chief marketing officer Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Kinzoo Messenger offers users a Dog Man experience

Kinzoo Messenger is a free social media application for children and families, launched in 2020, with over a million downloads in countries including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The platform focuses on providing a safe environment for kids to connect through talk, text, and games. Its monetization strategy includes in-app currency for purchasing stickers, brand partnerships, and a paid subscription tier for exclusive content. Kinzoo has engaged children through collaborations with popular intellectual properties, achieving significant engagement metrics, such as 423,000 opt-ins for Rovio's Angry Birds and 321,000 for the Dog Man campaign within 20 days. The platform allows children to choose which brands to engage with, providing a secure alternative amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of traditional media.

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Gearbox, Id and Warner vets found new publisher Cooldown

A group of former industry veterans has launched Cooldown Games, a new publishing venture led by CEO Steve Gibson, who was previously president at Gearbox Publishing. The founding team includes Matt Charles (Chief Product Officer), Erick Cobbs (Chief Business Officer), Jackson Hardesty (Chief Operating Officer), Brad Schliesser (Chief Revenue Officer), Jimmy Sieben (Chief Technology Officer), and Jeff Skal (Chief Marketing Officer). Collectively, they have generated over a billion in revenue and contributed to the success of eight titles that have sold over one million copies each. Gibson expressed confidence in the company's rational business models and commitment to supporting game developers. The team aims to discover and promote games that fit into the busy lives of gamers, influenced by their own gaming preferences over the past five years.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Microsoft says having a TPM is “non-negotiable” for Windows 11

Microsoft requires TPM 2.0 support as a non-negotiable prerequisite for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to enhance security. TPM 2.0 is a specialized processor that provides hardware-based security functions, such as storing sensitive information securely. As of October 2023, over 61% of Windows systems globally still run Windows 10, while less than 35% have upgraded to Windows 11 since its launch in October 2021. Microsoft will offer an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for home users to postpone their upgrade to Windows 11 for an additional year, with enrollment opening closer to the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Specialized versions of Windows, like LTSB and LTSC, will continue to receive updates beyond this date. Windows 11 24H2 has begun rolling out to eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2.

Winsage

December 2, 2024

Windows 10’s surprise comeback is terrible news for Microsoft’s Windows 11

Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10 in October 2025, prompting users to consider their options, including continuing at their own risk, opting for Extended Security Updates for a fee, or transitioning to a Windows 11-compatible PC. Despite a gradual increase in Windows 11 adoption, recent statistics from Statcounter show that Windows 10's user numbers increased in November, while Windows 11's decreased. Currently, Windows 10 holds 61.8% of the market share, and Windows 11 has 34.94%, reflecting a nearly one percent drop for Windows 11 from the previous month. Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates after October 14, 2025.

Winsage

November 28, 2024

RIP Windows 10? Microsoft tries ‘ultimate’ tactic to get you using Windows 11

Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as free support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. Full-screen alerts have been introduced on Windows 10 devices, promoting the benefits of upgrading, such as improved battery life, faster web browsing, and enhanced security features. Microsoft is also promoting new devices optimized for Windows 11, starting at £899. For users not ready to upgrade, Microsoft offers a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for £24 per year, providing critical and important security updates but no new features or enhancements.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Microsoft just killed the Windows 10 Beta Channel again

Microsoft has closed the Windows 10 Beta Channel and transitioned all enrolled Windows Insiders to the Release Preview Channel. The Beta Channel was reopened in June 2023 for testing new features for Windows 10, version 22H2, but was discontinued five months later without detailed explanation. Over 60% of Windows systems globally still operate on Windows 10, while Windows 11 accounts for 35% of the market share. Windows 10 version 22H2 will receive monthly security updates until October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop addressing bugs and vulnerabilities. Home users can postpone their transition to Windows 11 for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU), with enrollment available closer to the end of support in 2025. Enterprise customers will have access to ESU starting November 1, 2024, with the first ESU set to be released in November 2025.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Want Windows 10 Security? That Will Be $30, Microsoft Says

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can opt for an Extended Security Update (ESU) program to maintain security updates for one year, which will require a one-time fee. The ESU program will provide critical and important security updates but will not include new feature updates, bug fixes, or technical support. Enrollment for the ESU program will open closer to the end of support in 2025.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Microsoft wants $30 to let you keep using Windows 10 securely for another year

Microsoft has announced its pricing strategy for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, effective October 14, 2025. Consumers can purchase one additional year of security updates for a fee, while businesses will pay a higher price for a single year and have options to extend coverage at escalating costs. Enrolled PCs will receive critical and important security updates, but new features, bug fixes, and technical support will not be provided. Enrollment in the ESU program will be available closer to the end of support in 2025. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, which has stricter hardware requirements, including compatibility with CPUs released from 2018 onward and TPM security chips. Windows 11 briefly became the most popular OS for PC gaming among Steam users in August but fell behind Windows 10 in September. Microsoft initially announced it would cease major updates for Windows 10 in 2023 but later reversed this decision and reopened its beta program for Windows 10 users.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft wants $30 if you want to delay Windows 11 switch

Microsoft has introduced an option for Windows 10 home users to postpone their transition to Windows 11 for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU). Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025, after which users will not receive bug fixes or security updates. Specialized versions like Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will be supported until January 13, 2032, and Windows 10 2016 LTSB until October 13, 2026. The ESU program for consumers will be available for enrollment closer to the end of support in 2025. Over 62% of all Windows systems currently run Windows 10, while only 33% operate on Windows 11. Microsoft will start offering Extended Security Updates to enterprise customers on November 1, 2025. Additionally, Microsoft has reopened the Windows 10 beta channel and released the first Windows 10 Beta build since 2021.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

How Microsoft is thinking about the future of Copilot and AI hardware

Microsoft has launched a revamped version of its Copilot for consumers, which includes voice capabilities and improved comprehension of visual content on screens. The company is considering a complete reimagining of applications on the Windows platform, driven by AI advancements and the potential introduction of dedicated Copilot hardware. The new Copilot reflects a departure from previous offerings, influenced by the recruitment of personnel from Inflection AI, and features more polished promotional materials. The updated experience resembles Inflection AI’s Pi chatbot, with new visual elements and prompts to encourage user interaction, indicating a broader vision for AI's role in enhancing user experience across Microsoft’s ecosystem.