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BetaBeacon
April 4, 2025
Most Android devices now support Vulkan, with the latest version, Vulkan 1.4, introducing a feature called Host Image Copy that can greatly improve game performance on upcoming Android 16 devices. Host Image Copy allows for faster app loads, reduces stutter, and lowers GPU memory usage by enabling the CPU to copy image data directly between host memory and GPU image memory.
Winsage
February 26, 2025
Windows OS offers extensive customization and upgradability, allowing users to personalize their systems and easily replace components like RAM and storage. It has vast software compatibility, supporting a wide range of applications not available on macOS. Windows is the preferred platform for gaming, with extensive support for games and hardware compatibility. It supports a variety of hardware components, making it more accessible and affordable compared to macOS, which is limited to Apple devices. Windows devices are easier to repair and maintain, with widely available and affordable replacement parts. Additionally, Windows provides better support for power users, allowing advanced control and flexibility in system settings and applications.
Tech Optimizer
February 11, 2025
Microsoft introduced two new open-source extensions for PostgreSQL: pg_documentdb_core, which supports BSON, and pg_documentdb_api, which allows MongoDB-compatible commands for CRUD operations. These extensions will operate on the Azure Cosmos DB PostgreSQL database service and can also be used with FerretDB, an open-source alternative to MongoDB. FerretDB's latest version features performance enhancements of up to 20 times for specific workloads. Andrew Pavlo from Carnegie Mellon University noted that the distinction between document databases and relational systems is diminishing. MongoDB expressed skepticism about Microsoft's offerings, stating that adding an API to a relational database is not true innovation. FerretDB aims to provide a solid foundation for users seeking alternatives to MongoDB. Analysts suggest that while Microsoft's extensions may enhance PostgreSQL's market position, they are unlikely to significantly undermine MongoDB's established presence.
Winsage
February 6, 2025
Microsoft is releasing Windows 11, which includes a significant update to the MIDI system, introducing native support for MIDI 2.0. This is the first major update to the MIDI standard since 1983. The new Windows MIDI Services enhance MIDI 1.0 functionality on ARM-based devices and improve communication between electronic instruments and computers. MIDI 2.0 offers increased speed, better transmission quality, more precise control, and advanced two-way communication capabilities. Microsoft collaborated with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan (AMEI) to develop a robust MIDI class driver and introduced a new networking protocol for MIDI 2.0. Extensive SDK support will facilitate integration of third-party software and hardware. The MIDI architecture is currently being tested and will be included in upcoming Windows updates. Additionally, the latest Canary build of Windows 11 features improvements such as new OneDrive functionality, optimized File Explorer, and options to disable backup reminders.
Winsage
October 9, 2024
Microsoft released a patch for CVE-2024-43572, a vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console, rated Important with a CVSS score of 7.8, allowing remote code execution through malicious MSC files. Another patch was issued for CVE-2024-43573, a Moderate spoofing vulnerability in the Windows MSHTML Platform with a CVSS score of 6.5, affecting multiple Microsoft products. Additionally, three critical vulnerabilities were identified: CVE-2024-43468 in Microsoft Configuration Manager (CVSS score 9.8), CVE-2024-43488 in the Arduino extension for Visual Studio Code (CVSS score 8.8), and CVE-2024-43582 in the Remote Desktop Protocol Server (CVSS score 8.1). The CrowdStrike Falcon® platform introduced a Patch Tuesday dashboard for tracking vulnerabilities, and organizations are encouraged to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity strategies beyond just patching.
Winsage
October 8, 2024
The Surface Duo 2 will no longer receive updates or support from Microsoft after October 21, marking the end of its lifecycle. Launched in October 2021, it received only one major Android OS update, despite its premium price of ,500. The original Surface Duo received updates to Android 11 and Android 12L before its support ended last year. Microsoft has no plans to revive the Surface Duo brand or introduce new Android hardware. This is the second time Microsoft has exited the smartphone market, following the discontinuation of Windows Phone and Lumia devices in 2017.
Winsage
August 22, 2024
Windows 11 users often seek alternatives to the default applications due to limited functionality and usability. The process of changing default apps differs between Windows 10 and 11; Windows 11 requires users to set a default app for each file type individually. The default media player, Movies & TV app, has limitations such as lack of codec support and missing features like conversion tools. Recommended alternatives include VLC Media Player and PotPlayer. Microsoft Edge is underutilized, with only 15% of users opting for it, while alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera GX, and Vivaldi are popular. Microsoft's Clipchamp is a basic video editor, with Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve as better options for complex editing. The Photos app is the default image editor, with Adobe Photoshop as the premium choice and GIMP and Canva as free alternatives. Windows 11's screen recording tools, like Xbox Game Bar, may underperform, while OBS Studio and Nvidia's GeForce Experience's ShadowPlay offer better options.
Winsage
August 15, 2024
Microsoft's August 2024 Patch Tuesday addressed 85 vulnerabilities, including six zero-day exploits. The vulnerabilities are categorized as CVE-2024-38213, CVE-2024-38193, CVE-2024-38189, CVE-2024-38178, CVE-2024-38107, and CVE-2024-38106. Six vulnerabilities are classified as Critical, while the remaining 79 are rated Important or Moderate. The predominant risk types include elevation of privilege (37%) and remote code execution (35%). Windows products received 43 patches, with 21 for the Extended Security Update (ESU) and 8 for Microsoft Office. Notable zero-day vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2024-38189 in Microsoft Project (CVSS 8.8) allows remote code execution. - CVE-2024-38193 in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (CVSS 7.8) allows privilege escalation. - CVE-2024-38107 in Windows Power Dependency Coordinator (CVSS 7.8) allows privilege escalation. - CVE-2024-38178 in the Scripting Engine (CVSS 7.5) allows remote code execution. - CVE-2024-38106 in the Windows kernel (CVSS 7.0) allows privilege escalation. - CVE-2024-38213 in Windows Mark of the Web Security (CVSS 6.5) allows security warning bypass. Critical vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2024-38063 (CVSS 9.8) in Windows TCP/IP allows remote code execution. - CVE-2024-38140 (CVSS 9.8) in Windows Reliable Multicast Transport Driver allows remote code execution. - CVE-2024-38109 (CVSS 9.1) in Azure Health Bot allows privilege escalation. - CVE-2024-38159 and CVE-2024-38160 (both CVSS 9.1) in Windows Network Virtualization allow remote code execution. - CVE-2023-40547 (CVSS 8.8) impacts Secure Boot. Additional vulnerabilities with existing proof of concept include: - CVE-2024-38199 (CVSS 9.8) in Windows Line Printer Daemon allows remote code execution. - CVE-2024-38202 (CVSS 7.3) in Windows Update Stack allows privilege escalation. - CVE-2024-21302 (CVSS 6.7) in Windows Secure Kernel Mode allows privilege escalation.
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