The company is incorporating a Like button into Word, designed to make it easier for the users to respond to comments…reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft is introducing a new feature in Word that will let users react to comments like the reactions feature in Outlook.
The company is incorporating a Like button into Word, designed to make it easier for the users to respond to comments.
According to Windows Central, the feature is rolling out to Current Channel (Preview) users running Version 2305 or later, and is already available for the web users and Beta Channel users.
To react to a comment in Word, users will need to open a document and head to the comment section and then head to the comment section and click the ‘Like’ button in the top right corner.
It is likely that this document already has comments, and if not, users will need to create one. Moreover, the report mentioned that the tech giant has also indicated that the feature ships with two known issues.
First, iOS and Android users won’t be able to see comment reactions, and second, the feature might not be available when editing older documents.
However, users should be able to react to newer comments added to the document. Further, the tech giant added that the feature will be available to Word for Mac users in the next few weeks, the report said.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 dev build that allows Insiders to view their phone’s camera roll in the File Explorer Gallery.
After installing the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, users can add photos from their phone by clicking a new button added to the File Explorer’s command bar.
Natural Narrator voices use modern, on-device text-to-speech and once downloaded are supported without an internet connection, the company said…reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 dev build that allows Insiders to view their phone’s camera roll in the File Explorer Gallery.
After installing the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, users can add photos from their phone by clicking a new button added to the File Explorer’s command bar.
“There is a new button in the Command Bar titled ‘Add Phone Photos’ that will help with setting up your PC to be ready to show these photos in Gallery,” Microsoft said in a blogpost.
“Clicking this button today will open a URL with a QR code that you can scan with your phone to get started,” it added.
Microsoft adds new phone photos feature in File Explorer
Moreover, in the new preview build, the company has introduced new natural voices in Spanish (Spain and Mexico) that allow Narrator users to comfortably browse the web, read and write mail, and do more.
Natural Narrator voices use modern, on-device text-to-speech and once downloaded are supported without an internet connection, the company said.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support its virtual assistant Cortana in Windows as a standalone app, starting in late 2023.
This change will only affect Cortana in Windows and will continue to be available in Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams display, and Microsoft Teams rooms, the tech giant stated on a support page.
The programme will also support the startups with testing and validating proofs-of-concept…reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft and Accenture on Wednesday announced the third cohort of the Project Amplify programme, which will support 13 Indian startups with solutions focusing on clean tech, circularity, regenerative agriculture, education and skilling.
The programme will also support the startups with testing and validating proofs-of-concept, reimagining the impact of their solutions through design thinking sessions, access to the latest technologies and guidance from experts at Microsoft and Accenture.
“Through our continued collaboration with Microsoft, we are applying our joint expertise to support social impact startups and help bring their solutions to our enterprise clients across the globe, scaling their impact,” Sanjay Podder, managing director and Technology Sustainability Innovation lead at Accenture, said in a statement.
Moreover, the programme will offer startups access to Microsoft technologies, including up to $1,50,000 in Azure credits, M365 and D365, Visual Studio and GitHub Enterprise access, enterprise-grade Azure engineering support, networking opportunities with other global social entrepreneurs and an array of go-to-market resources.
“In collaboration with Accenture and as part of our Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact Initiative, we are humbled to support bold innovators in India, driving systemic change through their sustainable businesses,” Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President, National Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft, said in a statement.
Launched in 2020, previous cohorts of the programme focused on addressing issues in food safety, livelihood, education, sustainability, and skilling.
Al Kuwaiti expressed his pleasure to have Microsoft joining the Council’s efforts to establish a secure and global information community…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC UAE) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and collaboration in the field of cybersecurity. The MoU outlines a framework for the two parties to work together towards the establishment of a secure global information society.
Commenting on the MoU, Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the Government of the UAE, expressed his pleasure to have Microsoft joining the Council’s efforts to establish a secure and global information community. He said that the MoU is an important step toward building a strong cybersecurity framework that would protect critical infrastructure and prevent cyberthreats.
Al Kuwaiti explained that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have opened new windows of opportunities for socioeconomic development, but they have also introduced new types of threats, such as cybercrimes, cyberespionage, and cyberterrorism. He added that these threats are becoming increasingly sophisticates and require a coordinated response from all stakeholders.
“Over the past few years, organisations across the region have made significant changes to their cybersecurity strategy to accommodate the growing number of users needing access to mission critical data and applications,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “This has resulted in a new wave of threats that are targeting organisations across industries. We are committed to working with CSC UAE to enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the UAE and share knowledge to help prevent cyber threats. This MoU is a testament to our commitment to promoting a secure global information society.”
Under the terms of the MoU, Microsoft and CSC UAE will cooperate and conduct information exchanges in cybersecurity-related fields, with particular attention to national cooperation, deterrence, prevention, and responses to cyber-attacks. The two parties will also work together to promote awareness-building through educational programmes, as well as exploring business and economic exchanges for cybersecurity.
The agreement is also expected to foster greater collaboration between CSC UAE and Microsoft in the field of cybersecurity and promote the exchange of best practices and expertise to prevent and respond to cyber threats.
The EU decision came as the UK market regulator last last month announced it was blocking Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard…reports Asian Lite News
The European Commission on Monday approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for $68.7 billion.
The Commission said in a statement that it has based its decision on hard evidence, and on extensive information and feedback from competitors and customers, including from game developers and distributors as well as cloud game streaming platforms in the EU.
The preliminary investigation found that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of console and PC video games, including multi-game subscription services and cloud game streaming services; and in the supply of PC operating systems.
The Commission’s in-depth market investigation indicated that Microsoft would not be able to harm rival consoles and rival multi-game subscription services.
“At the same time, it confirmed that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of games via cloud game streaming services and that its position in the market for PC operating systems would be strengthened,” said the Commission.
The EU decision came as the UK market regulator last last month announced it was blocking Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the developer behind hugely-popular Call of Duty (CoD) franchise.
The European Commission found that Microsoft would have no incentive to refuse to distribute Activision’s games to Sony, which is the leading distributor of console games worldwide, including in the European Economic Area (aEEA’) where there are four Sony PlayStation consoles for every Microsoft Xbox console bought by gamers.
“Indeed, Microsoft would have strong incentives to continue distributing Activision’s games via a device as popular as Sony’s PlayStation,” it said.
If Microsoft made Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud game streaming service, Microsoft could also strengthen the position of Windows in the market for PC operating systems.
“This could be the case, should Microsoft hinder or degrade the streaming of Activision’s games on PCs using operating systems other than Windows,” read the decision.
Microsoft entered into a $68.7 billion deal to buy Activision, one of the most popular video games publishers in the world, in January 2022.
The initiative aims at bringing together business owners and entrepreneurs in India to network with peers, enhance their skills and achieve holistic growth….reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft India on Tuesday announced two new initiatives to support Indian SMBs and enable their digital transformation journey, namely an SMB-focused website and a dedicated helpline.
According to the company, the SMB-focused website — Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses, aims at bringing together business owners and entrepreneurs in India to network with peers, enhance their skills and achieve holistic growth.
However, the Digital Transformation helpline aims to offer dedicated support to help SMBs navigate their technology adoption and deployment journey.
“Microsoft has been committed to digitally transforming the SMB ecosystem in India with trusted technology, resources and extensive partner ecosystem. These new initiatives are aimed at further supporting these organisations and working closely with them so they can do more with less,” Samik Roy, Executive Director – Corporate Medium and Small Business, Microsoft India, said in a statement.
Moreover, the company said the Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses website is a rich repository of skills, resources and tools to cater to every requirement of a business.
It offers an SMB Academy to gain valuable digital skills and improve workforce productivity with access to Microsoft’s top curated business and technology courses, as well as inspiring stories of businesses from around the country.
Additionally, the website offers a wide range of Microsoft solutions addressing the needs of organisations, as well as an easy access point to Microsoft’s vast network of over 17,000 partners in the country.
Further, the tech giant stated that the Digital Transformation Helpline, which is available at 1800-102-1147, offers SMBs dedicated support when navigating their digital transformation journey.
The helpline provides expert guidance and assistance in leveraging technology solutions that best address their business challenges, improve operations, increase efficiency and drive growth.
The move ends the legacy of Microsoft-branded PC hardware launched in 1983 with Word and Notepad bundled together….reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft has said that it will no longer manufacture mice, keyboards, and webcams under the Microsoft brand, instead, it will develop Surface-branded PC accessories, which include mice, keyboards, pens, and more, the media reported.
According to The Verge, the move ends the legacy of Microsoft-branded PC hardware launched in 1983 with Word and Notepad bundled together.
“Going forward, we are focusing on our Windows PC accessories portfolio under the Surface brand,” says Dan Laycock, senior communications manager at Microsoft, was quoted as saying.
“We will continue to offer a range of Surface-branded PC Accessories — including mice, keyboards, pens, docks, adaptive accessories, and more. Existing Microsoft branded PC accessories like mice, keyboards, and webcams will continue to be sold in existing markets at existing sell-in prices while supplies last,” it added.
Moreover, the report stated that the Surface family of accessories will include several great keyboards and mice, but they will be more expensive than Microsoft-branded alternatives.
However, it is unclear whether Microsoft will introduce more budget-friendly Surface accessories or shift entirely to more premium accessories.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has reported $52.9 billion in sales, up 7 per cent with net income at $18.3 billion, which increased 9 per cent (year-on-year) in its quarter that ended March 31.
Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a rage worldwide, which has the capabilities to transform many industries.
Microsoft Cloud reported revenue of $28.5 billion, up 22 per cent year-over-year, said the company.
However, sales in the ‘More Personal Computing’ segment were $13.3 billion and decreased 9 per cent and Windows OEM revenue decreased 28 per cent.
Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a rage worldwide, which has the capabilities to transform many industries…reports Asian Lite News
Riding on its Cloud and the new AI business, Microsoft has reported $52.9 billion in sales, up 7 per cent with net income at $18.3 billion, which increased 9 per cent (year-on-year) in its quarter ended March 31.
Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a rage worldwide, which has the capabilities to transform many industries.
“The world’s most advanced AI models are coming together with the world’s most universal user interface — natural language — to create a new era of computing,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft.
“Across the Microsoft Cloud, we are the platform of choice to help customers get the most value out of their digital spend and innovate for this next generation of AI,” he said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Microsoft Cloud reported revenue of $28.5 billion, up 22 per cent year-over-year, said the company.
Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $17.5 billion and increased 11 per cent, while LinkedIn revenue increased 8 per cent.
However, sales in the ‘More Personal Computing’ segment was $13.3 billion and decreased 9 per cent and Windows OEM revenue decreased 28 per cent.
Microsoft returned $9.7 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said LinkedIn now has 100 million members in India, up 19 per cent year-on-year.
The Microsoft-owned LinkedIn saw record engagement in the March quarter as more than 930 million members globally now turn to the professional social network to connect, learn, sell and get hired.
“Member growth accelerated for the seventh consecutive quarter as we expanded to new audiences. We now have 100 million members in India, up 19 per cent,” Nadella said during the company’s Q3 2023 earnings call late on Tuesday.
As Gen Z enters the workforce, “We saw 73 per cent year-over-year increase in the number of student sign-ups,” Nadella added.
LinkedIn Talent Solutions continues to help hirers connect to job seekers and professionals to build the skills they need to access opportunity.
“Our hiring business took share for the third consecutive quarter. The excitement around AI is creating new opportunities across every function from marketing, sales and finance to software development and security,” said Nadella.
The LinkedIn revenue increased 8 per cent in the March quarter for the tech giant. In 2016, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for more than $26 billion.
The platform has introduced new AI-powered features, including writing suggestions for member profiles and job descriptions and collaborative articles.
“Our exclusive partnership with Netflix brings differentiated premium video content to our ad network, and our new Copilot for the web is reshaping daily search and web habits,” Nadella informed.
The companies will build an integration roadmap between Cognizant’s TriZetto healthcare products with Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare…reports Asian Lite News
IT major Cognizant on Saturday announced to expand healthcare collaboration with tech giant Microsoft to bring Cloud-based technology solutions to the growing healthcare market.
The companies will build an integration roadmap between Cognizant’s TriZetto healthcare products with Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare.
“Through our strategic partnership with Microsoft and building on our advanced TriZetto healthcare solutions, we are empowering clients to adapt to shifting market trends, regulatory changes, and operational demands,” said Surya Gummadi, EVP and President, Cognizant Americas.
The companies will also collaborate to develop and run Cognizant’s current and future healthcare SaaS solutions on Microsoft Azure, migrate new and existing clients from on premises environments to streamlined functions managed on the Microsoft Cloud, and support future technologies.
“TriZetto customers can harness the innovative features and capabilities across the entire Microsoft Cloud, empowering them to unlock growth, tap into new revenue streams, and transition their existing services to the cloud,” said Tom McGuinness, Corporate Vice President, Global Healthcare & Life Sciences, Microsoft.
TriZetto offers a portfolio of software solutions that help organisations enhance revenue growth, drive administrative efficiency, improve cost and quality of care, and improve the member and patient experience.
Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare brings together capabilities for customers and partners to enrich patient engagement, connect caregiving teams, and improve collaboration, decision-making and operational efficiencies.
Meanwhile, the Public Cloud services market in the Asia-Pacific region is likely to reach $153.6 billion in 2026, a report has shown.
IDC expects the Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APeJ) Public Cloud market will grow at a year-over-year (YoY) rate in 2022 at 25.9 per cent in comparison to 36.3 per cent in 2021, as cloud migration continues to accelerate.
However, the YoY growth rates will slow down, beginning from 2023 with a YoY growth of 24.1 per cent, to 21.4 per cent in 2026.
“Organisations in the APeJ region are progressing their cloud adoption along the advancements offered by the cloud market segment. Organisations will continue to invest in these adjacent technologies to enhance their customer experience and business outcomes,” said Shahnawas Latiff, Research Manager, Cloud Services, IDC Asia/Pacific.
A visitor poses for a photo with Microsoft’s logo at Microsoft’s corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington State, the United States, Sept. 19, 2015. (Xinhua/Yang Lei/IANS)
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) will achieve a market value of $65.6 billion and make up 42.7 per cent of the Asia/Pacific Public Cloud services market in 2026.
Platform as a service (PaaS) will reach a market value of $29.8 billion, contributing to 19.4 per cent of the market.
Software as a service (SaaS) will grow almost more than double from $22.9 billion in 2021 to $58.1 billion in 2026, contributing to 37.8 per cent of the entire Asia/Pacific Public Cloud market market, said the report.
“SaaS growth is attributed to organisations who want to streamline their operations and process by transforming their applications into scalable modules,” it added.
To date, tech firms based or with operations in Washington have announced more than 32,000 job cuts…reports Asian Lite News
Microsoft has laid off 559 employees from its Bellevue and Redmond in Washington state in the US, bringing the company’s total to over 2,700 job cuts in the area.
The layoffs, announced by the Washington State Employment Security Department, hit Microsoft’s security operations, reports The Seattle Times.
The company in February announced a prior round of layoffs in which 617 employees in Redmond, Bellevue, and Issaquah were also let go.
Reports said that hundreds of employees faced cuts in security roles under Charlie Bell, a former Amazon Web Services executive who joined Microsoft in 2021.
A Microsoft spokesperson said the latest layoffs “are part of the effort to align our cost structure with our revenue that was announced in January”.
To date, tech firms based or with operations in Washington have announced more than 32,000 job cuts.
Earlier this month, Microsoft conducted a third round of job cuts that impacted employees in roles related to supply chain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).
According to CRN, the third wave of layoffs are part of the 10,000 job cuts announced by Microsoft earlier this year.
Job cuts were across various levels, functions, teams and geographies, the report said, quoting the company.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella in January announced that the company will be “making changes that will result in the reduction of our overall workforce by 10,000 jobs through the end of FY23 Q3 (third quarter)”.
The company had more than 220,000 employees and the layoffs affected around 5 per cent of its workforce.
Disney’s 1st job cut round begins
Disney will begin its first round of layoffs at the company this week. In total, the media and entertainment company will sack 7,000 employees in three rounds, its CEO Bob Iger has announced.
The job cuts will reportedly affect Disney’s media and distribution segment along with ESPN and the parks and resorts division, according to CNBC.
“This week, we begin notifying employees whose positions are impacted by the company’s workforce reductions,” Iger wrote in the memo.
“A second, larger round of notifications will happen in April with several thousand more staff reductions, and we expect to commence the final round of notifications before the beginning of the summer to reach our 7,000-job target,” he added.
In February, Iger had announced to lay off 7,000 employees as Disney looks to save billions of dollars by restructuring the company, cutting content, and trimming payroll.
“For our employees who aren’t impacted, I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time,” Iger elaborated in his memo.
Disney expects to deliver approximately $3 billion in savings over the next few years, excluding sports.
Warner Bros. Discovery and other legacy media firms have also reduced several thousand jobs to cut costs.
“We have made the difficult decision to reduce our overall workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a strategic realignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business,” Iger wrote.
Walmart.(photo:IANS/TWitter)
Walmart joins fray
Retail giant Walmart is laying off hundreds of employees at its e-commerce facilities across the US as part of an adjustment in staffing “to better prepare for the future needs of customers”.
Walmart is shrinking its workforce as many retailers plan on roughly flat or declining sales, reports CNBC.
A company spokesperson said that this decision was not made lightly.
“We’re working closely with affected associates to help them understand what career options may be available at other Walmart locations,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
About 200 workers will be affected at Walmart’s southern New Jersey facility, reports Reuters.
Walmart’s rival Amazon has slashed 27,000 jobs in two rounds and another retail major Target plans to cut up to $3 billion in total costs over the next three years.
Walmart anticipates slower sales growth and lower profits in the coming fiscal year.
The company said last month that it expects same-store sales for its US business to grow between 2-2.5 per cent, excluding fuel.
Online sales have continued to grow, though at a slower pace than during the peak of the pandemic.
In its fourth quarter, Walmart delivered strong revenue growth globally with strength in stores and e-commerce. Total revenue was $164 billion, up 7.3 per cent.
