Microsoft releasing Android 12L to the Floor Duo lineup, Steam breaking utilization information, and a glimpse of the brand new Xbox dashboard are simply among the tales that broke this week. With a lot information to go round, it is simple to overlook just a few issues. That is the place our weekly roundup is available in.
Home windows Dev Package 2023 launches
Whereas the Floor Professional 9 and Floor Laptop computer 5 have been the largest {hardware} bulletins from Microsoft this fall, the corporate additionally launched the Home windows Dev Package 2023. The mini PC, which was previously often known as Mission Volterra, runs on a Snapdragon 8cX Gen 3 paired with 32GB of RAM and 512GB. It prices only a hair beneath $600.
That comparatively low worth would usually stack up the PC in opposition to the Mac mini, however Microsoft didn’t select to place it that approach. As its identify suggests, the Home windows Dev Package 2023 is constructed for builders trying to optimize their apps to run on Home windows on ARM. That being stated, anybody should purchase one. Our senior editor Zac Bowden did simply that and went hands-on with the gadget.
Android 12L rolls out to Floor Duo
Microsoft additionally shipped Android 12L to the Floor Duo 2 and authentic Floor Duo this week. The replace brings a refreshed interface to the folding cellphone, bringing it extra according to Home windows 11. It additionally provides a brand new Pen menu characteristic and improves the cellphone in a number of areas.
Android 12L is geared toward large-screen units or these with folding shows. Microsoft has labored to optimize it for the Duo lineup for fairly a while, and in keeping with our latest hands-on video, it reveals. Blur results, animations, and gestures all appear to work higher following the replace.
Whereas it isn’t formally out there, Android 12L for Floor Duo additionally features a secret cloud-based Continuum mode.
Here is the changelog for the replace:
- Upgrades the Android working system to Android 12L for foldable units. For common details about Android 12, see Android 12 (opens in new tab)(opens in new tab).
- Addresses state of affairs outlined within the Android Safety Bulletin—October 2022.
- New Fluent UI—redesigned Fast Settings and Settings, refreshed Microsoft feed design, new acrylic system results.
- Home windows accent shade kinds and dynamic theming based mostly on chosen wallpaper.
- New Home windows impressed wallpaper.
- Pen menu for Floor Slim Pen 2.
- Switch Microsoft Groups assembly by the Time widget.
- Optimize battery utilization and efficiency for Microsoft Groups by {hardware} offloading.
Joe Belfiore leaving Microsoft
Microsoft Company Vice President Joe Belfiore introduced that he’ll go away the corporate. The CVP has been with Microsoft for 32 years and presently heads the Workplace Group. Belfiore will proceed to function a senior advisor and coach till summer time 2023 to assist the transition.
Belfiore has held many main roles at Microsoft, however our readers probably bear in mind him most for his time in control of Home windows Telephone and Home windows 10. He has all the time proven a ardour for his work and has shared that at keynotes, displays, and interviews over time.Â
New Xbox dashboard is stuffed with advertisements
Microsoft launched a new Xbox dashboard to Xbox Insiders this week. Sadly, the brand new look earned criticism from a number of throughout the online. Our video games editor Jez Corden summarized among the largest flaws with the design:
“The brand new design pushes up the tiles format additional to the highest of the web page, obscuring view of no matter theme you’ve got opted for. If that wasn’t annoying sufficient, just under the fold, we have now rows upon rows upon rows of Xbox Sport Cross content material, which can’t be custom-made in any approach.”
The brand new Xbox dashboard on the Alpha Skip Forward mainly appears like a mirror of the Sport Cross app for TVs. Does Microsoft NOT LISTEN to suggestions right here? What is the level of dynamic backgrounds with this design?Microsoft: There exists an Xbox outdoors of Xbox Sport Cross. pic.twitter.com/Y6Q4vqpiY5October 27, 2022
Microsoft was criticized for not listening to consumer suggestions and pushing advertisements for Xbox Sport Cross onto the Xbox dashboard.
Because the new dashboard remains to be in its testing part, Microsoft may tweak it earlier than releasing it. That being stated, the corporate has proven a shift towards pushing Sport Cross, so a completel overhaul of the dashboard with out these advertisements appears unlikely.
Home windows PC gross sales are down
Microsoft earnings got here out this week for FY23 Q1. The corporate reported $50.1 billion in income, together with Floor units and income enhancing by 2%, however it wasn’t all excellent news. Home windows OEM was down 15%, which signifies that demand for PCs and laptops has dropped. Microsoft predicted a decline within the “excessive single digits,” so a decline of 15% is critical.
Whereas PC demand was down within the quarter, Microsoft noticed double-digit progress throughout Azure, LinkedIn, Workplace 365 Business, Workplace shopper merchandise, and Dynamics.
Steam units file for concurrent customers
Steam hit a milestone for concurrent customers final weekend. The favored gaming platform had over 30 million customers throughout a 24-hour window, which was up from the earlier high-water mark of 29,986,681. Steam utilization has gone up constantly because the platform launched, however it took a dramatic flip upward when the worldwide pandemic started.
Figures have bounced up and down every month however usually trended upward over time. With colder climate on the way in which within the northern hemisphere, extra folks will probably hop onto Steam, setting new information.
Assessment roundup
Along with masking the newest information, our consultants overview {hardware}, software program, and devices every week. During the last seven days we took at have a look at the AMD-powered Lenovo Slim 7i Professional, Resident Evil Village: Shadows of Rose, and rather more.
