Microsoft announces a cornucopia of Windows 11 improvements, including AI audio and photo tools, widget enhancement and more
Windows 11 users have a host of new features to look forward to, as well an enhancements to existing components. Everything from AI-powered Generative Erase and Silence removal through voice shortcut improvements to new sharing options, there few areas of the operating system that are not getting attention.
The rollouts start today and continue over the coming month, and users can also expect a new widgets experience, better Snap suggestions for screen organization and more. Today's announcement also sees Microsoft unifying the Windows Update for Business deployment service with Autopatch into a single update management solution.
Microsoft makes Copilot in Windows 11 more useful with new capabilities and plugins
Continuing to go all-in on artificial intelligence, Microsoft has announced a series of new features for its Windows 11 AI assistant. The company has announced the capabilities for Copilot as well as introducing new plugins for even more options.
The arrival of new plugins from the like of OpenTable, Shopify and Kayak helps to transform Copilot into something even more useful than it has been so far. It means that the assistant can be used to book restaurant tables as well as suggesting menus for home dining. On top of these plugin-driven additions, Copilot is also gaining new features so it can display system information on demand, and be used to control accessibility features.
Get 'Electronics All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition' (worth $25) for FREE
If you're looking for a new hobby that's tons of fun -- and practical to boot -- electronics might be right up your alley. And getting started has never been easier!
In Electronics All-in-One For Dummies, you'll find a plethora of helpful information, from tinkering with basic electronic components to more advanced subjects like working with digital electronics and Arduino microprocessors.
OnlyOffice 8.0 provides a slick, yet lightweight, alternative to Microsoft Office and LibreOffice
Does the world need another alternative to the almost ubiquitous Microsoft Office? While LibreOffice is its most recognizable rival, it does suffer a little from a dated user interface. Enter, stage left, OnlyOffice 8.0, an open-source rival to both that offers enough unique functionality to make it stand apart.
OnlyOffice’s first unique feature is that it contains its main features -- document editor, spreadsheet, presentations, PDF viewer/annotator and recently added forms creator -- within a single, streamlined app.
Cybersecurity staff perform multiple different roles
Staff at various levels work in multiple cybersecurity functions according to the latest report from IANS research and recruitment specialist Artico Search.
It finds 42 percent have responsibilities that span multiple cybersecurity domains. Of the AppSec staff, 74 percent also contribute to product security and 67 percent are involved in identity and access management (IAM).
New platform improves visibility across attack surfaces
There is an increasing level of crossover and connectivity between IT, operational technology (OT) and IoT assets, which raises the risk of cyberattacks originating in IT systems and then spreading into OT environments.
To help businesses address this risk Tenable is launching a new exposure management platform that provides holistic visibility into assets across IT and OT environments.
In-house apps cause breaches at 92 percent of companies
A new study reveals that 92 percent of companies surveyed had experienced a breach in the past year due to vulnerabilities of applications developed in-house.
The report from Checkmarx shows that in recent years the responsibility for application security has shifted away from dedicated security teams and is now shared between AppSec managers and developers.
DDoS attacks against web apps and APIs surge
Globally, the average number of DDoS attacks per customer grew by 94 percent in 2023, according to a new report from Radware.
"The technological race between good and bad actors has never been more intense," says Pascal Geenens, Radware's director of threat intelligence. "With advancements like Generative AI, inexperienced threat actors are becoming more proficient and skilled attackers more emboldened. In 2024, look for attack numbers to climb and attack patterns, like the shift in Web DDoS attacks, to continue to evolve."
Proton Pass password manager app for Windows launches with offline mode -- macOS and Linux versions on the way
Proton, the privacy and security company, has launched Proton Pass for Windows -- a new standalone desktop application that extends its secure password management beyond the web browser. Proton Pass offers an enhanced user experience by integrating more seamlessly with the Windows operating system, allowing smoother management of passwords and encrypted login information.
One of the key features of this new application is its offline mode, available to Proton Pass Plus and Unlimited users. This mode ensures access to information anytime, without needing an Internet connection, and is secured with Argon2 encryption, known for its robust defense against brute-force attacks.
Microsoft is badgering even more Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11
Windows users are well aware that Microsoft is no stranger to trying to nag them into submission. The company has a history of pestering users to switch to its web browser and to upgrade to the latest version of Windows, and this is a practice that it not only continuing, but expanding.
Microsoft has already been encouraging / nagging (delete as you see fit...) to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and now the company has announced that it is about to take this further. It is described rather euphemistically as "expanding invitations to move to Windows 11 to more people".
Google finally brings glanceable directions to Google Maps a year after announcing the feature
This time last year, Google announced a series of new features for Google Maps which it said would be rolling out in the months that followed. While most saw the light of day, others started to feel like vaporware -- notably, the intriguing "glanceable directions".
A full 12 months on, the glanceable directions feature is finally being made available to iOS and Android users. It shows directions on the lock screen of a handset, so there's no need to constantly unlock the device for updates.
Microsoft quietly extends the availability of Windows 11 22H2 updates
To little fanfare, Microsoft has announced that anyone choosing to stick with Windows 11 22H2 will be able to install optional updates for longer than previously planned.
Despite having started to forcibly upgrade some Windows 11 22H2 systems to Windows 11 23H2, Microsoft has had a change of heart about how it will handle updates for the older version of the operating system moving forward. The company had previously said that non-security updates would not be available after this month, but there's a new extended deadline in place now.
Can you really go net zero without sustainable IT?
Achieving net zero is now a top priority for a growing number of UK businesses, but the road to carbon neutrality is littered with obstacles, difficult decisions and the odd wrong turn. It’s not easy knowing what to do, and I have a lot of sympathy for business leaders who are trying to do the right thing while juggling countless competing demands for their time, intellect, and investment.
Depending on the sector, achieving net zero might be relatively easy, or seemingly impossible. Some businesses will require only small operational or behavioral changes, while others will need to go through significant upheaval, investment, and strategic realignment before they even get close.
Why culture could be the missing link in private equity's data challenges
Available data for alternative assets is expanding at top speed, handing managers a goldmine of information and arming them to make savvy investment moves and fine-tune operational efficiencies. Ensuring transparency, quality, and data accessibility has never been more important for general partners (GPs).
Yet the tidal wave of data that organizations are handling poses a significant challenge for private equity firms. Many find themselves struggling to consolidate large volumes of data from disparate, siloed sources.
3 IT industry trends defining the next era of cloud computing
I recently had the pleasure of attending a couple of industry conferences about IT infrastructure and the cloud. Every conversation buzzed with the latest trends and questions, and every panel discussion grappled with the most pressing industry challenges that everyone in the room was interested in learning more about.
These gatherings are excellent networking opportunities, and they're also real-time snapshots of what matters most in a particular field. As such, I wanted to share a few insights that I gathered from these recent events based on topics that seemed to come up again and again.
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