price increase Archives

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft Build 2025: What to expect, from Azure to Copilot upgrades

Microsoft's annual Build developer conference will occur from May 19 to 22, focusing on new AI integrations, services, and applications for Windows. Last year's conference featured the integration of Copilot into Microsoft Teams and the introduction of AI-powered PCs. This year, deeper integrations of Copilot generative AI are expected, catering to consumer and enterprise needs. Keynotes will be streamed online for free. Microsoft raised prices on various software products by 5% last November and may use new AI features to justify these increases. Copilot is anticipated to have significant enhancements, with reports suggesting Microsoft is considering alternative AI models from xAI, Meta, Anthropic, and DeepSeek. Copilot may gain “agentic” capabilities for executing basic PC tasks, with references to an Action button found in the Copilot client for Windows. Microsoft is rumored to have developed a suite of models called MAI to compete with OpenAI’s offerings, potentially to be unveiled at Build. There are also rumors about a successor to the Azure Maia 100 AI Accelerator, possibly named “Maia 2,” with Marvell contracted for its production.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

TOS 6 in public preview for ARM shows we’re going to see many more NAS

Tailscale simplifies remote access to self-hosted services for home lab enthusiasts by eliminating the complexities of port forwarding and CGNAT issues. Nintendo's Switch 2 pricing strategy has faced backlash, while Sony has raised PlayStation 5 prices in Europe for both digital and disc editions. Microsoft removed the seconds display from the Windows 10 taskbar clock, prompting user dissatisfaction as part of a strategy to encourage upgrades to Windows 11. Windows 11 is set to receive a redesigned Start menu with features based on user feedback, although the implementation delay raises concerns. Google's phone app has improved spam filtering, particularly noted in regions like Portugal, despite occasional notification delays. Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5060 series shows promising thermal performance, but pricing details are still unclear. Beginners in 3D printing can benefit from using tree supports for intricate models to enhance the printing process. Discussions around effective backup strategies are crucial for data security, especially highlighted by World Backup Day. The General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI) introduced at CES 2025 may change A/V connectivity standards, particularly in China, while its adoption in Western markets is uncertain. The PocketCloud NAS features a docking station with an M.2 SSD slot, allowing for versatile data storage solutions.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Windows 10 PC can’t be upgraded? You have 5 options and 6 months to take action

The official end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, after which all editions will cease to receive technical support and security updates. Users can choose to continue using Windows 10 without updates, buy a new PC or rent a virtual PC, switch to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, pay Microsoft for Extended Security Updates (ESUs), or upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11 through specific methods. Microsoft will offer ESUs for Windows 10 at a cost, with reduced rates for educational institutions and higher prices for business customers. Users can bypass compatibility restrictions to upgrade to Windows 11 by making registry edits and using tools like Rufus for clean installations.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

You Can Now Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Free on Windows

Microsoft has introduced free, ad-supported versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows users, which require saving documents to OneDrive. These versions have significant limitations: Word lacks Dictate, Line spacing, WordArt, and all Draw and Design tools; Excel is missing Add-in support, Pivot Table functionality, and various chart types; PowerPoint excludes Add-ins, Dictate, Screenshot, and SmartArt. Users can use these apps offline, but they represent a compromise between Office Web Apps and the full desktop Office suite. The release coincides with a price increase for Microsoft 365 subscriptions and the distribution of AI credits for accessing Copilot features. To install, users must visit the Microsoft 365 website, skip the sign-in prompt, and agree to save documents to OneDrive to access editing features. There have been reports of inconsistencies in the installation process across different regions.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

You have to pay for Windows Notepad if you want to use AI

Microsoft has introduced AI features to Notepad, prompting users to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to access functionalities like Rewrite. While the basic functions of Notepad remain free, AI-powered features require a subscription. Users have expressed confusion over subscription prompts that disrupt the user experience. Notepad continues to operate without a Microsoft account, but accessing Rewrite requires "AI credits," which necessitate a subscription. Initially, Microsoft provided 50 credits for users to try Rewrite, but these credits have since expired for many. Microsoft describes Rewrite and other AI features as "bonus features," but the subscription prompts have raised concerns about user experience, especially following a price increase for Microsoft 365.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2025

Best Antivirus Software for 2025: Top Picks for Protection

In 2025, the top antivirus software options include: - McAfee Plus Premium: Best overall protection with unlimited device coverage, perfect scores in AV-Test evaluations, includes a VPN and password manager. Price: .99 for the first year, 9.99 annually thereafter. - Bitdefender Ultimate Security: Best for Windows users, offers comprehensive protection with a VPN and anti-fraud tools. Price: .99 for the first year, .99 annually thereafter, covering up to 10 devices. - Norton 360 with LifeLock Select: Best for cross-platform security, includes a VPN, password manager, and identity theft protection. Price: .99 per year for 10 devices, with an introductory offer of .99 for the first year. - AVG Internet Security: Best for advanced customization, includes firewall and webcam protection. Price: .99 for the first year, .99 annually thereafter for 10 devices. - Avira Free Antivirus: Best free antivirus option, providing essential protection against online threats. The paid version, Avira Internet Security, costs .99 for the first year and .99 annually thereafter for one device.

Winsage

November 27, 2024

Windows 10’s farewell tour set to drive laptop sales in 2025

The global laptop market is expected to grow by 4.9 percent in 2025, driven by commercial upgrade cycles and the end of life for Windows 10. TrendForce predicts a recovery in laptop shipments starting late 2024, with annual shipments reaching 174 million units in 2024, a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year. By 2025, shipments are forecasted to rise to 183 million units. Despite this growth, demand for AI-capable devices remains limited, with businesses hesitant to pay a premium for AI PCs, which currently have a price increase of 10-15 percent over standard models. AI-capable PCs accounted for 20 percent of shipments to distributors in Q3 2024. The laptop market is significantly influenced by US trade policies, with China producing approximately 89 percent of total laptop manufacturing capacity.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

AMD admits its chips actually have gaming ‘parity’ with Intel’s 14th Gen, suggests lacklustre Ryzen 9000 performance could be because we’re not fiddling with Windows’ backend

AMD's 9000-series CPUs have not significantly outperformed the previous 7000-series chips, despite a price increase. The company initially claimed a 9% average generational uplift in 1080p gaming and a 6% performance advantage over competitors. AMD suggested using a "hidden Administrator account" for optimal performance, raising questions about the validity of performance testing under standard user accounts. Concerns were raised that this approach could inflate performance metrics. AMD has revised its gaming performance assessments and announced that optimized branch prediction code will be available in Windows 11, version 24H2, which may provide a modest performance boost of 2-3%.

AppWizard

July 22, 2024

Microsoft says FTC’s Game Pass complaints are “misleading”

Microsoft responded to the FTC complaint regarding the increased costs of its Game Pass subscription service, refuting claims that the new tier offers fewer features. The company argued that the new tier actually includes more features, such as access to multiplayer. Microsoft emphasized that the price increase for Game Pass Ultimate will be offset by the addition of new games available on the service 'day-and-date,' including highly anticipated titles like Call of Duty. The company also clarified that the subscription market was not part of the FTC's objections to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft defended its position by highlighting that there is no evidence of harm to competition, as Sony's subscription service continues to thrive despite Microsoft's offerings.

Tech Optimizer

July 21, 2024

McAfee+ Premium review: Is it worth it? | Digital Trends

McAfee offers several price tiers, including family plans for each. The McAfee Essential plan is good for one device for the first year at a cost of , with a big price increase upon renewal. McAfee also offers a 30-day free trial and additional plans for multiple devices, including a plan for unlimited devices for one person. McAfee also offers family plans that cover two adults with parental controls.