evolution of technology Archives

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft’s Family Safety app is blocking Chrome on Windows PCs

Mark has over 30 years of experience in technology journalism, with the last 10 years at PCWorld where he has written more than 3,500 articles on topics like PC microprocessors and Microsoft Windows. He has also contributed to publications such as PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News. Mark received the Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. Recently, he had to part with several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs due to his office reaching capacity.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Trending tickers: The latest investor updates on Microsoft, Pfizer, Foxconn, CATL and Vodafone

Microsoft unveiled a vision for AI agents at its annual Build conference, highlighting their potential to operate across various contexts and enhance productivity. The company announced the availability of Grok 3, an AI model from Elon Musk's xAI, on its Azure AI Foundry marketplace. Microsoft shares closed up 1% on Monday. Pfizer entered an exclusive licensing agreement with 3SBio for an experimental cancer treatment, SSGJ-707, with an upfront payment of 4 million and potential additional payments of up to .8 billion. Following the announcement, shares of 3SBio surged over 32%. Foxconn plans to invest nearly .5 billion in its Indian operations, acquiring shares in Yuzhan Technology India as Apple shifts some iPhone assembly from China to India. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) shares rose 16.4% in its market debut, raising billion in the largest IPO of the year. Vodafone reported a full-year operating loss of €411 million, down from a €3.67 billion profit the previous year, attributed to non-cash impairment charges. Despite this, Vodafone launched a €2 billion share buyback program, leading to a 1.6% increase in its shares.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

SAG-AFTRA union files complaint against Epic over Darth Vader Fortnite AI voice work

SAG-AFTRA has filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Epic Games for using artificial intelligence to voice Darth Vader in Fortnite without prior notice or negotiation. The union emphasizes the need to protect performers' rights and accused Epic Games of failing to engage in good faith negotiations regarding changes to employment terms, specifically the replacement of human actors with AI-generated voices.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft moved the goalposts before. Could it happen again?

Retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer has expressed concerns about the hardware requirements for Windows 11, questioning whether they are genuinely for security or a sales strategy. He noted that many PCs excluded from compatibility due to the lack of TPM 2.0 or modern CPUs are not necessarily old or underpowered. Plummer highlighted that Microsoft's history of discontinuing support for older operating systems, like Windows XP and 7, was typically based on security and compatibility challenges. He warned that future versions of Windows could impose even stricter hardware demands, potentially leaving many functional PCs unable to upgrade. Additionally, he pointed out the ambiguity behind Microsoft's refusal to allow users to opt out of security enhancements if they lack the necessary hardware, raising concerns about potential e-waste. Many users are hesitant to transition to Windows 11, and while hardware compatibility is a factor, it is part of a broader decision-making process. Microsoft’s shift towards a subscription model and the introduction of new hardware requirements suggest a significant evolution in Windows.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Even now, Windows Vista is the most hated OS, and here’s why

Windows Vista was developed as a successor to Windows XP and was originally codenamed "Longhorn." The project faced significant challenges, leading Microsoft to abandon the original XP framework in favor of a foundation based on Windows Server. Despite its ambitious goals, Vista struggled to achieve a positive reception in the industry. The video explores Vista's development, its mixed legacy, and the lessons learned from its challenges in software development.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows Weekly 927: Up to Stuff

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed Microsoft's recent innovations, including the Windows 11 Feature Tracker, insights from Microsoft Build, advancements in consumer AI, and updates from the gaming sector, particularly Xbox. A new free newsletter offers three time-saving tips every Friday, and subscribers receive complimentary copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides. The Windows 11 Feature Tracker aims to be a comprehensive resource and may evolve into a web app or wiki. The Windows Insider Program's Beta build for 23H2 introduces changes to file new tabs and new windows, while a nostalgic taskbar icon scaling feature is returning in the Dev and Beta (24H2) versions. Intel has discontinued its Unison app and service. The Build session catalog emphasizes AI developments, with sessions covering Windows Copilot Runtime and productivity enhancements. Microsoft unveiled new Copilot features at a consumer AI event, including web actions and memory personalization, and integrated Copilot Search into Bing. Concerns about AI's impact on human intelligence were discussed, particularly in relation to a Twitter debate on Microsoft's AI demo of Quake II. Microsoft announced an Xbox Games Showcase for June, with updates to the Edge Game Assist feature and GTA V available on Game Pass starting April 15. The Nintendo Switch 2 will support ray tracing and DLSS, though its release is delayed due to tariff challenges. Apple Music for Windows now supports Dolby Atmos, and notable software includes Notion, Typora/iA Writer, and Proton Pass. This week's RunAs Radio episode focuses on Application Risk in Security Copilot. The Heart Cut #02 from the East London Liquor Company is recommended for a unique tasting experience.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Koto crafts bold 50th anniversary identity for Microsoft, celebrating its past and future

Global design studio Koto has created a new identity for Microsoft's 50th anniversary, celebrating the company's influence and legacy while recognizing current innovators. The campaign is centered around the phrase "Change Needs Makers," emphasizing the contributions of individuals behind Microsoft's software and cultural innovations, especially in the context of AI. Koto's design strategy includes three storytelling structures: "Worlds," which showcases technology's potential; "Iconic Moments," highlighting significant achievements; and "Then & Now," contrasting different eras of the company. The visual identity features a 50th-anniversary logo inspired by the original Windows design, modernized with 3D elements, and uses Segoe Sans Display typography along with a vibrant palette of gradients. The campaign aims to connect Microsoft's past, present, and future, focusing on continuous innovation and inviting the next generation to shape what comes next. Koto has previously developed identities for brands like Google Gemini, Netflix, and Venmo.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

‘We coded day and night for the two months to create the software we had said already existed’: The history of Microsoft reminds me how far we’ve come in just 50 years

Tomorrow, April 4, 2025, Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary. Bill Gates has released a downloadable PDF of the original source code that started the company, which was initially named 'Micro-Soft'. The original code was created for the Altair 8800 using a teleprinter. Gates and Paul Allen developed the Altair BASIC interpreter, their first product, which aimed to democratize computing. They worked for two months to create the software after promising MITS a product that did not yet exist. Their collaborative effort laid the foundation for significant technological advancements over the past five decades.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Microsoft at 50: how adaptability under Nadella is paying off

Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft fifty years ago to sell a version of the Basic computer language for the Altair. Microsoft has evolved from its initial focus on PC software to commanding a vast network of global data centers and recently investing in generative AI. The company faced challenges from the rise of the internet and smartphones, which shifted focus away from PCs, leading to stagnation in its stock price. Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014 and shifted Microsoft towards a cloud-first strategy, embracing open-source software and partnering with OpenAI for exclusive access to AI models. Under his leadership, Microsoft has adapted to changes in the tech landscape, although the impact of generative AI remains uncertain. Since Nadella's appointment, Microsoft's stock price has increased tenfold, raising its market value to nearly .8 trillion.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft offers Windows 10 users a year of security updates for $30

Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025, with no further critical security updates provided. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for personal users, allowing them to pay an annual fee for an additional year of security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. This program is a first for individual users, as previous ESU offerings were only available for commercial clients, who can purchase up to three years of support. Microsoft will also provide security intelligence updates for Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 until at least October 2028. The company encourages users to transition to Windows 11.