tech industry Archives

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Is adding SteamOS enough to ‘fix’ the Legion Go S?

A leading tech company plans to expand its operations into emerging markets to enhance its global footprint and tap into a growing consumer base. Key factors driving this expansion include increased internet penetration and smartphone usage, a young tech-savvy population, and the competitive advantage of early market entry. The company will invest in local partnerships and talent development to tailor its offerings to each market. Industry analysts are optimistic about potential revenue and market share growth from this initiative.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2025

Microsoft Defender deactivated by new tool

The OpenEoX Technical Committee, part of OASIS, has introduced a draft framework to standardize end-of-life security notices for software and hardware, involving companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, IBM, Dell, and RedHat. The framework aims to provide clear communication about the security status of technology, helping organizations manage risks associated with legacy systems. It outlines a structured approach for notifying users about end-of-life status, enabling informed decisions on upgrades or replacements to improve security.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2025

A spoof antivirus makes Windows Defender disable security scans

A researcher known as es3n1n explored Windows security mechanisms to bypass antivirus software validation checks in the Windows Security Center (WSC). He used tools like dnSpy and Process Monitor to analyze how legitimate antivirus solutions register with WSC. He confirmed that WSC validates the signatures of processes calling its APIs. Previously, es3n1n faced controversy when his project, no-defender, was removed from GitHub due to a DMCA takedown request from a software vendor.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Microsoft cuts 3% of workforce

Microsoft has announced a reduction in its workforce by three percent, equating to approximately 6,840 positions, as part of its strategic efforts to align with market dynamics. As of June 2024, Microsoft employed around 228,000 individuals. A WARN notice has been filed in Washington state, indicating that 1,985 employees will be affected, though it is unclear if this number pertains only to Washington or the entire U.S. In January 2023, Microsoft cut 10,000 jobs (4.5% of its workforce), followed by 1,900 positions in January 2024 within its gaming division, and another 650 employees by September 2024. Further layoffs are expected to be announced in January 2025.

AppWizard

May 11, 2025

Xbox is giving away $214 worth of its PC games for just $10, including a Metroidvania banger and the best game from Marvel’s Spider-Man devs

A new Humble Bundle offers a collection of Xbox Game Studios titles valued at approximately £161 for £8. The bundle includes games such as Wasteland 3, As Dusk Falls, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, Broken Age, Battletoads, and Quantum Break. It will be available for 12 days, and each purchase supports Gameheads, an organization that promotes diversity in the tech industry through video game design and development training for youth of color.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Huawei to unveil PC with HarmonyOS now that Windows is out of reach

Huawei Technologies will unveil its first personal computer on May 19, powered by its in-house operating system, HarmonyOS, due to the inability to renew its contract with Microsoft for Windows because of U.S. sanctions. The project has been in development for five years with the efforts of over 10,000 engineers, expanding the HarmonyOS ecosystem beyond smartphones and tablets into personal computing.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft at 50: the 4 worst train wrecks in the company’s history

His public persona included performances like the “Monkey Boy Dance” and the “Developers” video, which gained viral attention but also led to ridicule. During his leadership, Microsoft experienced a decline, losing market share in internet search to Google, social networking to Meta, and mobile computing to Apple. Microsoft had previously dominated the tech industry with MS-DOS and Windows, but failures in its operating systems had significant repercussions for the company and the tech landscape.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Why CEO of $40 billion company that caused biggest-ever Windows outage wishes he had joined Microsoft before going to law school

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince reflected on his career decisions, expressing regret for not gaining experience at a larger company before pursuing graduate studies. He received job offers from companies like Yahoo, Microsoft, and Netscape but declined them to attend the University of Chicago Law School, aiming to become a cybersecurity lawyer. In an interview, he noted that working at a mid-sized company during the dot-com boom could have provided valuable experience and networking opportunities. Despite not regretting his later job rejections, he acknowledged that his law degree has been crucial for navigating legal challenges in his company. Prince believes that experiencing a dynamic work environment could have accelerated his career.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

6 first world Windows 11 problems I desperately want Microsoft to fix

Windows 11 creates local user directories using the first five letters of a user's email address instead of their actual name, which can be frustrating for users. The Taskbar thumbnail preview animations are lacking fluidity compared to previous Windows versions. Dark mode is inconsistent, with light mode interfaces appearing in various parts of the OS. Task View and Virtual Desktops animations can be choppy on systems without dedicated graphics cards. The transition between the Start menu and the Search pane feels abrupt and unrefined. Additionally, ads within Windows 11 lack personalization, leading to frustration for users who already subscribe to Microsoft services.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

When Microsoft made the Windows as a Service pivot

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the company's shift from paid upgrades to a Windows as a Service model, highlighting the challenges faced after the success of Windows 7 and the disappointing reception of Windows 8. He noted that Microsoft made Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, which allowed the company to gather valuable telemetry data while introducing users to subscription services. However, the telemetry raised privacy concerns among users, as it included advertising and upsell mechanisms. Plummer expressed a desire for a version of Windows Pro without telemetry and advertising, indicating he would pay for such a product. He also mentioned that the transition to a service model helped address piracy by offering free upgrades to users with non-genuine copies of Windows.