software development Archives

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft, turning 50, dials up Copilot actions to stay in AI game

Thousands gathered at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters for a demonstration of a new Excel feature that allows users to sum numbers with a click. The event celebrated Microsoft’s 50th anniversary and highlighted the AI assistant Copilot, which will receive new features for personalization, including remembering personal details, offering reminders, and task delegation. Microsoft is leveraging its technical groundwork to enhance its AI solutions, despite past challenges such as a 1998 antitrust lawsuit and competition from companies like Alphabet and OpenAI. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration for the future. The consumer version of Copilot is designed to have a “warm” personality, though it has been noted to be overly inquisitive at times.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

How Bill Gates, the Altair 8800 and BASIC propelled me into the PC revolution

The Altair 8800, introduced by Ed Roberts in 1974, was a groundbreaking personal computer that allowed everyday individuals to own and interact with computers, marking the beginning of the personal computer era. Bill Gates and Paul Allen recognized its potential and created a BASIC interpreter to enable users to engage with their machines. An engineer, initially interested in nuclear reactors, built his own Altair 8800 by scavenging parts and hand-soldering, highlighting the significance of programming languages like BASIC in making computing accessible. Gates and Allen's work on BASIC simplified programming and contributed to the proliferation of personal computers. Gates later advised the engineer on the importance of cash flow for startups, guiding him in his transition to software development. BASIC served as a gateway for many into computing, influencing countless careers in the tech industry.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Forget Satya Nadella’s Windows Phone fumble, Bill Gates’ “greatest mistake of all time” cost Microsoft $400 billion

CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged a strategic error in discontinuing the Windows Phone during its peak popularity. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, identified his greatest mistake as failing to dominate the mobile space, which allowed Android to take the lead. Gates attributed this failure to his mismanagement and antitrust challenges that hindered Microsoft's growth. Android, acquired by Google in 2005 and launched in 2008, is now the world's most popular operating system, holding a market share of 45.53%, compared to Windows' 25.36%. Gates conceded that Microsoft's missed opportunity in the mobile sector could have positioned the company as a leader. Rich Miner, co-founder of Android, criticized Gates for his misplaced lamentations regarding Microsoft's mobile missteps.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Is it time to ditch Windows File Explorer? 6 signs you’ve outgrown it

Windows File Explorer is the default file management tool for Windows but often disappoints power users due to several limitations. The search function is slow, taking several minutes for results, especially in large folders or external drives, and requires careful configuration of indexing settings. Customization options are limited, lacking advanced features like split views or custom color labels, while third-party tools offer extensive customization. File Explorer's reliance on traditional folder structures is outdated, missing features like tagging or smart folders, which are crucial for professionals in creative fields. File transfers can be frustrating, with stalls and unpredictable speeds, whereas alternatives like TeraCopy provide faster and more reliable transfers. Filtering and sorting options are basic and insufficient for managing large collections, lacking advanced capabilities found in third-party explorers. Additionally, the absence of dual-pane navigation hinders efficiency, despite recent updates introducing tab functionality.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Looking back at Windows Longhorn

Retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the Windows Longhorn project, which aimed to succeed Windows XP but faced significant challenges. Longhorn was envisioned to overhaul the user experience and introduce features like WinFS for content-based file searching. However, the simultaneous development of many new features led to a fragile and bloated codebase, making it difficult to use in daily operations. A 2002 memo from Bill Gates prioritizing security diverted resources from Longhorn, further complicating development. Ultimately, in August 2004, Microsoft scrapped the existing Longhorn codebase in favor of the Windows Server 2003 SP1 codebase, integrating select Longhorn features. The project resulted in Windows Vista, which retained some Longhorn features while discarding others. Plummer reflected on the mixed legacy of Longhorn, acknowledging its failures and the lessons learned that shaped Microsoft's future practices.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

What you need to know about One UI 7: Software is hard

Samsung initially aimed to deliver the One UI 7 update to eligible Galaxy S phones by Q1 2025, but this timeline will not be met, with a new expected arrival date in April. The recent launch of the Galaxy S25, which includes the update, has added to user frustration. Users have formed distinct groups in response to the situation: some vow to stop purchasing Samsung devices, others rationalize the delays by blaming Google, and some remain indifferent as long as their devices function properly. The situation highlights issues in communication and transparency from Samsung regarding software updates.

AppWizard

March 22, 2025

Valve CMO threatened the company would walk away from games if it didn’t own the rights to Half-Life—’It wasn’t an idle threat—we weren’t going to take on all of the risk to make other people rich’

Monica Harrington, a founding member and the first chief marketing officer of Valve, shared a pivotal moment from the company's early years during her presentation at the 2025 Game Developer's Conference. She realized she had not fully understood key aspects of the agreement with publisher Sierra regarding the distribution of Half-Life, which prompted her to initiate a legal fight for the Half-Life intellectual property rights to ensure Valve's long-term success.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Microsoft’s DirectX update could double ray tracing performance in PC games

DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is a rendering API developed by Microsoft that aims to improve ray tracing efficiency in gaming. It introduces enhancements such as opacity micromaps, which can increase performance by up to 2.3 times in path-based gaming, and shader execution reordering, which could double performance in certain scenarios. Nvidia has committed to providing driver support for this API across its GeForce RTX GPU lineup, and Microsoft is also working with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm for compatibility. Additionally, techniques like neural block texture compression and neural supersampling are being explored to enhance real-time path tracing. A preview software development kit for DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is set to be released in April.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

New ways to collaborate and get creative with Gemini

Gemini is a tool for content creation that allows users to generate high-quality first drafts and refine their work quickly through an intuitive feedback mechanism. It offers editing tools to adjust tone, length, and formatting easily. Gemini is useful for crafting speeches, revising essays, and enhancing blog posts and reports. Additionally, it aids in programming and software development by excelling in code generation, debugging, and providing explanations. With the introduction of Canvas, users can create web apps, Python scripts, games, and simulations efficiently. Canvas allows for the generation and preview of HTML/React code, enabling users to visualize their designs and make instant updates. This platform simplifies the coding process, promoting collaboration and innovation by allowing users to create, edit, and share their code and designs in one place.

Winsage

March 17, 2025

Today in Apple history: Microsoft gets sued for ripping off Mac OS

The development of the Macintosh in the early 1980s led to a correspondence between Bill Gates and John Sculley regarding the licensing of the Macintosh operating system. Sculley showed cautious interest in Gates' proposal, but it was dismissed by Jean-Louis Gassée on June 25, 1985. Gates then focused on creating a mass-market operating system, resulting in the debut of Windows on November 15, 1985. The introduction of Windows provoked a strong reaction from Sculley, despite Windows 1.0 being inferior to Mac OS. On November 21, 1985, Sculley and Gates formalized an agreement licensing Macintosh's visual displays to Microsoft, which included a non-exclusive license for Microsoft to use aspects of Mac technology. As Windows 2.0 was released, Apple filed a lawsuit against Microsoft on March 17, 1988, claiming appropriation of its innovations, but the court ruled in favor of Microsoft, stating that the existing license covered certain interface elements.