employees

AppWizard
May 30, 2025
A new gaming venture, Atlantis Studio, has been formed by former employees from Ready at Dawn, Ubisoft, and Midgar Studio. It is led by Ru Weerasuriya, founder of Ready at Dawn, and writer Nico Augusto. Weerasuriya previously worked at Blizzard and was the studio head at Ready at Dawn until March 2025, after its acquisition by Meta. Atlantis Studio aims to create a collaborative environment for game development and will focus on titles for PC and console platforms using Unreal Engine 5.
Winsage
May 30, 2025
Microsoft has launched Windows Backup for Organizations, a tool designed to assist businesses in securely backing up and restoring Windows settings during the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. This tool is particularly useful for organizations upgrading multiple laptops, as it helps minimize manual adjustments. As of April 2025, 52.9% of Windows users are still on Windows 10, while Windows 11 has a market share of 43.7%. Users are encouraged to back up data before upgrading, and alternatives like Linux are suggested for those hesitant to switch to Windows 11, especially for older hardware.
Winsage
May 29, 2025
Redpill was a mechanism in Windows 8 designed to activate disabled features for authorized users, inspired by the red pill from The Matrix movie. It utilized the licensing subsystem to shield under-development features from both internal employees and the public. Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen confirmed the origin of the Redpill codename. The mechanism aimed to restrict access to hidden features, which included enhancements like a new Start menu and a redesigned logon interface. Critics argue that this approach may have limited valuable feedback, contributing to the perception of Windows 8 as a misstep. In contrast, current Windows development trends favor transparency and collaboration.
Winsage
May 28, 2025
Microsoft has launched Windows Backup for Organizations, a backup solution for enterprises currently in limited public preview. It allows organizations to back up and restore user Windows settings after device resets or reimaging, aiming to reduce migration overhead, minimize user disruption, and strengthen device resilience. The tool supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems joined to Microsoft Entra. Companies must register and have an active Microsoft Intune test tenant with administrator permissions to participate in the preview. Microsoft advises organizations to enroll Windows 10 endpoints in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program if they cannot transition to Windows 11 by October 14, 2025, and has announced that home users can also opt for an additional year of security updates through the ESU program for a fee. Additionally, Microsoft introduced a new update orchestration platform to unify the updating system across Windows environments.
Tech Optimizer
May 27, 2025
eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence in content and product recommendations, ensuring financial gain from partner links does not influence information integrity. Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are prominent small business security providers. Microsoft Defender is ideal for larger SMBs, starting at .00 per user per month, while Bitdefender is suited for startups with over 10 employees, starting at .33 per user per month. Microsoft Defender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.7/5 - Pricing: 4.4/5 - Features: 3.4/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.8/5 - Customer Support: 3.7/5 - Features include next-gen antivirus, vulnerability management, and EDR. Bitdefender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.4/5 - Pricing: 3.8/5 - Features: 3/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.4/5 - Customer Support: 4/5 - Features include identity protection, a VPN, and a password manager. Pricing Comparison: - Microsoft Defender: Free Trial: 90 days; Least Expensive Plan: .00/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: .50/user/month; Most Expensive Plan: .00/user/month. - Bitdefender: 30-day money-back guarantee; Least Expensive Plan: .33/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: Not specified; Most Expensive Plan: Not specified. Feature Comparison: - Microsoft Defender offers robust endpoint protection but lacks clarity on web browsing protection and ad-blocking. - Bitdefender offers identity exposure protection, a VPN, and a password manager but also lacks web browsing and ad-blocking features. Ease of Use and Administration: - Microsoft Defender supports macOS, Windows, and Linux Server; Bitdefender supports macOS and Windows but lacks Linux support. Customer Support Comparison: - Microsoft provides phone and live chat support; Bitdefender offers email and chat support, with limited phone support for small business users. Alternative Solutions include Norton, McAfee, and Trend Micro, each offering different features and pricing structures. Evaluation Methodology focused on pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support, with Microsoft winning in pricing, features, and ease of use, while Bitdefender excelled in customer support.
Winsage
May 23, 2025
Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide updates, including security patches and programming fixes, potentially increasing vulnerability to operational failures and cyber threats. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be possible at no additional cost if hardware meets minimum requirements. Companies should consider a migration strategy that balances costs and needs, possibly redistributing older devices for less demanding roles. For server upgrades, it is recommended to consolidate functionalities, utilize physical servers for virtual systems, assess company growth for informed investments, and prioritize redundancy through frequent backups.
Winsage
May 23, 2025
OpenAI has acquired the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, investing [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: This week has seen a fascinating interplay between two titans of artificial intelligence, OpenAI and Google, as they both made significant announcements that reveal much about their competitive dynamics. The backdrop of this rivalry is the remarkable rise of ChatGPT, which has kept Google’s leadership on high alert. As the tech community anticipated Google’s I/O event, there was palpable tension regarding whether Sam Altman of OpenAI would attempt to overshadow Google’s showcase, reminiscent of last year’s pre-I/O event where OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT’s advanced voice capabilities. This year, however, OpenAI chose to make its splash a day later, with news that has quickly shifted the narrative. OpenAI's acquisition of the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, is a strategic move that some might view as a clever act of SEO sabotage. While the name “io” is said to stand for “input output” and was chosen well in advance, the timing of the announcement has undeniably redirected attention from Google’s strong presentation at I/O. The contrasting announcements highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both companies: while Google boasts technically superior models that are more widely utilized, OpenAI excels in capturing public interest and generating buzz. OpenAI's Strategic Moves Delving deeper into OpenAI’s recent announcement reveals a commitment to innovation and talent acquisition. The company is investing .5 billion in equity to onboard approximately 55 individuals from LoveFrom, including notable ex-Apple design leaders such as Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon. These new recruits will work under the guidance of Peter Welinder, a seasoned product leader at OpenAI. Meanwhile, the remaining LoveFrom designers, including renowned figures like Mike Matas, will continue their work with Ive, who is currently engaged in designing the first electric Ferrari and collaborating with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. According to OpenAI’s press release, Ive and his team will take on significant design and creative responsibilities within the organization. Once their existing client commitments are fulfilled, they will focus exclusively on OpenAI while maintaining their independence. OpenAI is also actively seeking new talent for its “future of computing” initiatives, with roles that promise competitive compensation, including a senior research engineer position offering between 0K to 5K plus equity. The timeline leading to this collaboration is noteworthy. Altman and Ive first met two years ago, and discussions about hardware collaboration began last year. The io division was established at LoveFrom to work closely with a select group of OpenAI employees, and investments from OpenAI and Laurene Powell Jobs were made towards the end of 2024. This partnership is poised to yield a voice-first AI device, with prototypes already in existence, suggesting a product that could be as compact as an iPod Shuffle and potentially wearable as a necklace. Additionally, there are plans for AI earbuds, with Altman envisioning a suite of AI-first products designed to reduce reliance on Apple and Google for distribution. Google's Resilience On the other side, Google demonstrated its own resilience during I/O, with the rollout of AI Mode in Google Search. While its product strategy may appear fragmented compared to OpenAI’s cohesive approach, Google is leveraging its vast troves of personal data to enhance the capabilities of its Gemini model. If Gemini can effectively integrate with services like Gmail, Workspace, and YouTube, it could create a compelling reason for users to remain within the Google ecosystem, much like how Meta successfully integrated Stories into Instagram, curtailing Snapchat's growth. Conversations with Google employees revealed a sense of confidence within the organization. While there is an acknowledgment of the challenges posed by OpenAI’s growth, Google’s Gemini is nearing 500 million monthly users. The company appears to be modernizing its search capabilities more swiftly than anticipated, positioning itself for continued leadership in model development. The latest Gemini models are impressive, and Google is preparing for a future that extends beyond traditional smartphones with initiatives like Project Astra. Industry Developments Anthropic also made headlines this week by unveiling its Claude 4 models, which it claims are the best for coding. In a competitive landscape where major players like OpenAI, Google, and Meta vie for dominance, Anthropic is positioning itself as a key provider of AI models. Microsoft Build faced disruptions during its event due to protests against its business dealings with Israel, overshadowing several noteworthy announcements, including the introduction of Elon Musk’s Grok model on Azure. Google’s smart glasses prototype was also showcased, featuring basic voice interactions and navigation capabilities. While still in early development, Google’s partnerships with eyewear brands signal its commitment to advancing augmented reality technology. Personnel Changes YouTube has appointed Justin Connolly from Disney as its head of media and sports, a move that has sparked legal action from Disney. Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, with her responsibilities being assumed by Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff. Vladimir Fedorov, a veteran engineering executive from Meta, has joined Github as CTO. Will Robinson, formerly Coinbase’s VP of engineering, is now the CTO at Plaid. Stephen Deadman, Meta’s VP of data protection in Europe, is departing due to organizational changes." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].5 billion to onboard approximately 55 individuals, including notable ex-Apple design leaders. OpenAI aims to develop a voice-first AI device and AI earbuds, with prototypes already in existence. Google introduced AI Mode in Google Search during its I/O event and is leveraging personal data to enhance its Gemini model, which is nearing 500 million monthly users. Anthropic unveiled its Claude 4 models, claiming they are the best for coding. YouTube appointed Justin Connolly as its head of media and sports, Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, Vladimir Fedorov joined Github as CTO, Will Robinson became the CTO at Plaid, and Stephen Deadman is leaving Meta.
Winsage
May 22, 2025
An employee named Joe Lopez was terminated after protesting during Microsoft's Build developer conference, expressing concerns about the company's technology being used in the Gaza conflict. His disruption led to a series of pro-Palestinian protests at the event, resulting in multiple interruptions of executive talks and Microsoft cutting audio from a livestreamed session. Outside the venue, demonstrators gathered to amplify their message. Microsoft has a history of responding firmly to employee protests related to its operations in Israel and recently acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military but stated that there is no evidence of its technologies being used to target civilians. Following his protest, Lopez received a termination letter that he could not open, and an advocacy group claims Microsoft has restricted internal communications regarding terms like “Palestine” and “Gaza.” Microsoft has not commented on the protests during the conference.
Winsage
May 22, 2025
During Microsoft's annual Build developer conference in Seattle, software engineer Joe Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella's address to protest the company's technology supply to the Israeli military amid the Gaza conflict. Lopez was escorted from the venue after shouting at Nadella. He later sent a mass email to colleagues challenging Microsoft's claims about its Azure cloud platform's use in Gaza. The conference saw multiple interruptions from pro-Palestinian protests, and demonstrators gathered outside. Microsoft acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military but stated there was no evidence linking its technologies to harm in Gaza. Lopez reportedly received a termination letter following his protest, and the advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid claimed Microsoft has restricted internal communications related to Palestine and Gaza.
Winsage
May 22, 2025
Employees at Microsoft have reported issues with emails containing specific keywords related to the Gaza conflict, such as “Palestine,” “Gaza,” “apartheid,” and “genocide,” which were either delayed or missing, while emails with the word “Israel” were unaffected. Delays of up to 45 minutes were noted, and the term “Palestinian” did not trigger the same issues. Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw stated that the company manages politically charged emails and discourages non-work-related discussions. The company's actions have faced criticism for being overly restrictive, especially following employee protests against Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli government. Reports indicated increased use of Microsoft’s Azure services by the Israeli military during the conflict, although Microsoft claimed no evidence of its technology being used to cause harm was found.
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