software ecosystem Archives

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft extends Office support on Windows 10 through 2028

Windows 10 users will lose official support and security updates from Microsoft on October 14, 2025. However, users of Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will receive updates and support until October 2028. Windows Defender malware definitions will also be available to Windows 10 users through at least October 2028. For perpetually licensed versions of Office, support timelines are as follows: Office 2021 will be supported until October 2026, and Office 2024 until October 2029.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

Huawei unveils a HarmonyOS laptop, its first Windows-free computer

Huawei Technologies has launched its first laptop powered by HarmonyOS, following the expiration of its Microsoft Windows license in March. The laptop features HarmonyOS 5 and includes an AI assistant named Celia, which can create presentation slides, summarize meeting minutes, and retrieve information from local documents. It supports various software applications, including WPS and DingTalk, and is expected to integrate with over 2,000 mobile applications available on HarmonyOS smartphones by the end of the year.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft has no plans to fix Windows RDP bug that lets you log in with old passwords

Microsoft has decided not to address a significant security flaw in the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) that allows users to log in with outdated, cached passwords, even after those passwords have been changed. The company claims this behavior is intentional, designed to prevent users from being locked out of their machines. Microsoft does not consider this a security vulnerability, despite concerns that it creates a potential backdoor for unauthorized access. The issue has been known to Microsoft since at least August 2023, but they chose not to modify the functionality due to compatibility concerns with existing applications.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

App Developer Magazine may 2025

Google's Play Store has undergone a significant overhaul, resulting in a 47% reduction in app listings due to stricter enforcement, enhanced developer verification, and AI-driven moderation. This change aligns Google more closely with Apple's curated ecosystem. New tools in the Play Console Insights are designed to improve app performance for developers. Apple has achieved a milestone in emissions reduction and is preparing for WWDC 2025 on June 9. Blizzard's Diablo 4 has introduced a new mechanic called Piranhado, and SEMO has launched a game development degree program. Nutrient is expanding its cloud services, and student-led initiatives are addressing cybersecurity threats in universities. AI developments include a smart builder for converting spreadsheets into applications and AutonomyAI's autonomous agent platform.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Get HyperOS 2 Android 16 Beta 2 apps today on any Xiaomi device

Xiaomi has released system apps from the HyperOS 2 Beta 16 Android build, allowing users to enhance their devices without flashing the entire beta ROM. The updated applications include: Productivity Apps: - Note (v1.2.6.8) - Premium note-taking features. - Calculator (v15.3.4) - Smarter calculation functions. - Calendar (v16.0.20.10) - Improved scheduling and reminders. - File Explorer (v7.0.4.7) - Efficient file management. Media & Entertainment: - Browser (v19.1.90312) - Enhanced web surfing speed and protection. - Media Editor (v1.8.10.16) - Advanced photo and video editing capabilities. - Gallery (v25100112) - AI photo organization. - Screen Recorder (v2.14.2.4.1) - Smooth screen recording. System Utilities: - Theme Store (v18.0) - Access to new themes for HyperOS 2. - System Updater (v8.8.9) - Improved update process. - Weather (v16.0.5.8) - More accurate forecasting. - Mirror (v17.00.01) - Low-latency screen casting. - Sound Recorder (v6.2.5) - High-quality recordings with noise reduction. - Mi Share (v3.7.1) - Quicker file sharing between devices. - Quick Search (v10.12.1.03137) - Enhanced search functionality. - Always-on Display (RELEASE-2228.3.0.0) - New designs for the feature. - Security Center (v10.7.3-250325.0.1) - Strengthened device protection. - Mi Wallpaper (v4.4.4.1-ALPHA) - Dynamic wallpapers. - MIUI Home Launcher (RELEASE-5.39.31.10941) - Refined home screen experience. - Package Installer (v5.3.3.0.0) - Safer app installation process. To install these apps, users must download the APKs, enable "Install from Unknown Sources," install each APK individually, and restart the device. Each application has been optimized for performance with reasonable file sizes.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

Hyundai’s new Android-based infotainment software looks like Tesla’s.

Hyundai Motor Group will launch its Android-based infotainment software, Pleos Connect, in the second quarter of 2026. It is built on Google’s Android Automotive OS and aims to enhance connectivity within vehicles and with urban infrastructure. The software features an intuitive design, cloud integration for real-time updates, customizable user experiences, and enhanced connectivity for various applications and services. An annual conference has been inaugurated to expedite the development of Pleos and the broader “Cloud Mobility” software ecosystem.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Huawei Continues Its Move Away From American Software

Huawei is shifting away from reliance on American software and is preparing to introduce alternatives to Microsoft Windows due to being placed on the U.S. Entity List, which limits its access to American software and services. Since launching HarmonyOS in 2021, Huawei is now set to launch its own desktop operating systems as its Microsoft license nears expiration, making it unlikely to receive an extension. Huawei plans to expand HarmonyOS into desktop and laptop PCs, potentially using the Android Open Source Project as a foundation, and may also consider various Linux distributions as alternatives to Windows. This shift could impact Microsoft's market share, especially in regions outside the U.S., and may provide opportunities for Linux to gain popularity as it closes the functionality gap with Windows.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft tests ad-supported Office apps for Windows users

Microsoft has introduced ad-supported versions of its Office desktop applications, allowing Windows users to edit documents without a subscription. These applications will display advertisements in a vertical panel on the right side of the window and include prompts encouraging users to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to remove ads. Users must download and install Microsoft 365 to access these applications, and they can choose to skip the sign-in process for free access. However, a subscription is required to save documents edited with these applications directly to local drives. The ad-supported versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint have limited functionality compared to the full versions. Reports suggest that the availability of these applications may be part of a regional test, as some outlets could not replicate the findings. Additionally, Microsoft has a history of integrating ads into its products, including in the Windows 11 Start menu and Windows File Explorer.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft launches ad-supported Office apps for Windows users

Microsoft has introduced ad-supported versions of its Office desktop applications for Windows users, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These applications display advertisements in a vertical panel on the right side of the window while users work. Users are encouraged to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to remove ads, with saving edited documents limited to OneDrive unless a paid subscription is chosen. The ad-supported versions come with basic functionality and restrictions compared to the full versions. Microsoft has previously integrated advertisements into its products, including the Windows 11 Start menu and Windows File Explorer.

Winsage

December 14, 2024

Rising to the TOPS: How will NPUs and Windows AI grow in 2025?

In 2024, Microsoft introduced the "Copilot+ PC" branding for AI-capable laptops, while Apple launched Apple Intelligence. These developments have led to mixed outcomes, with features like real-time translations and on-device speech-to-text being beneficial, but others, such as Windows Recall, still proving their value. By 2025, mainstream developers are expected to integrate on-device AI into Windows applications, influencing consumer purchasing decisions. The term "TOPS" (Trillions of Operations Per Second) is becoming important for evaluating the AI performance of Windows laptops, with a minimum of 40 TOPS required for Microsoft's "Copilot PC+" designation. Qualcomm's Copilot+ PCs reported around 45 TOPS, significantly higher than Intel's 11 TOPS. By the end of 2024, premium Windows laptops are expected to see a three- to four-fold increase in NPU performance compared to 2023 models. Analysts speculate further performance improvements may occur towards the end of 2025. Despite the potential for a two- to three-fold enhancement in on-device AI performance, experts caution against overemphasizing TOPS figures, which may not accurately reflect real-world performance. The lack of a unified API for leveraging NPU capabilities in Windows complicates matters for users of Copilot+ laptops without Qualcomm chips. Although AMD and Intel have released competitive chips, Qualcomm currently holds an advantage with exclusive support for certain applications. Microsoft is promoting its low-level machine learning API (DirectML) and the Windows Copilot Runtime, which may enhance the Copilot+ PC ecosystem. While cloud-based AI solutions remain an option, the cost of these services is expected to rise, making on-device AI more appealing. The introduction of ChatGPT Pro highlights the financial implications of cloud access compared to on-device NPU usage, which incurs no additional costs. The pace of on-device AI adoption in Windows' software ecosystem is anticipated to accelerate in 2025.