“Microsoft Monday” is a weekly column that focuses on all things Microsoft. This week, Microsoft Monday includes details about the PlayFab acquisition, a patch for Intel’s Spectre firmware update, a font store, a $1 million donation for ID2020, the Ink to Code project and much more!
Microsoft Acquires Gaming Cloud Platform Company PlayFab
In a blog post, Microsoft’s Corporate VP of Gaming Kareem Choudhry announced the acquisition of PlayFab today. PlayFab is a backend platform provider of services to build and launch cloud-connected games. And PlayFab powers over 1,200 live games for customers like SEGA, Disney, NBC Universal, Atari, Rovio, Capcom and many more.
“PlayFab’s tools are designed to be used by game developers across all platforms (mobile, PC and console). This acquisition extends the investments and work we’ve done on Microsoft Azure to provide a world-class cloud platform for the gaming industry,” said Choudhry. “As Satya Nadella noted in our annual shareholders meeting, ‘We’re mobilizing to pursue our extensive opportunity in a 100-plus-billion gaming market. This means broadening our approach to how we think about gaming end to end, about starting with games and how they’re creating and distributed, and how they’re played and viewed.’”
Microsoft Issues Update To Patch Spectre Problem
According to The Verge, Microsoft was forced to issue a second out-of-band security update this month in order to patch a problem involving Intel’s Spectre firmware updates. Last week, Intel said that its own security updates have been buggy and caused some devices to randomly reboot. Intel has been advising PC companies to stop updating their firmware until properly tested updates become available.
Microsoft’s patch fixes the problem on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 systems. And Microsoft said that its update prevents the reboots. However, the update has to be downloaded manually from the Windows Update catalog.
And Microsoft is also releasing a new registry key setting for devices that were impacted by the buggy update, which enables IT administrators to manually disable or enable the Spectre variant 2 protections.
Microsoft Adds A Font Store In The Windows Insiders Update
In the latest build of the Windows (Build 17083) rolling out to Insiders in the Fast Ring, there is a way to discover and customize fonts. In the Fonts control panel — which is where you can see which fonts are currently installed and you can uninstall fonts — there are new capabilities such as color fonts and variable font properties.
“Note that you need to be running build 17040 or later to be able to install the font packages in the Store. For now, we have a small set of curated offerings from Microsoft’s library of fonts, but this will grow over time,” said Dona Sarkar, a software engineer that works in the Windows and Devices Group, in a blog post.
It is unknown which fonts will show up in the Windows Store. Perhaps it will be open for third parties or simply just for premium Microsoft fonts.
All Microsoft Studios Games Will Become Part Of Game Pass Service At Launch
Microsoft has made a change to the Xbox Game Pass so that all games published by Microsoft Studios will become part of the Netflix-like game service at launch, according to BusinessInsider. The first game that will be part of this initiative will be “Sea of Thieves” followed by Crackdown 3” and “State of Decay 2.” Microsoft’s franchises like “Halo,” “Gears of War” and “Forza Motorsport” will be included as well.
The Xbox Game Pass service costs $10 per month and users can play a over a hundred Xbox 360 and Xbox One games through the service. From Xbox Game Pass, users can download and play the games so it will work offline.
‘Sea of Thieves’ Closed Beta Update
Last week, Forbes contributor Paul Tassi wrote about the Sea of Thieves closed beta kicking off. And that is significant for the Xbox One as it is the biggest exclusive of the year.
Rare, a gaming company that Microsoft acquired in 2002, is the team developing Sea of Thieves. Rare is known for making games like Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
To access Sea of Thieves, you will have to pre-order the game. The closed beta was supposed to end today, but it was extended by a couple of days to Wednesday January 31st at 8AM GMT.
“It’s also important because I’m largely skeptical of the rest of Microsoft’s 2018. I have been almost dreading the release of Crackdown 3 because even after delays, nothing I’ve ever seen from that game has looked good,” Tassi wrote. “Perhaps Microsoft has a fall surprise planned, but it does seem possible that Sea of Thieves will be its most important exclusive of the year.”
Bill Gates Is Funding Genetic Research For Cows
Microsoft co-founder and Technology Advisor Bill Gates is now funding genetic research for cows. The goal of the genetic research is to breed cows that can produce more milk like the ones in Europe and handle high temperatures like the ones in Africa. Gates is funding the research as part of a $40 million investment via The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation in an Edinburgh, Scotland-based nonprofit called Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), according to the BBC.
“There is great, world-class understanding here of both animal diseases and how we can treat it, and how we enhance the genetics so that you can get, say the same type of milk or egg productivity that we have in the UK,” said Gates via The BBC. “Getting anywhere close to that in Africa would be very transforming.”
Bill Gates Reveals His New Favorite Book Of All Time
In a personal blog post, Bill Gates revealed what his new favorite book is of all time. Previously, Gates said that Steven Pinker’s book The Better Angels of Our Nature was the best one he read in a decade. Gates appreciatesd Pinker’s meticulous research for arguing that we are living in the most peaceful time in human history in The Better Angels of Our Nature. However, Gates said that Pinker “managed to top himself” with the upcoming book Enlightenment Now.
“Enlightenment Now takes the approach he uses in Better Angels to track violence throughout history and applies it to 15 different measures of progress (like quality of life, knowledge, and safety),” said Gates in the blog post. “The result is a holistic picture of how and why the world is getting better. It’s like Better Angels on steroids.”
Images Of Cancelled Xbox Watch Device Appear
Back in 2013, Microsoft designed a prototype of an “Xbox Watch,” but the project ended up getting cancelled. Twitter user Hikari Calyx shared shared some photos of the prototype device. And it appears that Microsoft as going to integrate fitness and health features into the device like a heart rate sensor and a workout tracker. There also appears to be a GPS feature in the device as well.
Try to feel terrible resolution of Xbox Watch… If you find the Xbox Watch can’t be recharged, you can disassemble the screen with an utility knife or a razor, then hit the positive pole on the battery with piezoelectric ceramic igniter from a lighter. pic.twitter.com/TcQwMcvJEQ
— Hikari Calyx (@Hikari_Calyx) January 22, 2018
Microsoft Is Launching A New Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer To Handle Privacy Concerns
Microsoft has been scrutinized for the way it handles data collection in Windows 10 by the European regulators, the Chair of the National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) in France and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Data is collected anonymously through Windows 10 from users in order to improve the operating system. So the next update of Windows 10 will include a new Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer, which is currently being tested by developers. The Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer shows what data is being sent to Microsoft’s servers through Windows 10.
According to The Verge, the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer includes “device connectivity, peripherals, configuration options, performance data, movie consumption, installed apps” and many other details. And the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer will allow you to filter the data to view more information about it. You can see the full list of the diagnostic data for the Full telemetry data at: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/windows-diagnostic-data-1703
The Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer will be available for Windows Insiders first and then it will be rolled out in the next major Windows 10 update (codenamed Redstone 4) coming this spring. After the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer tool becomes available, it will appear as an app in the Microsoft Store. Microsoft will also update its online privacy dashboard with the ability to export and delete data along with the ability to view and manage media consumption data.
Microsoft Is Working On How To Biologically Search For Images Stored In DNA
Microsoft is working on an initiative where it is collecting 10,000 selfies from the public, which will be encoded in DNA so it can figure out how to search for them within the molecules. If you are interested in sending a selfie, you can do so by going to MemoriesInDNA.com.
In July 2016, Microsoft partnered with the University of Washington researchers to store 200MB of data on DNA strands. And in April 2017, Microsoft purchased 10 million DNA strands through Twist Bioscience to store digital research data.
According to MIT Technology Review, Microsoft is aiming to search and classify images while they are in DNA form. This might be possible because certain DNA letters stick to others. For example, a search query for “red car” coded into DNA should stick to DNA bits that contain such an image.
Microsoft Hires Annie Parker As Global Head Of Startups
Microsoft has hired Annie Parker, the former co-founder of Australian startup accelerator Muru-D, as its global head of startups. Parker was also the interim CEO of Fishburners. Parker made the announcement on Twitter.
Microsoft Pledges $1 Million Donation For ID2020
In a guest blog post on Business Insider, Microsoft’s executive vice president of development Peggy Johnson announced that the company is making a $1 million investment towards an organization that helps people that do not have official documentation. Johnson revealed the $1 million donation for the ID2020 Alliance at the World Economic Forum.
Johnson pointed out that people without official documentation are “disproportionately women, children and refugees” and they join over 1.1 billion people around the world.
“People trapped in the “identity gap” face uncertain futures. They may be denied a spot in school, turned away from the polls, or unable to travel freely, even within their home countries. They are more likely to be trafficked as children. People displaced by conflict and instability are often unable to seek aid and rebuild their lives,” said Johnson in the blog post. “The identity gap problem is enormous, and its human impacts are unconscionable. But for the first time in our history, it may also be solvable.”
ID2020 has been making some progress. For example, Microsoft engineers in Europe worked with Accenture and Avanade to build a digital identity prototype using blockchain — which is the technology platform used for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. By using blockchain for identification, people can consent to when their information is shared.
Microsoft’s Ink To Code Project Turns Drawings Into User Interfaces
According to Ars Technica, The Microsoft Garage team is currently working on a project called Ink To Code — which would convert sketches into application interfaces with real code specifically the XML XML markup used for Universal Windows Platform apps and Xamarin apps for Android. Ink to Code uses Windows 10 Ink APIs to recognize the objects that were drawn and converts handwritten text and boxes into text boxes, image placeholders, buttons, etc. As of right now, Ink to Code is a prototype and it recognizes only a few interface elements. Ink to Code was created by interns at the Microsoft’s New England Research and Development (“NERD”) center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Hits 4 Million Players
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has been played by over four million gamers on the Xbox One. And they are awarding players by giving away 30,000 Battle Points to each one. People that purchase the game between now and January 31st will also receive the 30,000 Battle Points.
“To show the community our appreciation for your support and feedback, we are rewarding players with 30,000 Battle Points to purchase cosmetic crates in the game. Anyone who has purchased or purchases PUBG on Xbox One and has created a character before January 31 at 12AM PST will receive this bonus, so if you’ve been waiting to jump onto the island, now is the perfect time to become a part of our growing community on console,” said Microsoft in a blog post. “Bonus Battle Points will be delivered and appear directly in players BP accounts (right below their gamertag) after February 1, 2018 at 12AM PT.”
Why Bill Gates Believes Using AI For Jobs Will Be Beneficial
In an interview with Fox, Bill Gates discussed why he believes using artificial intelligence to perform tasks usually handled by humans is a good thing. For example, the technology will make humans more efficient and provide more free time.
“Well, certainly we can look forward to the idea that vacations will be longer at some point,” said Gates in the interview via Business Insider. “If we can actually produce twice as much as we make today with less labor, the purpose of humanity is not just to sit behind a counter and sell things, you know?”
“There will be challenges because the rate of change will be faster in these next 20 years than it’s been before,” Gates added.
Microsoft Drops Azure Standard Support Price From $300 To $100 Per Month
Microsoft has dropped the price of Azure Standard Support to $100 per month from $300 per month. The price cut was announced on January 25th. To be eligible for the discount, Azure customers must purchase Azure Standard Support from Azure.com through the Microsoft Online Services Agreement (MOSA), according to ZDNet.
Enterprise Agreement customers are not eligible for the price cut, but Azure Government customers in the U.S. will see a price cut from $375 per month to $125 per month. There is no action required as the discount will be automatically applied.
Windows 10 Mobile Insider Program Shuts Down
If you are a Windows 10 Mobile user that has been receiving updates through the Windows 10 Mobile Insider program, then you may be disappointed that future updates will no longer happen. This was confirmed by Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc in a tweet. However, the devices will still receive monthly security updates.
Microsoft Edge For Android And iOS Expands To More Countries
Microsoft Edge for Android and iOS is currently available in the U.S., but it is not available globally. Microsoft decided to roll out the browser gradually across the globe. Last week, Microsoft Edge product manager Sean Lyndersay said that Edge for Android and iOS has been rolled out to several other countries. Now you can download Microsoft Edge Germany, Austria, Portugal and Brazil.
Microsoft Is Reportedly Designing A Slimmed Down Version Of Windows
According to Windows Central, Microsoft is reportedly working on building a slimmed down version of Windows code-named “Polaris.” This version of Windows is not considered a successor, but it could potentially be an operating system for 2-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrids and tablets. Polaris could potentially be the replacement for Windows 10 S though.
Microsoft Partners With Publicis Groupe On AI Platform
Today Publicis Groupe announced that it has partnered with Microsoft to develop and launch an artificial intelligence platform called Marcel. Microsoft will be building the platform while leveraging Azure AI and Office 365. The Marcel platform will empower Publicis Groupe’s employees, clients and business partners to collaborate in three ways: 1.) Marcel will help locate an employee across all of its agencies who can help on a project 2.) Marcel will enable employees to take full advantage of the combined experiences and insights existing around the group 3.) Marcel gives employees the power to participate and create more.
“AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time, but its real power lies in how it can be applied to amplify human ingenuity. And that’s the beauty of Marcel,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a statement. “At Microsoft, we believe that people no longer just work for companies – companies need to work for their people. Marcel embodies that belief. That’s what makes this collaboration so seamless and natural.”
Microsoft Updates Teams With A Number Of New Features
Microsoft has made a number updates to its Teams service. For example, there is a way to command apps, take quick actions from the command box and include content from an app in a conversation. And now you can include content from apps such as a news article directly in a conversation.
Another new feature is the ability to integrate apps and service like Excel, Trello, InVision and SurveyMonkey in one place.
And you can have a conversation about content from an app without having to include a screenshot or a link to the information. You can add an emoji, GIFs and other information from apps into a chat or channel message with a simple click. So you can search for a specific task in Trello, a weather forecast or a work item in Wrike and include an interactive card with that information into a message.
With the new personal apps space, you can easily access apps and see items that you have been assigned to such as tasks in Planner and issues in Jira Cloud. From this area, you will see Who — which is a new app powered by the Microsoft Graph. With Who, you can search for people in your organization based on names or topics.
Now you can add Microsoft Stream to your personal apps space to watch videos uploaded by your coworkers. Plus Microsoft made it easier to search and discover apps and services available in Teams in the new Store. You can search for apps by name, category or integration type.
Microsoft integrated commanding with search and moved the command box to the top of the screen. This makes it easier to command apps and take quick actions right from the box along with the ability to search across people, messages files and apps.
You can also take quick actions with slash commands. Slash commands are essentially shortcuts that you can type in the command box to perform tasks and navigate Teams. You can also use a slash command to set your status to “away,” add a user to teams or call co-workers. You can get started with slash commands by typing / to see the list of commands currently available.
Microsoft Monday includes seven days worth of updates from the Redmond-based software giant. What are your thoughts about the “Microsoft Monday” news from this week? Please leave a comment!
