➀ Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in one year; ➁ Users will no longer receive security updates or technical support; ➂ Users have options to upgrade to Windows 11, switch to Linux or macOS, or purchase extended support for Windows 10.
Recent #Microsoft news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Microsoft showcased its newest NVIDIA GB200 systems, highlighting the significant cooling requirements for these systems. The cooling solution, a large coolant distribution unit (CDU), occupies twice as much space as the GB200 compute rack. ➁ The systems are part of Microsoft Azure's next-gen NVIDIA training and inferencing platform, emphasizing the company's commitment to advanced AI models. ➂ The design of the cooling system is notably open, in contrast to other secretive organizations, showcasing Microsoft's confidence in its innovation.
➀ Microsoft has begun a phased rollout of Windows 11 2024 update, known as 24H2, aiming to introduce new foundational elements for AI experiences; ➁ The update includes several notable upgrades such as improved search, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a streamlined File Explorer; ➂ The update also brings new features like Recall, Energy Saver, and enhancements to the Microsoft Store.
➀ Microsoft has been struggling with its Xbox strategy, changing short and medium-term plans frequently; ➁ An insider claims that Xbox's plan changes every year, with inconsistent messaging on new projects like a handheld console; ➂ Microsoft's recent industry moves, such as acquiring Activision-Blizzard and studio closures, have been met with uncertainty and changes in direction.
➀ Microsoft is preparing to reintroduce the Recall feature with enhanced security measures; ➁ The feature will be opt-in by default and offer users control over their data; ➂ Microsoft has addressed security and privacy concerns by implementing encryption and user control settings.
➀ Microsoft has added four new titles to Xbox Game Pass, announced at Tokyo Game Show; ➁ The games include 'All You Need is Help', 'Legend of Mana', 'Trials of Mana', and 'We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie'; ➂ 'We Love Katamari' is the only title available on Game Pass Standard, while the others require PC or Ultimate subscriptions.
➀ Microsoft is reportedly considering ceasing Xbox sales in the Middle East; ➁ The rumored portable Xbox handheld will not launch in the region; ➂ Microsoft plans to focus on PC Game Pass and accessories in the Middle East.
➀ Misunderstanding led to the belief that 24H2 would arrive on October 8th; ➁ Microsoft clarified that the blog post was unrelated to 24H2's general availability; ➂ Original article was worded differently, now clarified that it was not related to 24H2's release.
➀ Sony's PS5 sales are more than double that of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S combined; ➁ Despite the sales discrepancy, Microsoft has a strong market cap and has made significant acquisitions; ➂ Microsoft is also promoting its Xbox Game Pass service and planning for the launch of new generation consoles.
➀ Incase acquired Microsoft Hardware's license and plans to launch rebranded peripherals in Q4 2024. ➁ The lineup includes ergonomic keyboards, mice, headsets, and other accessories. ➂ Fans hope Incase will expand the offerings to include more enthusiast-grade peripherals.
1. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 as the most used operating system among gamers on Steam, with a 50.81% share in August 2024. 2. The popularity of the game 'Black Myth: Wukong' may have influenced the survey results, especially in China. 3. NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 remains the most widely-used graphics card among Steam gamers, while the mobile GeForce RTX 4060 has risen to the second spot.
1. Funcom's Chief Product Officer, Scott Junior, stated that it is challenging to run Dune Awakening on Xbox Series S due to its lower powered hardware. 2. The game is initially launching on PC, with plans for Xbox release pending further optimizations. 3. This issue adds to concerns about the Xbox Series S's capability to handle demanding games, following similar challenges with Baldur's Gate 3.
➀ Windows 11 gained 3.36% market share in August, reaching 50.81% on Steam. ➁ The growth came primarily from users migrating from Windows 10. ➂ Windows 10 support ends in October 2025, prompting more users to consider upgrading.
➀ Microsoft unveiled its first custom AI accelerator, Maia 100, designed for large-scale AI workloads on Azure, featuring a 5nm process and COWOS-S technology. ➁ The chip integrates large on-chip SRAM and four HBM2E chips, offering 1.8TB/s bandwidth and 64GB memory. ➂ Maia 100 supports up to 700W TDP, optimized for high performance and efficient power management. ➃ The accelerator includes advanced tensor units and vector processors, enhancing AI computation efficiency. ➄ A comprehensive SDK is provided for seamless integration with Azure OpenAI services, supporting PyTorch and other development tools.
➀ The Surface Duo's packaging is ordinary, containing the device, a USB-C charger, and a rubber protective frame. ➁ The device is claimed to be the thinnest mobile device on the market, with a single-sided thickness of 4.8mm and a folded thickness of 9.6mm. ➂ The hinge design is the biggest highlight, allowing for a smooth and stable 360° rotation.
1. AMD announced that branch prediction optimizations from the Windows 11 Preview have been backported to Windows 11 23H2, aiming to enhance Ryzen CPU performance. 2. The update, KB5041587, is available as an optional update in Windows Update settings. 3. Initial testing showed minimal performance improvements across various benchmarks, with no significant changes observed.
➀ The upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update promises a 10% performance improvement for older Ryzen CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7700X in gaming scenarios. ➁ Newer Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, such as the Ryzen 7 9700X, also see an average performance boost of 11% with the update. ➂ Microsoft plans to release the 24H2 update in late September, with early access available through the Windows Insider program.
1. Google introduces Google Essentials, a new app that simplifies access to its services on Windows PCs, starting with HP computers. 2. HP's gaming laptops will benefit from Google Play Games integration, allowing game syncing between PC and Android devices. 3. Users can access Google Photos and Google Messages, enhancing the Windows-Android ecosystem experience.
1. Obsidian's upcoming RPG, Avowed, will run at 30fps on Xbox Series X|S, as confirmed by the game's art director. 2. The decision to target 30fps is defended as allowing for better effects and lighting, despite the general gamer preference for 60fps. 3. This choice mirrors Starfield's initial frame rate limitation, which later received an update for a 60fps mode.
➀ Microsoft is reintroducing the controversial Recall feature to Windows Insiders in October, exclusively for Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11. ➁ The feature, which periodically captures and analyzes screenshots using an NPU and AI, faced security issues that led to its initial pause. ➂ Microsoft has implemented encryption and Windows Hello authentication to address these concerns before broader release.