid from. Additionally, Yahoo will provide two years of credit monitoring free from AllClear. The company says this package is valued at around $350. 3 billion people were affected by last year’s record-breaking data breach. Any user who can show a documented loss of time caused by the breach can make a claim....
A photo application for Creative Cloud users, Lightroom is already available. However, Adobe has completely revamped the application and there are now two separate experiences. The older app has been rebranded as Lighthouse Classic, while the new app brings plenty of interesting features. For what it’s worth, Adobe is using the rebranding of the older app to say it will continue to support the legacy experience. As for the new Lightroom CC, Adobe has moved the app entirely to the cloud....
After clicking the play button, Age of Empires simply disappears, leaving users confused. Thankfully, there are some steps users can take, and one of them involves Candy Crush. By downloading and installing a free-to-play game like Candy Crush Saga, users can remind the store that they have the correct permissions, fixing the issue on some Windows versions. You can also check your anti-virus software for conflicts, disable your VPN, and reset the game data in settings....
Called XXVI Holdings Inc., the company was finalized on Friday, according to an FCC filing. In 2015, Google rebranded into what it called a collection of companies. The search and ad revenue aspect called Google was placed under the parent company Alphabet, alongside previous Google subsidiaries. XXVI Holdings is the finalization of the corporate restructure, with Alphabet confirming “We’re updating our corporate structure to implement the changes we announced with the creation of Alphabet in 2015....
Ray tracing is a technology that allows hardware acceleration on the new consoles. With ray tracing, the Series X has better dynamic shadows, physics-based lighting effects, and dynamic shadows. When implemented properly, the tech provides realism to game scenes. However, it has been difficult to get ray tracing working as it should. The Xbox Series X has capabilities to support the technology but so far there are no games that offer it....
As the world’s most used computing platform, when Android security is compromised, it affects a massive number. This time, over 100 million users were caught up in problems with cloud configuration. Check Point Research explains its team of security experts found chat messages, locations, photos, passwords, personal information, and emails from Android users available for anyone to see. Despite the app developers being informed by Check Point, only “a few” changed configurations to make the data private....
The scam was simple, either showing guile from the perpetrators or how easy it is to catch Apple out. Zhou and Jiang brought the fake iPhones into the United States, and then filed warranty complaints on them to Apple claiming they would not turn on. As is Apple’s policy, the company sent out real iPhone replacements for the fake devices. Zhou and Jiang would then ship the devices to customers in China at a discounted price but still at huge profit for themselves....
For example, the company has come under fire for not allowing users to third-party apps as defaults. According to Bloomberg, the company is responding to concerns from lawmakers and is considering making important changes to iOS. On Cupertino’s mobile platform, users cannot select a third-party as a default. For example, web browsers. Users can download another browser, but Apple’s own Safar remains the default when a link is selected (like in an email)....
Following up on that confirmation, the company spoke to The Verge and said the display will work on Windows PC. However, there are some caveats worth knowing about. Most notably – but also predictably – macOS apps will not be available. That include Center Stage, the “Hey Siri” ability, and Spatial Audio. Apple says at the core is simply a display that works like any normal PC monitor that has integrated speakers and webcam....
Specifically, the Digital Records Transformation Initiative (DRTI) wants to modernize the public sector and improve productivity. Automation and cloud integration will drive the evolution. A focus will be placed on allowing government agencies to access data inter-organizationally. Now the DTA is searching for a software-as-a-service platform to handle government digital practices and to solve current problems in records management. “The customer wants to create an information management environment that is agile and suited to current and emerging records management needs,” the DTA wrote....
However, other cloud companies could be part of the transformation as ASIO is seeking “one or more” service providers. The organization is reported to want Microsoft Azure to drive the first phase of the project. Microsoft Azure will be used across the protected, secret, and top-secret classifications. Eventually, ASIO wants to develop integrated technologies across the organization and has published a request for expression of interest (EOI) on six packages....
Microsoft says it collaborated with the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) and its current partner Xplore. The goal was to see how it can use Azure commercial cloud services to enhance satellite missions for NOAA’s legacy polar satellites (NOAA-18). The result was Microsoft’s cloud could extend the life of the mission while also helping NOAA to reduce costs. Through a year-long cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between Microsoft and NOAA, the partners were able to assess the qualities of the Azure Orbital Ground Stations platform: “This successful demonstration shows that the Azure Orbital GSaaS, and the partner network it brings together, enables sustainable outcomes for satellite operators....
Microsoft says its ongoing partnership with VMware has been strengthened, bringing support for VMware Cloud Universal. This means users on Azure VMware Solution are now part of the program. The Cloud Universal program delivers a flexible platform for purchasing and using hybrid and multi-cloud methods. Elsewhere, Azure VMware Solution has the following major changes, including extended availability: “Global expansion to 24 regions: Since the launch of Azure VMware Solution two years ago, we’ve been working to support customers globally with geographic expansion to 24 Azure regions, more than any other cloud provider....
Now, Smith is taking aim at the U.S. government again. Geekwire points to a passage in the book where Smith claims an advisor for President Donald Trump asked Microsoft about helping the government spy on other countries. Microsoft has previously made it clear it would not use its services and data to spy on users. However, the advisor wanted to know why that was the case. “How can governments regulate a technology that is bigger than themselves?...
In its explanation blog post, Microsoft says .NET 5 will be a merger of classic .NET Framework with the open source .NET Core. This will create a single .NET platform, something users of the software framework have been asking for. “There will be just one .NET going forward, and you will be able to use it to target Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, tvOS, watchOS, and WebAssembly, and more,” Microsoft’s Richard Lander announced....
