In the News

Last week’s Windows 10 update to beta testers is almost certainly the final code for this year’s big upgrade, set to release on Aug. 2. Build 14393 was issued to participants in Microsoft’s Windows Insider preview program last week, first on July 18 to those who had selected the “Fast” track, then two days later to users on the “Slow” ring. As expected, the final build for what Microsoft dubbed “Anniversary Update” appeared after this month’s Patch.

Microsoft is making life easier! The company is releasing a new set of cloud-powered intelligent services in Office apps designed to save time and produce better results. These features help to improve writing in Word, deliver dynamic presentations in PowerPoint and prioritize the emails that matter most to users in Outlook.

On August 15 this year, Microsoft will release the new “Microsoft Authenticator” app in all mobile app stores. This new app combines the best parts of the previous authenticator apps into a new app which works with both Microsoft accounts and Azure AD accounts. This new app will be delivered as an update to Azure Authenticator. Existing accounts in your Azure Authenticator app will be automatically upgraded.

Microsoft said that the Windows 10 software is now running on over 350 million devices worldwide. It’s seeing the highest customer satisfaction ratings ever for a Windows release. So expectations are running pretty high for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which arrives August 2nd. Currently, the software delivers some useful upgrades to key features like Cortana and Windows Ink.

ESET, a global pioneer in IT security, announced the launch of ESET Remote Administrator (ERA) Virtual Machine for Microsoft Azure. The product enables IT administrators to drill-down into endpoint security environments at any time, allowing for ongoing security management and quick problem remediation. The availability of ERA Virtual Machine for Azure expands the options for businesses who want to manage their ESET security solutions from the cloud, regardless if the devices they manage are also in the cloud or on-premises.

When Windows 10 was first debuted on July 29, 2015, Microsoft made it available as a free upgrade for Windows 7 or 8.1 users, and other compatible devices. Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President of Windows wrote, in a blogpost, “This is more than a one-time upgrade: once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no cost.” The offer was made available to all Windows users, regardless of whether they are Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 users.

Microsoft has rolled out a new update for its Arrow launcher for Android. The app now supports notification badges for apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype. This feature was already available in the app, but with limited support. So starting with version 2.1, the most popular messaging apps should be supported as well. The new update also offers effects, material design animations and support for 24-hours display format, a feature that was highly requested by users.

Microsoft released a firmware update for its hybrid Surface Pro 3, more than three months after releasing its last update for the product in April. The firmware update provides improvements to battery life during sleep mode, and also improves the keyboard’s stability as per the change log on the company’s website. The latest update is also said to improve the setting driver’s stability for Surface Pen.

Mumbai based Xpress Computers has become a Microsoft Authorized Education Partner (AEP), demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft academic customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment. Anthony Salcito, Vice President of Education for Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector, said, “This authorization, along with our other education partner initiatives, gives our partners recognition of their areas of expertise and our academic customers the confidence that they are buying from academic IT specialists.”

Halo Wars 2, developed by The Creative Assembly, was scheduled to release this fall but has been delayed to February 21, 2017 for Xbox One and Windows 10. It will support the upcoming Xbox Play Anywhere feature which means a digital copy purchased on Xbox One nets you a free Windows 10 copy along with cross save capability.