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Considering they are mass-produced devices the rarity of the Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5 is amazing. Both consoles continue to be in limited supply 18 months on from their launch. A quick glance on webstores shows some people are selling their consoles for hundreds of dollars over asking price. So, Microsoft’s decision to sell refurbished Xbox Series X consoles may be a popular one.

Microsoft’s plan is to cover some of the crazy demand for the Series X by selling certified refurbishments on the Microsoft Store. A brand new Xbox Series X costs $499 at list price, although with demand from official channels low, resellers are offloading devices for as much as $1,000.

According the Store listing, a refurbished model costs $469.99. Yes, that is not much a saving from the list price, but it means you may be able to get your hands on a Series X now without waiting or paying over the odds. However, Microsoft has baked a tricky caveat into this deal. Specifically, the company says customers must buy a digital game with the console.

There is currently a list of around 12 games that you can buy with the refurbished console. Monopoly Plus and Monopoly Madness is the cheapest of those at $27.49. Furthermore, you’ll need to buy a controller, with the white Xbox Wireless Controller the cheapest at $54.99. By the way, a new Series X ships with a controller included.

Worth It or Not?

So, by time you buy the digital game, the used Xbox Series X will cost more than a new one. I’ll let you decide whether that is a good deal or not. Facts suggest it is frankly an awful deal, but the market conditions and availability of new consoles is a factor that cannot be ignored.

If new Series X devices become more readily available, Microsoft will surely need to rethink the price structure for refurbished consoles. Until then, this may be a good way to get the in-demand console.

By the way, if you are unfamiliar with what a refurbished console is. Essentially, it is a used and/or broken Xbox Series X that has been sent back to Microsoft. The company cleans, tests, and repairs it to its quality control standards and then resells it. Microsoft is adding a standard 12-month warranty to the refurbished devices.

Tip of the day: When you boot Windows it delays the launch of startup programs for ten seconds so your desktop and Windows services will have finished loading. If you want to speed up boot time, have a look at our tutorial about how to disable startup delay.

Source Winbuzzer

Intel is readying to launch its 12^th generation processor family known as Alder Lake, promising a noticeable performance gain for upcoming Windows 11 PCs. One of the big questions around any new Intel generation is how much will the new CPUs cost? Well, a leak from a retailer has shown the price of Intel Alder Lake processors.

It seems Intel will be charging more for the 12^th generation than last year’s 11^th generation Rocket Lake CPUs. However, the new Alder Lake family will undercut the price of AMD’s flagship, the Ryzen 9 5950X.

However, there is an important consideration to make when looking at the price of Alder Lake CPUs. Specifically, these processors only work on new motherboards with an LGA 1700 socket. In other words, manufacturers will need to also purchase the new motherboards, which go on sale on November 19.

Below you can see the cost of the Alder Lake series across the range of processors:

Performance and Efficient Cores

Alder Lake is a much-anticipated processor family because it is Intel’s first ever performance hybrid architecture. Intel says this is the biggest change it has made to x86 CPUs for years, describing the Performance-core and Efficient Core:

• “The Efficient-core microarchitecture is designed for throughput efficiency and efficient offloading of background tasks for multitasking. It runs at low voltage and creates headroom to increase frequency and ramp up performance for more demanding workloads.
• The Performance-core microarchitecture is designed for speed, the highest performing CPU core Intel has built. It pushes the limits of low latency and single-threaded application performance and provides a significant boost at high-power efficiency that can better support large applications.”

Tip of the day:

Having problems with pop-ups and unwanted programs in Windows 10? Try the hidden adware blocker of Windows Defender. We show you how to turn it on in just a few steps.

Source Winbuzzer

As remote work becomes more common amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, webcams are becoming more necessary that ever. Furthermore, threat actors are looking for new ways to exploit a new workforce who are heading to their PCs to work for the first time. To help ease security concerns related to webcams, Microsoft has a Windows 10 feature in development.

Specifically, the new tool in Windows 10 will allow users to make their webcams more secure through a simple setting that tells them when the cam is in use. Furthermore, the platform will also notify users about which apps are using the camera.

It’s such a basic function that I cannot believe Windows 10 does not already have this capability. That’s Microsoft for you, but at least the company is now brining this feature to users.

Whenever the webcam is in use, Windows will tell the user with an icon in the taskbar. Hovering over that icon brings up a list showing which applications the camera is running in. You may be familiar with the general concept of the feature because it is similar to how Windows already handles microphone connection.

Windows Latest reports Microsoft is currently testing the tool in Windows 10X. However, it is expected the feature will be available in all Windows 10 SKUs.

Useful Tool

There are numerous reasons why this is a useful addition. During the pandemic, remote work has become a normalcy for millions of workers. Many of those many not be used to working on a camera. Mistakes and mishaps happen, including forgetting the webcam is on while you decide to dance to your favorite song.

Of course, it will also serve a more serious security function too, allowing users to know if an unwanted app is using the webcam without permission.

Tip of the day:

Whether you’re planning an upgrade, tuning CPU timings, or just curious, it’s handy to know information about your RAM. In our tutorial, we show you how to check RAM speed, type, and size using several built-in Windows 10 tools.

Source Winbuzzer

While TikTok is the social media tool of the moment, and Facebook’s everlasting appeal seems to continue, Instagram remains the go-to of choice for influencers and businesses. Looking to stay on top of the in-fashion crowd, Instagram as some new layouts coming soon.

Adam Mosseri, the company’s chief, provided a look at three home screen layout options that are currently in testing. All the new looks provide separate tabs for Shops and Reels.

The first layout placed Home, Reels, Add, Shops, and Profile tabs in the bottom navigation pane. Explore, Notifications, and Messages will be relocated to the top-right corners. Second places Home, Explore, Reels, Shops, and Profile down below and Notifications and Messages top-right, with Add top-left.

Finally, the third layout would put more tabs at the bottom (Home, Explore, Reels, Shops, Notification, and Profile) with Messages and Add moved top-right.

Instagram clearly wants its new Reels tool to be more front and center of the UI experience. Launched a month ago, Reels is the company’s answer to TikTok. It is a short video tool for users on the app.

Tough Few Months

Instagram has needed to weather some problems in recent months. Back in June, Microsoft and other major companies pulled advertising from Facebook in response to the company’s poor handling of racial tensions following the murder of Floyd George.

Brands like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Ford Motor Company have all their ads on the platform. Instagram felt the impact as part of Facebook’s group of services.

Last month, the app became a focus of bad actors conducting phishing attacks. The campaigns were interesting because they went directly through Instagram. Phishing attacks are typically associated with email, and that’s how previous campaigns on Instagram have unfolded. However, the latest attack method involves directly messaging people on their IG account.

This is arguably more effective because users would be more willing to blindly believe a seemingly official IG message on the platform itself.

Source Winbuzzer

Microsoft’s new Surface Duo smartphone is just days away from shipping to early adopters. Despite its imminent arrival, there are still plenty of questions that need answering about the device. One of the most important is how the Android device will handle privacy and security. After-all, Microsoft is pushing the smartphone has an enterprise tool first and foremost.

In a blog post, Microsoft has given more details on how the Surface Duo will manage privacy. While the device running Android has benefits in terms of app availability and general appeal, Google’s platform raises security concerns.

One of the challenges for Microsoft is creating a hugely secure device on a platform that is known for security holes. Working with Google on developing the software for the Duo is a good start. Google often says the stock version of Android is secure. Problems arise when manufacturers tweak the platform with their own software.

In terms of privacy, business users will be eager to know how Microsoft will handle their data. Because of its links to Android, the device comes with Google apps out of the box, such as Gmail, Search, and the Play Store.

Of course, Google’s reputation for maintaining user privacy is hardly stellar. Microsoft says it will collect user data. According to the company, this collecting will be like how it leverages user information on Windows 10. More specifically, in an effort to improve the service the company provides.

Gathering User Data

The Surface Duo will have required diagnostic data that users must give access to, and optional diagnostic data.

Here’s the lost for required information:

• “Device properties such as the manufacturer, processor type, and memory attributes.
• Device settings and configurations, such as networking and peripherals data.
• Basic error reporting, such as whether updates were successfully installed.
• Reliability data about the health of the apps and services.
• Operating system version, configuration details, and updates installed.
• Apps and drivers installed on the device.”

And the list of optional diagnostic data:

• “Additional data about the device, connectivity, and configuration, beyond that collected under Required diagnostic data.
• Status and logging information about the health of system components beyond that collected about the update and diagnostics systems under Required diagnostic data.
• App activity, such as which programs are running on a device and for how long, and how quickly they respond to input.
• Browser activity in Microsoft Edge, including browsing history and search terms.
• Enhanced error reporting, including the memory state of the device when a system or app crash occurs (which may unintentionally contain user content, such as parts of a file you were using when the problem occurred).
• Specific data items collected by Surface Duo diagnostics are subject to change to give Microsoft flexibility to collect the data needed for the purposes described. For example, to ensure Microsoft can troubleshoot the latest performance issue impacting users or update a Surface Duo device, Microsoft may need to collect data items that were not collected previously.”

Microsoft points out neither options compromise the overall security on the Surface Duo.

Source WInbuzzer

Child labor is a major problem around the world, especially in parts of Asia and Africa. Interestingly, it is in these parts of the world where many tech giants build their devices, through partner manufacturers. However, the likes of Microsoft, Apple, Google, Tesla, and Dell say they are not responsible for child labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I guess by proxy, the companies are also saying they are not responsible in factories in other countries where child labor is used.

A federal court case was brought by parents of children killed in mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that help to produce batteries. All the tech giants argue the case should be dismissed and they “strongly condemn” what’s happening in the mines.

For the likes of Microsoft, Apple, and Google, their argument rests on them not owning the mines. According to the companies, they have no interaction with the mines and use an intermediary supplier.

There is no proof which mines the companies use because the cobalt in their batteries cannot be traced to a specific location. Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Tesla, and Google are defendants in the case, which was filed by International Rights Advocates, a Washington DC-based human rights firm. The company is acting on behalf of 14 parents from the DRC.

Not Good Enough

This case raises one of the most problematic aspects of the tech industry. There is absolutely no doubt that services tech giants use to employ sketchy work practices. From child labor to poor working conditions and low pay, it’s an issue that is happening in Africa, Asia, and parts of South America.

Tech companies distance themselves with similar reasons as those offered in this case. However, it remains a black mark on the industry that trillion dollar companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google do little to stop their partners engaging in these practices.

Source Winbuzzer

Microsoft is this week announcing a significant piece of news for Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2). Specifically, the company says the service is now available to users running Windows 10 version 1903 and Windows 10 version 1909.

This is important because it expands the availability and support of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 across more Windows 10 users. Microsoft says the expansion follows customer feedback requesting support for older Windows 10 builds.

WSL 2 is Microsoft’s latest version of the service that allows Linux distros to function within Windows. Distribution can run the original WSL or the updated second version, and users can switch when they want.

At Build 2020 earlier this year, Microsoft announced some big changes for Windows Subsystem for Linux. Microsoft’s announcements had a focus directly on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2. For example, the company showcased hardware acceleration for WSL. This addition means users can now run Linux GUI applications on Windows 10.

Elsewhere at Build, support for GPU compute workflows was brought to the platform. With this ability, Linux tools can tap into GPUs on Windows PCs, allowing hardware acceleration when developing apps. Support for GUI applications also allows users to open a WSL instance and run it like a Linux app in Windows 10.

Expanding Support

With the latest news, users on Windows 10 versions 1903 and 1909 no longer need to use WSL 1, unless they want to. Moving to WSL 2 brings the following benefits to the Windows versions:

• “File system performance now on par with Mac and Linux speeds
• Improved System Call Support for all Linux applications notably: Docker, FUSE, rsync, etc.
• Full Linux kernel built into WSL 2
• Docker Desktop has added support to use WSL 2 as its engine, giving faster startup speeds and improved resource usage.”

It is worth noting only x64 variants of Windows 10 versions 1903 and 1909 support WSL 2 for the time being.

Source Winbuzzer

Minecraft and Jurassic Park are such a match made in heaven that I cannot believe this has not already happened. Of course, I am of the generation that this is Jurassic Park, but for the kids these days, it’s Jurassic World, so I’ll play along.

Microsoft-owned Mojang says Jurassic World is now coming to Minecraft in the form of a new DLC. This is an official partnership that will see the Jurassic World setting of Isla Nublar, including the tourist centers, attractions, and more.

“Have you ever wanted to train a dinosaur? (Yes!) Or create a park filled with awe-inspiring dinosaur exhibits – like the T. Rex or Velociraptor? (Definitely, yes!) Well today’s your lucky day (just 65 million years in the making)… welcome to Jurassic World!”

As this is a movie tie-in, it’s only fitting that the Minecraft Jurassic World DLC gets a high-concept trailer.

Rich Content

Whether you’re a fan of the Jurassic series of not, this looks like an interesting and exciting addition to Minecraft. It’s also a richly stocked DLC with plenty of content for users to enjoy. For example, there are over 60 dinosaurs (more than we ever saw in the Jurassic movies), and 21 skins to choose from.

Minecraft Jurassic World is available now from the Minecraft Marketplace.

In the update, users can control human characters from the movie series. However, I know you’re all on board for controlling a dinosaur, and yes, you can do that. Furthermore, you can become the Park Manager, making this DLC something of a Jurassic Park sim.

As the manager, you can build exhibits, create dinosaurs, train them, find new DNA, and generally explore the game world. Your park will also have workers on hand in the form of NPCs.

Just remember, life finds a way.

Source Winbuzzer

Microsoft will announce the Surface Duo Android smartphone in the coming days. The company is hosting a virtual event on August 12 to present the device to top executives. Once the internal showcase is done, Microsoft will move to an official launch. That could happen before the end of the week.

As part of the pre-launch buzz, Google’s Android division is getting in on the act. Specifically, Hiroshi Lockheimer, the head of Android has teased the Surface Duo on his Twitter account.

One of the big surprises when Microsoft introduced the Duo last year was that it runs Android. It was thought the handset would run Microsoft’s own Windows platform. Instead, Redmond decided Android provides the best chance of success for the smartphone.

Because of the dual-screen nature of the Duo, Microsoft would have worked closely with Google to ensure Android works optimally on the device. This collaboration was alongside Movial, which helped integrate Android into the handset.

Duo Details

In terms of specs, the Surface Duo will reportedly include Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 processor. Incidentally, that’s the same CPU used in the Galaxy Fold. Elsewhere, the Duo will have 6GB of RAM with between 64GB and 256GB of non-expandable storage. Both AMOLED screens will have a 4:3 aspect ratio and 1,800 x 1,350 pixel resolution.

Finally, there will be a USB-C port, Surface Pen support, and a 3,450mAh battery.

In terms of the camera, Microsoft has been quiet on the lens it will use in the Duo. Surface chief Panos Panay promised a high-end camera experience and teased the Duo’s snapper with a photo earlier this year.

Any announcement this week will confirm when the Surface Duo will be available to buy. It seems Microsoft will schedule pre-orders to start by the end of the month, with a release during September.

Source Winbuzzer

Microsoft has updated its Sticky Notes application on Windows 10. With this week’s release, users are getting a bump to Version 3.7 of the useful native tool. While there are no new features included, this update does include some important fixes.

Leading the way is squashing a bug that had been preventing users from accessing Ink Analysis. Specifically, this feature was off limits because of the big. With this fix, users can once again receive ink insights and handwriting analysis.

Moreover, there is an improvement to Insights in Sticky Notes Version 3.7. Now the app will remember insights across sessions, even if the user goes offline.

Below are the official release notes:

• “Ink Analysis is back! There was a bad bug preventing you from getting ink insights and handwriting analysis, but we squashed it.
• Insights is better than ever! We did a bunch of bug fixing and improvements, including remembering insights across sessions and even remembering them when you go offline.
• Selecting text has never been more colorful! We decided to embrace the rainbow – try it on dark mode for an extra delightful experience.
• Various bug fixes, accessibility fixes, performance improvements.”

Developing

Microsoft’s Sticky Notes is increasingly becoming one of the company’s fastest growing services. The app was once viewed as a gimmick, but Microsoft has changed that perception with a flurry of features.

The underpinning technology behind Sticky Note has made its way to other Microsoft services. For example, just last week the company’s Whiteboard tool on iOS, Windows 10, and the web got support for Sticky Notes.

If you use Sticky Notes on Windows 10, you can check out the update at the Microsoft Store here.

Source Winbuzzer