TheNewsGuru

Tag: Microsoft

  • Microsoft bids farewell to Internet Explorer 11

    Microsoft bids farewell to Internet Explorer 11

    Microsoft has outlined a plan to phase out Internet Explorer 11, announcing that Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) by this time next year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports beginning November 30, 2020, the Microsoft Teams web app will no longer support IE 11 and beginning August 17, 2021, the remaining Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support IE 11.

    This means that after the above dates, customers will have a degraded experience or will be unable to connect to Microsoft 365 apps and services on IE 11. For degraded experiences, new Microsoft 365 features will not be available or certain features may cease to work when accessing the app or service via IE 11.

    “While we know this change will be difficult for some customers, we believe that customers will get the most out of Microsoft 365 when using the new Microsoft Edge. We are committed to helping make this transition as smooth as possible,” the Redmond company stated in a blog post.

    Customers have been using IE 11 since 2013 when the online environment was much less sophisticated than the landscape today. Since then, open web standards and newer browsers like the new Microsoft Edge have enabled better, more innovative online experiences.

    “We believe that Microsoft 365 subscribers, in both consumer and commercial contexts, will be well served with this change through faster and more responsive web access to greater sets of features in everyday toolsets like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and more.

    “We understand the need to “do more with less” in the new business environment. By the dates listed above, customers should no longer access Microsoft 365 apps and services using IE 11, but we want to be clear that IE 11 isn’t going away1 and that our customers’ own legacy IE 11 apps and investments will continue to work.

    “Customers have made business-critical investments in IE 11 legacy apps and we respect that those apps are still functioning,” Microsoft stated.

    TNG reports nearly two years ago the Redmond company started working on the new Microsoft Edge after listening to customers’ needs for world-class compatibility (including legacy app support), security, privacy, easy and unified manageability, and productivity.

    The result is a whole new Microsoft Edge from the inside out: a browser built on the Chromium open source engine with the latest in Microsoft enterprise capabilities. Since its release in January, millions of users have upgraded their home and work browsers to the new Microsoft Edge.

    “Additionally, new devices and future Windows feature updates (starting with Windows 10, version 20H2) will contain the new Microsoft Edge.

    “Now that we’ve shipped the new Microsoft Edge, and upgraded most of our Windows 10 customers to the new browser, we’re ending support for the Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop app on March 9, 2021.

    “After March 9, 2021, the Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop app will not receive new security updates. The new Microsoft Edge is our best expression of a modern browser—we’re excited for customers to experience it. Apps and sites created for Microsoft Edge Legacy will continue to work in the new Microsoft Edge, but if a compatibility issue does arise, we have our App Assure promise to provide support,” Microsoft stated.

  • Lagos Govt. partners Microsoft to train 18,000 teachers

    Lagos Govt. partners Microsoft to train 18,000 teachers

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education is to collaborate with ATB Yechsoft Solutions (Microsoft Company) to train 18,000 teachers to boost Secondary Schools in digital literacy training.

    Mr Kayode Suton, the Ministry Public Affairs Officer, in a statement said that the teachers would receive training during the COVID-19 lockdown beginning from April 27.

    The programme is tagged ” Work- From -Home, Remote Teaching and Learning for Lagos State Secondary School.

    Suton, said that the teachers would reeive digital training, mentoring, observation, creating and sharing subject specific content, accessing interactive classes from mobile phones and devices.

    He said that the teachers would also have knowledge of diagnosing and understanding learning needs, challenges, assigning homework, give feedbacks, auto-grade quizzes/tests remotely and internal stakeholders engagement.

    The Commissioner for Eduation, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, said the training would have huge benefits on the overall technology transformation of the school system in the State.

    The Chairman, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM ), Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo, said she was satisfied on the robust course content and its sustainability on the long-term as part of Microsoft Office Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR).

    Ariyo noted that the programme was easily accessible via mobile smartphones, Web browsers and robust platform for up to one million students, teachers and officials.

    She applauded the efforts of Microsoft Office through their representative, ATB Techsoft Solutions, in utilising the stay at home period to equip, train and engage secondary school teachers.

    She said that it would enhance teachers performances in discharging their duties of imparting knowledge in the younger generations through the use of technology.

    The TESCOM chariman further said it was in line with the Education and Technology Pillar in the THEMES Agenda of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration and vision for teaching.

  • Microsoft donates $22,500 ICT items to organisation for projects

    Microsoft Nigeria on Tuesday donated Information Technology (IT) items valued at 22,500 U.S. Dollars to The Zariah Elizabeth Foundation (TZE), an indigenous Non-Profit Organisation to sustain its projects.

    Mr Akindayo Akindolani, the Executive Director, TZE foundation, acknowledged the donation via a press statement on Tuesday.

    TZE is an Abuja based NGO that is into building capacity and skills development of the younger generation through digital literacy for personal development

    The donation of the items which took place in Lagos was in recognition of the foundation’s impactful IT activities majorly targeted at young people.

    The donated ICT gift items included hardware and software items.

    The hardware items were 11 computer notebooks valued at 3,650 dollars, five computer tablets valued at 1,750 dollars, 16 copies of office professional applications and 16 copies of Windows 10 Pro Full Operating System valued at 17,152 dollars.

    Mr John Edokpolo, Lead Commercial Attorney, Middle East and Africa of Microsoft, while making the donation said it was part of the organisation’s mandate towards empowering institutions to deliver IT skills to the grassroots.

    According to Edokpolo, Microsoft believes that technology is a powerful force for good in a rapidly changing world.

    “We are working to ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities it provides.

    “Microsoft is pleased to donate 22,552 Dollars in-kind to TZE in support of device donation and we are not seeking promises or favouritism for Microsoft.

    “We partner thousands of like organisations around the world to help each one achieve one’s mission.

    “We are committed to delivering accessible and affordable technology solutions to enable your organisation to digitally transform, accelerate its mission and drive greater impact,” he said.

    Akindolani lauded Microsoft saying that the items would enable it to reach more students, young people and consolidate on the digital skills programme running through the year.

    Akindolani said, “We believe that digital skills are shaping the future of works and it is better we engage, prepare the young ones with relevant skills earlier in life.”

  • Pantami warns Nigerians against use of Windows 7 powered devices

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has alerted Nigerians on the risks of using Windows 7 powered devices for internet-based services that require the use of sensitive information such as internet banking.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pantami gave the warning in the statement released by his Technical Assistant, Government Digital Services and Innovation, Mukhtar Sadiq.

    With the official end of support for Windows 7 operating system (OS), which came into effect on 14th January 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support and security or software updates for the platform.

    Systems running on Windows 7 OS will continue to work, however they will become progressively more vulnerable to viruses and malware. The best way to remain secure is to use the latest OS available.

    “We are therefore calling on all Windows 7 users to immediately implement some precautionary measures to help protect themselves from breach of privacy and loss of critical data.

    “The measures are: keeping security software up to date; keeping all other applications up to date; and being more skeptical on downloads and emails accessed,” the statement read.

    According to the statement also, the minister in his efforts to propagate the importance of cyber security and to ensure that cyber threats are quickly identified and contained, will from time to time alert the general public on important event and measures to ensure that people can feel safe online.

  • Microsoft edges Amazon to land Pentagon’s $10b cloud computing contract

    Microsoft edges Amazon to land Pentagon’s $10b cloud computing contract

    Microsoft has won the $10 billion JEDI cloud computing contract, edging out rival Amazon, Pentagon announced on Friday.

    “The JEDI Cloud contract will provide enterprise level, commercial Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) to support Department of Defense business and mission operations,” the Defense Department said its description of the contract.

    The project is scheduled to be completed in October 2029.

    The entire contracting process, which involved bids from companies like Google, Oracle and IBM, was steeped in controversy over the past few months.

    First, Google dropped out of the race after employees petitioned against the contract, raising concerns over the ethics of supplying its technology to the military.

    That theory was reportedly similar to one created by Oracle’s executive vice president, Ken Glueck, along with one of the company’s Washington lobbyists. Oracle had also raised similar concerns in a December lawsuit against the Defense Department, claiming that the Pentagon’s requirements for the contract were created in a way that favored Amazon, making it easier for the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant to win the bidding process.

    Lawmakers on Capitol Hill also got involved in the process in recent weeks, sending letters to the president requesting for the contract to be delayed until officials could examine the awards process.

    “This contract has already been delayed a year for investigations and court filings,” two Republicans wrote in one letter. “Further delays make DOD fall behind and DOD needs this technology now. The cloud makes the military a more lethal, agile and innovative force.”

    One letter, from 12 House Republicans, was dated the same day Mark Esper assumed his role as secretary of defense.

    *With background report by verge.com

  • Microsoft acquires BlueTalon

    Microsoft acquires BlueTalon

    Microsoft on Monday has announced the acquisition of BlueTalon, a leading provider of data-centric security for next-gen data platforms.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports BlueTalon works with leading Fortune 100 companies to eliminate data security blind spots and gain visibility and control of data.
    The service acquired for an undisclosed sum will become part of the Azure Data Governance group, Microsoft’s ever-expanding set of cloud computing services to help organizations meet business challenges.
    BlueTalon provides a customer-proven, data-centric solution for data access management and auditing across the diverse systems resident in modern data estates.
    The service keeps enterprises in control of their data by allowing them to give users access to the data they need, not a byte more.
    “This acquisition will enhance our ability to empower enterprises across industries to digitally transform while ensuring right use of data with centralized data governance at scale through Azure.
    “Together with BlueTalon, we are committed to help enterprises become data-driven companies in a secure and compliant manner. We’re excited to welcome the BlueTalon team to Microsoft and can’t wait to get started,” stated Rohan Kumar, Corporate Vice President, Azure Data.
    Confirming the acquisition, Eric Tilenius, Chief Executive Officer of BlueTalon said: “Microsoft deeply impressed us”.
    “The Azure Data team was uniquely thoughtful and visionary when it came to data governance. We found them to be the perfect fit for us in both mission and culture. So when Microsoft asked us to join forces, we jumped at the opportunity.
    “This acquisition is a huge force multiplier on BlueTalon’s mission to make data easily and safely accessible across the enterprise by providing high quality data governance and compliance solutions.
    “With the BlueTalon team now part of Microsoft’s Azure Data Governance group, we look forward to taking our technology to the next level, allowing data to be both more useful and more secure,” he said.

  • Why losing to Android is Bill Gates ‘greatest mistake ever’

    Microsoft Co-founder, Bill Gates has said losing the race of mobile OS development to Google’s Android was his ‘greatest mistake ever’.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Gates expressed the disappointment while speaking at an event hosted by Village Global.

    He stressed that if Microsoft had managed to recognize and take on the Android onslaught, his firm, still a “very strong” entity, would have been “the leading company” instead of “a leading company”.

    “In the software world, particularly for platforms, these are winner-take-all markets. So the greatest mistake ever is whatever mismanagement I engaged in that caused Microsoft not to be what Android is.

    “That is, Android is the standard phone platform — non-Apple platform — that was a natural thing for Microsoft to win. It really is winner take all,” Bill Gates said in the interview.

    He elaborated further by saying, “If you’re there with half as many apps or 90 percent as many apps, you’re on your way to complete doom. There’s room for exactly one non-Apple operating system, and what’s that worth? $400 billion that would be transferred from company G to company M”.

    During a little over an hour-long conversation, Gates did underline the success of products such as Windows and Office that have helped Microsoft reach new levels over time.

    However, he expressed that due to the lack of bringing a platform like Android and missing the opportunity of powering an operating system against Apple’s iOS, Microsoft is still “a leading company” not “the leading company.”

    “If we’ve got that one [Android opportunity] right, we would be the company,” he said.

    Android, which was originally developed in Palo Alto, California was acquired by Google in July 2005 for around $50 million.

    The search giant initially didn’t reveal its plans of leveraging the acquisition to build a compelling operating system.

    However, a team was formed by Android co-creator Andy Rubin who brought the original shape of the mobile platform based on the Linux kernel.

    While Google was busy with its Android project, Microsoft was handling its Windows Mobile that was succeeded by Windows Phone in late 2010.

    However, in 2017, Microsoft announced the formal closure of its latest Windows Phone version, which was then Windows 10 Mobile, majorly due to growth of Android that overshadowed the Windows platform.

    Microsoft former CEO Steve Ballmer amongst the key faces initially pushing Windows Phone hard against Android.

    However, in 2015, Ballmer even insisted that Windows Phone need to have Android app compatibility in an effort to catch up.

    Interestingly, Gates didn’t blame Steve Ballmer as the culprit for the Android debacle, though many believe that it was Ballmer who largely brought the Redmond company to the failures in the mobile platform market.

    Watch interview video below:

  • Microsoft steps closer to its goal for Windows 10 OS

    Windows 10 operating system (OS) is now running on more than 800 million active devices worldwide.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Microsoft made this known on Thursday, in what is one step closer to Microsoft’s goal of reaching 1 billion Windows 10 users for the OS.

    “Thank you to all our customers and partners for helping us achieve 800 million Windows 10 devices and the highest customer satisfaction in the history of Windows,” Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Modern Life and Devices Group tweeted.

    Microsoft released Windows 10 in July 2015 with the expectation of hitting a billion users globally in three years, but missed the target last year.

    The company announced in September 2018 that over 700 million devices were running Windows 10, indicating it had won 100 million new users in less than six months.

    It took Microsoft almost three years and eight months to hit the feat of 800 million for Windows 10 after the release in 2015.

    Meanwhile, Microsoft had revealed that all is set to host its annual three-day Build developer conference at the Washington State Convention Centre in Seattle from May 6 to 8.

    The Build conference is Microsoft’s main annual developer event where the company unveils its latest Windows versions alongside additions to other software and service tools like Office and Azure.

    The company is currently finalising its latest Windows 10 update, code-named “19H1” which is expected to reach the existing machines ahead of event leaving room for Microsoft to highlight new features in its upcoming Windows 10 release scheduled for later this year.

     

  • Best Places to Work: Facebook loses grounds; Apple gains

    Boston-based management consulting firm Bain & Co. has dislodged social media firm Facebook to be ranked number one best place to work in 2019.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Facebook lost the best place to work tag after being hit by users’ data scandals amid falling stocks this year, while Apple moved up in the list of top-rated employers.

    According to leading jobs website Glassdoor’s annual “100 Best Places to Work in the US” list that came out on Wednesday, Facebook is now ranked number seven, scoring 4.5 out of a perfect 5.

    While Apple moved up from No 84 to 71 with a score of 4.3, Microsoft moved up from No 39 to 34 as its score dropped from 4.4 to 4.3.

    Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, however, is at sixth place with a score of 4.5, read the information on the Glassdoor website.

    While Facebook was the best place to work in America last year, Cupertino-based tech giant Apple had tumbled to number 84 in 2017 from its 36th position in 2016.

    Amazon didn’t even make it to the list, with an award score of 4.1, just outside of the top 100.

    Apple, on the other hand, moved up in the ranking, from No. 84 to 71, though it maintained the same score of 4.3. Microsoft moved up in ranking from No. 39 to 34 on the list although their award score dropped from 4.4 to 4.3. Google was 8th while Salesforce came 11th.

    The Top-100 list by Glassdoor is for large organisations or those with at least 1,000 employees.