ONLY 3 DAYS TO GO | You have less than a week to upgrade to Windows 10 for free

MANILA, Philippines — Microsoft highlighted that more than half of qualified PCs in the Philippines are at risk of missing out on the free Windows 10 upgrade offer which will end July 29.

According to web traffic analysis tool StatCounter, 56.4 percent of PCs in the Philippines are still running on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, both of which are eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

“Windows 10 is the fastest growing version of Windows in history, and more than 350 million active devices around the world today run on the most personal and productive version of Windows we’ve ever created,” said Karrie Ilagan, Country Manager for Microsoft Philippines. “We strongly encourage eligible PC users to take advantage of the free upgrade to enjoy great new features on Windows 10 that will truly enhance their personal computing experience.”

Since launch, Windows 10 has seen the highest customer satisfaction rate among customers as compared to previous versions of Windows. In addition, there has been incredible customer engagement with more than 135 billion hours of use on Windows 10 since launch. From students to mobile professionals, Windows 10 has created new computing experiences that are more engaging, more natural and more productive.

In addition, the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update will roll out globally on August 2, bringing key breakthrough new features to all Windows 10 PCs, including more security features for the most secure Windows; increased power efficiency, extensions and accessibility with Microsoft Edge; a better gaming experience with Xbox Play Anywhere; and innovations for the modern classroom where education customers can enjoy a range of new features in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Ilagan added, “With Windows 10, our vision was to provide the best and most secure operating system that gets even better over time. The Anniversary Update is just the first step in our commitment to consistently add new features and innovations that people love to Windows 10. Customers who take advantage of the free upgrade today can do so with the full confidence that they will continue to reap the benefits Windows 10 will offer down the road.”

Microsoft is encouraging all qualified PCs to upgrade to Windows 10 immediately, before the free upgrade offer ends on July 29, 2016. After July 29, users who missed the free upgrade offer will have to purchase a new Windows 10 product license to keep their devices up-to-speed with the Anniversary Update.

source: interaksyon.com

Microsoft plans celebratory debut of Windows 10

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft on Monday announced plans for a celebratory debut this month of Windows 10 operating software designed to spread the US software titan’s offerings across a broad range of devices.

Word that Windows 10 would be welcomed in grand style came less than a week after Microsoft said it will cut 7,800 jobs and write down the value of its struggling mobile phone division acquired last year from Nokia by some $7.6 billion.

The announcement represented the second major round of layoffs in a year for the US tech giant, which cut some 18,000 jobs a year ago as part of its effort to integrate the Finnish-based phone group.

Microsoft said in a statement that it would “restructure the company’s phone hardware business to better focus and align resources.”

Microsoft will make the latest version of its Windows operating system will available July 29 for computer and tablet users.

Insider events

Special events are planned in 13 cities around the world in tribute to those who took part in a Windows software test period, Microsoft executive Yusuf Mehdi said in a blog post.

“We will celebrate the unprecedented role our biggest fans – more than five million Windows Insiders,” Mehdi said.

“These celebrations will offer hands-on opportunities, experiential demos, entertainment and opportunities to meet the Windows team.”

The list of cities where Windows 10 launch events will take place includes Beijing, Sydney, Tokyo, London, New Delhi, Sao Paolo, and New York.

The new Windows 10 software will come as a free upgrade to people who already use Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and will be available in 190 countries.

Windows 10 will come pre-installed on Microsoft-compatible computers and tablets from July 29 and will be available for purchase later in the year.

The move marks a major launch for Microsoft, after the relative failure of Windows 8, which was rolled out in 2013.

High hopes

Microsoft has high hopes for Windows 10, which it wants to see installed in a billion devices around the world by 2018.

Windows 10 boasts a common base on which developers will be able to build apps that work on smartphones, tablets, PCs and desktops, and even Xbox.

As part of the launch celebration, Microsoft will invest $10 million to support missions of nonprofit groups including Malala Fund, CARE, Code.org, Special Olympics, and The Nature Conservancy.

While it still dominates the market for personal computers, Microsoft has struggled in the market for mobile devices, the majority of which are powered by the Google Android system or Apple’s iOS.

Satya Nadella, who became CEO in 2014, is seeking to reinvigorate a company that had been the world’s largest but which has lagged in recent years as Google and Apple have taken leadership of the tech sector.

source: interaksyon.com

Windows 10 coming in 190 countries, 111 languages

WASHINGTON — Microsoft says its new Windows 10 operating system will be coming “this summer” in 190 countries and 111 languages.

In a blog post late Tuesday, Microsoft executive vice president Terry Myerson said the operating system designed for multiple devices would also have a “small footprint” for connected devices.

“We continue to make great development progress and shared today that Windows 10 will be available this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages,” he said.

Microsoft has yet to provide a precise date for the launch of the operating system, which is aimed at powering PCs,smartphones and also connected devices such as bank machines and medical equipment.

“For the first time, a new version of Windows for small footprint IoT (Internet of Things) devices will be available — for free — when Windows 10 launches,” Myerson said.

“Windows 10 will offer versions of Windows for a diverse set of IoT devices, ranging from powerful devices like ATMs and ultrasound machines, to resource constrained devices like gateways.”

Microsoft is also working with fast-growing Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi to test Windows 10 on its devices.

The US tech giant also announced partnerships with Chinese-based Tencent and Lenovo to help customers in China upgrade to Windows 10.

The company also said Tuesday that Windows 10 will allow users to sign in to a device without a password by using biometrics, including facial recognition.

source: interaksyon.com

Microsoft profit falls on sluggish Windows, currency pressure

SEATTLE — Microsoft Corp on Monday reported a fall in its quarterly profit that was in line with Wall Street forecasts, as sluggish personal computer sales dampened demand for Windows software and the company struggled with the impact of the strong U.S. dollar.

Shares of the world’s largest software company, which have surged to 14 year highs in the past few months, fell 3 percent in after-hours trading, to $45.63.

“While currency is a headwind for Microsoft and other large international companies, we would characterize the headline numbers as good enough, although some bulls may have been hoping for a bigger beat,” said Daniel Ives, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets.

Microsoft’s flagship Windows business has been under pressure for three years as PC sales have declined, although the market appears to be stabilizing in recent months.

Currency shifts against the strong U.S. dollar also crimped profit in the fiscal second quarter, ended Dec. 31, although Microsoft did not specify by how much. Microsoft gets almost three-quarters of its revenue from overseas, but a significant amount of that is still in U.S. dollars.

“Overall, the only surprise I think was in commercial licensing, where we had a little bit of a headwind from foreign exchange as well as macro conditions in China and Japan,” the company’s chief financial officer, Amy Hood, said in a phone interview with Reuters.

Commercial licensing is chiefly sales of Windows and Office to business customers, which is Microsoft’s biggest revenue generator.

Microsoft reported profit of $5.86 billion, or 71 cents per share for the latest quarter, compared with $6.56 billion, or 78 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Sales rose 8 percent to $26.47 billion, largely due to the acquisition of Nokia’s phone handset business last year.

Analysts had expected revenue of $26.3 billion and earnings of 71 cents per share, on average, including some restructuring costs.

source: interaksyon.com

Black Ops 2: Gamers claim they got early copies

Gamers have told Newsbeat they've managed to get copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 more than a week before its release.

The title is not due out until 13 November but on Friday three gamers showed Newsbeat copies of the game which they claimed were genuine.

They also said they knew a lot of people who already had it.

It's also been reported that it's become available to illegally download via torrent sites.

Gameplay videos have appeared on YouTube in recent weeks.

Cadz, 22, and Abdul, 25, said their physical copies of the game were genuine and claimed to have a receipt.


The pair said they got six copies from a friend and that "shops break release dates sometimes".

Newsbeat tried to contact Activision but they didn't want to comment on pirate copies or early releases.


Last month, Microsoft banned gamers caught with pirated versions of Halo 4 on the Xbox Live.

You've been commenting on this topic on Newsbeat's Facebook page. Here's a selection of your posts:

Ross Overton said: "Had Halo 4 about three weeks before it came out.

"These gaming companies should keep things more locked up then maybe people would not take advantage of getting it early and cheaper."

Sammy Tranter said: "I got a legit copy on Saturday from a PS3 retailer. Hooked on it already.

"Getting it early certainly does not mean getting it cheaper, as a few of you have speculated."

Joe Marshall said: "It's a joke, everyone should get it all on the same day, make the playing field even.

"I could have bought it early from a source but chose to wait as there was no point... I only play online too, which you can't do if you have it early."

source: bbc.co.uk