All articles tagged with #microsoft
An opinion piece argues Microsoft has fallen behind in the AI race, potentially eroding its leadership within the Magnificent 7 as OpenAI’s partnerships shift and rivals like Nvidia, Google, and Amazon accelerate AI integration; with the group worth trillions and Microsoft down about 13% this year, the author suggests the Magnificent 7 could become Magnificent 6 and questions whether Microsoft should remain in the index.
Microsoft is winding down most Claude Code licenses for its Windows/Devices teams and directing engineers to GitHub Copilot CLI, a move framed as toolchain unification but driven by economics: token-based AI coding consumes far more compute and money than traditional licensing, a pattern echoed by Uber and Nvidia. The broader takeaway is a market shift from unlimited seats to usage-based, capped models, signaling that the era of “give every employee a Claude Code seat” is ending while AI coding remains valuable but finance-led budgeting will shape its deployment.
Microsoft is reintroducing Copilot as a dockable Windows 11 sidebar (left or right) that expands the desktop when attached. The feature returns to Microsoft's original desktop-integrated design, and admins can remove Copilot via two methods: a registry edit (set RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp to 1 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI) or a Group Policy setting (User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI > Remove Microsoft Copilot App).
Microsoft formalizes its responsible-tech push by consolidating accessibility, safety, privacy and other initiatives into a new Trusted Technology Group led by Jenny Lay-Flurrie, emphasizing ‘build it right and keep it right’ even as the AI race intensifies. The effort includes correcting biased AI representations of blind people by training on anonymized Be My Eyes data, underscoring the need for human oversight and rapid iteration. While Microsoft reorganizes and invests in AI infrastructure amid broader tech layoffs, Lay-Flurrie argues for accountability and inclusivity, with input from disabled communities to ensure AI remains trustworthy and accessible for all.
Microsoft is rolling out a new Copilot docking feature for Windows 11 that lets Copilot snap to the left or right edge (or stay on top as a small window), causing your open apps to resize and reflow around the AI pane. This returns Copilot to the original idea of living alongside your apps rather than as a separate window, following several redesigns, and is being rolled out gradually. The docked Copilot is accessed via a title-bar menu and may be backed by an Edge-based wrapper, with Windows Latest noting the new snapping as a distinct option from the native Snap Layouts.
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claims the 2022 Delaware Court of Chancery lawsuit opposing Microsoft’s $67.8 billion Activision deal was allegedly designed to help Embracer increase its foothold in California at Activision’s expense, a claim he made in his response to the AP7 suit; Embracer denies the accusation and Kotick has previously described other lawsuits as fake amid scrutiny of Activision Blizzard’s past misconduct allegations.
Windows 11’s 25H2 preview (build 26300.8493) brings back taskbar repositioning on any screen edge and a 'show smaller taskbar' resize option, but the experience isn’t as flexible as Windows 10: you must adjust settings instead of dragging the bar, auto-hide is still buggy, vertical layouts show quirks like a shortened year and no seconds, and multi‑row taskbars remain missing.
Microsoft will roll out Office app updates next week that let users disable a floating Copilot button in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and move it back to the ribbon by right‑clicking the Dynamic Action Button, addressing Excel users’ complaints that it obstructs cells; the move follows Microsoft’s earlier removal of other Copilot buttons in Windows 11 apps.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is dismantling the traditional senior leadership team to build a leaner, startup-style inner circle focused on the AI era, creating a new corporate leadership group and a separate Copilot leadership team, while centralizing weekly AI metrics reviews. The overhaul includes promotions and shifts like Arun Ulag expanding his role, and exits or reassignments for Mehdi, Jha, Suleyman, Bell, and others; Asha Sharma is named CEO of Microsoft Gaming as Nadella signals openness to outsiders. The goal is to accelerate AI initiatives and keep pace with faster, more agile rivals.
Yusuf Mehdi, a 35-year Microsoft veteran and the company’s consumer chief marketing officer since 2023, says he will leave after the next fiscal year to help reimagine Windows for the AI era, grow Microsoft 365 services, and push the One Copilot vision, as Microsoft reshapes leadership amid Satya Nadella’s AI reboot.
Microsoft is phasing out SMS-based two-factor authentication for personal Microsoft accounts in favor of passwordless options like passkeys and verified email, citing SMS vulnerabilities to fraud; users can set up a passkey through Advanced Security Options (Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key) and store it on a device, though passkeys can be less convenient on new or temporary devices. No firm date for a full rollout was given, and SMS may remain as a fallback via verified email until then.
Microsoft has appointed two new Xbox executives—Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer and Scott Van Vliet as Chief Technology Officer—along with a role shift for Chris Schnakenberg, as part of a leadership reshuffle aimed at strengthening the console business and accelerating development toward Project Helix. CEO Asha Sharma framed the moves as a way to clarify and improve execution to position Xbox for the future, signaling a renewed emphasis on the Series X|S console focus in 2026.
OpenAI is expected to file for an IPO in the coming days or weeks, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reportedly drafting the filing and potentially submitting it as soon as Friday. The move would mark a high-profile public debut for the Microsoft-backed AI leader behind ChatGPT, amid rising AI infrastructure costs and ongoing listings chatter around rivals like Anthropic and SpaceX/xAI, and follows recent legal developments related to Elon Musk’s suit against OpenAI.
Tributes poured in for Soma Somasegar, a longtime Microsoft leader and Madrona venture partner, celebrated for his generosity and mentorship that touched developers, startups, and Seattle’s tech community across decades.
Microsoft rolled out a new Surface lineup (including four models priced from about $1,499–$2,000) with features like a hardware privacy screen and haptic feedback, while signaling big changes in its gaming division and hinting at Valve’s Steam Machine developments. Wall Street remains bullish on MSFT with a Strong Buy consensus and an average target around $560, and the stock edged higher on the news.