Windows 11 and 10 users have been hit by a bug that affects those with Intel GPUs and causes games (or any software using DirectX or Direct3D) to run into errors and crashes.

Neowin reports that Microsoft has now confirmed that the cumulative updates for November 2022 (KB5019980/KB5019961 for Windows 11, and KB5019959 for Windows 10) caused this issue. To be clear, this affects PCs running on integrated graphics from an Intel CPU - not anyone using one of Intel's dedicated Arc graphics cards.

So, if you’ve been encountering a DLL error (apphelp.dll to be precise) that has been messing with your PC, now you know the reason – but the important thing to note here is that the bug is only affecting older Intel graphics driver versions.

Microsoft tells us that the problem pertains to Intel driver versions 26.20.100.7463 up to 30.0.101.1190, and that: “This issue might happen intermittently and affects apps which use DirectX or Direct3D to render part or all of their content.”

The software giant promises us that it’s working on a solution right now, and we should get an update on when it’ll be inbound soon.

---

Analysis: Newer drivers, no problems

At least the bug is only ‘intermittent’ according to Microsoft, which means that it may not necessarily occur that much even if you are running one of the mentioned Intel graphics driver versions. Of course, those are older drivers, so you really should have updated to a newer incarnation by now anyway.

It’s important to keep drivers at least relatively up-to-date, because otherwise you may miss out on important security fixes. As time rolls on, vulnerabilities in software and drivers are inevitably found – and nefarious types may try to exploit them. So tech companies fix drivers and apps as they go along, which is why it’s always a good idea to run the very latest version.

GPU drivers can be a little bit of a different story in some respects, as for example, performance levels could potentially drop in your favorite PC games with any given new driver release (this shouldn’t happen, but it does occasionally, particularly with older graphics cards). So while gamers don’t always keep their driver on the latest version, as long as they’re running something pretty recent, they should be covered just fine.

In the case of this bug, we’re talking about Intel driver versions that are at least a year old (or much further back), and at that point, it’s definitely time that folks should be looking to move on to a newer driver. This just goes to show that old drivers aren’t just a security risk, but they are more likely to run into bugs, too.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/py4HIho

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/DvxtFgS

TV and soundbar maker Vizio today announced that the Viziogram feature for its 4K TVs is now available for all users. Previously, Viziogram was in a Beta program and required user registration. Now, all that’s required to get up and running with it is to download the Viziogram iOS or Android app to your phone and create a Vizio account.

What is Viziogram? It’s a platform for sending photos or videos from your phone directly to a TV. Viewers receive an on-screen notification upon receipt, and they can instantly display the photo or video, or save it for later viewing.

You might be wondering if the feature works on all of the best 4K TVs, or just Vizio ones, and the answer is just Vizio smart TVs – both new models and select sets dating back to 2020. You don’t have to own a Vizio TV to send Viziograms, but the recipient does, and they also need to have signed up for a Vizio account and agreed to your “friend” invitation (boy, that process sounds familiar) to receive pictures and videos that you send.

Vizio’s inspiration for the feature came from company founder William Wang, who wanted to share “moments with my mom, directly to her living room.” Clearly, a main use case for Viziogram is sharing pics and vids with an elderly parent or relative, someone who may not be as tech savvy or “online” as younger generations.

According to Vizio, the process uses end-to-end encryption, so “photos and videos stay private, secure, and visible only to those recipients.” The photos remain in your library in the Viziogram smart TV app for 7 days after viewing and are then automatically deleted. As for any unviewed photos, they'll remain for 30 days before expiring. Users can send up to 10 photos at a time in one Viziogram, or up to 70 seconds of video.

The new feature, which is automatically rolling out to compatible Vizio TVs, is part of the company’s auto update program, which is meant to add value to its sets by continually making the SmartCast user interface “smarter.”

Other new auto updates for 2023 include a Recent Apps row that presents the viewer’s regularly used smart TV apps in a horizontal bar in the SmartCast interface; a Quick Menu that pops up in a compact area onscreen and offers a list of high-level TV settings; and WatchFree+, a cable TV-like EPG that displays all programs in Vizio’s WatchFree+ ad-supported free TV portal.

Analysis: TVs are the new smartphones – or are they? 

There’s no shortage of ways to view photos on a smart TV. The Roku platform has its PhotoStream app, Google TV has Google Photos, and viewers with an Apple TV 4K can not just access their Apple Photos library, but invite other family members to contribute pics to shared albums.

Casting is another easy way to view photos on your TV, with various smart platforms allowing you to wirelessly stream photos or video from your phone via Chromecast or AirPlay.  Vizio’s TVs feature both Chromecast built-in and AirPlay 2 support, which lets viewers cast content to the company’s TVs. So what's up with this Viziogram feature? 

When I reviewed a Vizio M-Series QX TV in 2022, one feature I found lacking was some type of screensaver to display art. New TVs from Samsung and LG provide ambient modes that let the set transform into a picture frame when not in use, display a single image, or a sequence of stored images. And the built-in photo apps in the Google TV and Roku platforms mentioned above offer similar slideshow functionality.

Vizio’s new Viziogram feature is nothing like those, but more of a social media type application – a private Instagram for TVs. Hearing about it reminded me of a time many years ago when social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter actually did have smart TV apps. (Facebook still has an active Facebook Watch app that lets you stream Facebook video content directly to a TV, though they will be ending support for it in early 2023.)

Do you need a private Instagram for your TV? Sending pictures to parents or relatives so they can view them on the big screen does indeed sound like a perfect application for the feature. It would also encourage people to buy Vizio TVs for their parents – something I’m sure the company was mindful of. As the latest addition to the company’s series of auto updates, it’s certainly a smart one, even if most people will be perfectly happy just casting photos to their TV from their phone.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/DvxtFgS

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/vZkjKTB

A popular finance and budgeting mobile app was leaking email addresses and other sensitive data to anyone who was logged in to the platform, researchers discovered earlier this week.

As reported on BleepingComputer, cybersecurity researchers from Trustwave were looking into the traffic of an Android, iOS, and Windows app called Money Lover using a proxy and the Web Sockets view in the browser's Developer Tools, when they stumbled upon a quickly populating list of email addresses and other data. Further investigation uncovered that the emails belonged to users of the so-called “shared wallet” feature.

Shared wallets leaking

As a finance and budgeting app, Money Lover allows multiple users to collaborate on a single, shared wallet. Think of it as a wallet for the home budget, where multiple household members can log their expenses and track overall spending. As expected, users sharing the same wallet can see each other’s emails. However, so can anyone else who’s logged in to the platform, and that’s the problem. What’s more, researchers have found that live transaction metadata was also being broadcast.

Read more

> What is phishing and how dangerous is it?

> Everything you need to know about phishing

> These are the best firewalls right now

"The shared wallet transactions disclose user information, such as the user's email address and shared wallet name," Trustwave reported. "The email address and shared wallet name can be viewed via the Web Sockets tab of the browser's "Developer Tools." All Money Lover users who make use of the Shared Wallet feature are affected by this issue."

The researchers did not say when they discovered the vulnerability, or how many users were affected. What we do know is that Money Lover was downloaded more than five million times on the Google Play Store, alone. 

To keep their emails safe, users are advised to update the app to the latest version as soon as possible, otherwise their email addresses might get bombarded with phishing emails and malware infection attempts.

• These are the best identity theft protection solutions right now

Via: BleepingComputer

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/vZkjKTB

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/r4SDN9j

Zoho has launched a new online collaboration and communication software suite designed to take on the likes of Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.

The launch includes Trident, which combines email, messages, audio and video calls, calendar, and tasks in a package that’s worryingly (for Microsoft at least) similar to Teams.

Power users will also likely enjoy making use of a number of integrations and widgets from Zoho’s own catalog (like CRM, Desk, and Projects), as well as third-party tools (like Asana and HubSpot). 

Zoho Trident

The company says Trident will appeal to the growing number of workers who find themselves fed up with having to open several different apps to communicate with colleagues and external clients, with a more unified approach.

The beta version is available for customers to test out, but they’ll need a fairly up-to-date OS to handle the software. Trident operates on newer builds of Windows 10 and Windows 11, and macOS High Sierra 10.13 and above. TechRadar Pro has asked Zoho for more information about its full general availability.

Read more

> These are the best video conferencing software choices

> Get ready for a file management revolution with Zoho WorkDrive

> Google has unveiled its vision of the future of video conferencing

Alongside Trident, the company also announced details of a handful of other new products, including the self-explanatory Webinar, the expansion of its Zoho Voice platform across more apps, an AI-powered grammar tool called BluePencil, a universal drag-and-drop experience, and a handful of other refinements. 

The entire Zoho Workplace package is available in two tiers: Standard ($3/£2.40 per month), and Professional ($6/£4.80 per month).

Zoho says it client base has now reached 16 million, representing a 30% year-on-year growth. Going on the offensive, the company claims that Google, Microsoft, and GoDaddy migrations to Zoho Workplace almost doubled last year.

• We’ve rounded up a list of the best free office software

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/r4SDN9j

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/CUutdcf

Microsoft is retiring the free version of its video conferencing app and introducing a new free app, but you won’t be able to transfer your data over unless you upgrade to a paid plan.

The company has confirmed that from April 12 2023, ‘Microsoft Teams Free (classic)’ will no longer be available, suggesting that users instead upgrade to ‘Teams Essentials’ for $4/£3 per user per month.

In its place, customers will be confusingly able to sign up for the legacy free app’s replacement, ‘Teams (free)’.

Microsoft Teams free

In order to maintain access to your chats, files, and meetings, Microsoft suggests paying for one of its Teams plans, which completely defeats the purpose of offering its customers a free option. 

With a paid plan, of course, comes other tools like cloud storage and the Office suite, but many small businesses may already be using free office software in order to keep their monthly spending under control.

Read more

> These are the best online collaboration tools

> Microsoft Teams Premium is officially here for everyone

> Is Microsoft Teams free or paid? Teams pricing, explained

If you’re adamant that you want to remain on a free plan, it’s possible to manually transfer files from the legacy version to its replacement, however there doesn’t seem to be a way to transfer meeting and call data if this is important.

To make matters worse, Microsoft explains on its announcement page that from April 12, data belonging to the retired free app will be deleted and lost.

TechRadar Pro has reached out to Microsoft to get a better understanding of its decision. We also asked the company whether users will be able to upgrade to a paid plan, then downgrade to the latest free version, in order to keep their data. The company did not immediately respond; any updates will be posted here.

• Here are the best headsets for conference calls

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/CUutdcf

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/qv5COQf

Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick has spoken about the impact of the GTA 6 leaks on the business and, more importantly, its team. 

While the GTA 6 leaks seemed quite significant at first, as various videos and images were shown of the unfinished title, the CEO of Take-Two says that it hadn’t affected the business in any negative way. 

“As a business matter, we're not affected,” Zelnick told IGN. “But as a personal matter and an emotional matter, our teams are affected." While it’s a good thing that the business wasn’t damaged by these unexpected leaks, they were still “really frustrating and upsetting to the team,” Zelnick said. 

A Message from Rockstar Games pic.twitter.com/T4Wztu8RW8September 19, 2022

See more

Stubborn leak 

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding GTA 6 as many fans have already waited ten years for the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series since Rockstar released GTA 5 in 2013. According to a report by Bloomberg, developers working on GTA 6 suggest a 2024 or 2025 release window, which is still a long way off – what am I going to play in the meantime? The Saints Row reboot?

This just seemed to make things worse for those who had waited so long for the next GTA game

While we knew the game was in development, Rockstar had been classically stoic about its progress and what would be on show in the new game. The first concrete details about the game came from the 90 leaked videos and screenshots from the early alpha build still in development. 

While there had been previous rumors about the next GTA title, such as the possibility of a female protagonist or the fact that the series could return to Vice City, these leaks were the first substantial piece of content that fans could dig their teeth into. But unfortunately, this just seemed to make things worse for those who had waited so long for the next GTA game. 

One more ruined  

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Leaks can ruin a good game, no matter how excited I am for a title’s release. As an avid Pokémon fan, when Nintendo announces a new title, I find myself unplugging the wifi and barricading my door to protect myself from unwanted information. 

In my opinion, most leaks either spoil information about a game I would want to find out for myself or make fans worried about something they have little to no control over. 

After GTA 6 was leaked, I saw a flurry of confused and angry posts on Twitter about how disappointing the graphics of this highly anticipated game looked. It got so bad that some users came out in defense of the devs. In a Twitter post, user Tom Henderson described how GTA 6 was far enough away from its potential release window not to need good graphics.  

The amount of people saying that GTA 6 looks terrible is actually frightening. You're looking at a game build that's over a year old and won't be released for another what, 2 years?September 18, 2022

See more

At the end of the day, while these leaks gave some a better idea of what to expect from the game, the biggest impact I saw was simply making people frustrated or worried about the future of GTA. 

No developer wants its game to start with that kind of rhetoric. So no matter what happens in the future, I’ll be closing my eyes and ears until the devs feel ready enough to give out more information on GTA 6, no matter how excited I am for this game to release.  

• Games like GTA to play while waiting for GTA 6

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/qv5COQf

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://www.techradar.com/news/watch-this-ridley-scotts-impressive-samsung-galaxy-s23-ultra-short-film

Hackers have found a way to disable certain antivirus programs on Windows devices, allowing them to deploy all sorts of malware on the target devices.

Cybersecurity researchers AhnLab Security observed two such attacks last year, where the attackers found two unpatched vulnerabilities in Sunlogin, a remote-control software built by a Chinese company, and used them to deploy an obfuscated PowerShell script that disables any security products the victims might have installed. 

The vulnerabilities being abused are tracked as CNVD-2022-10270 and CNVD-2022-03672. Both are remote code execution flaws found in Sunlogin v11.0.0.33 and earlier.

Abusing an anti-cheat driver

To abuse the flaws, the attackers used proofs-of-concept that were already released. The PowerShell script being deployed decodes a .NET portable executable - a tweaked Mhyprot2DrvControl open-source program that leverages vulnerable Windows drivers to gain privileges at kernel level.

This specific tool abuses mhyprot2.sys file, an anti-cheat driver for Genshin Impact, an action role-playing game. 

"Through a simple bypassing process, the malware can access the kernel area through mhyprot2.sys," the researchers said.

Read more

> Microsoft's own mistake may have left users at risk of malware attacks

> Installing gaming drivers might leave your PC vulnerable to cyberattacks

> Here's our take on the best endpoint protection right now

"The developer of Mhyprot2DrvControl provided multiple features that can be utilized with the privileges escalated through mhyprot2.sys. Among these, the threat actor used the feature which allows the force termination of processes to develop a malware that shuts down multiple anti-malware products."

After terminating security processes, the attackers are free to install whatever malware they please. Sometimes they would just open reverse shells, and other times they’d install Sliver, Gh0st RAT, or the XMRig cryptocurrency miner.

The method is known as BYOVD, or Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver. Microsoft’s recommendation against these types of attacks is to enable the vulnerable driver blocklist, thus preventing the system from installing or running drivers that are known to be vulnerable.

• These are the best firewalls around

Via: BleepingComputer

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/FQjGT5N

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/ZCvwxRD

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/FQjGT5N

Born as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004, today's Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in digital safety. 

Its mission? Promoting ways to safely browse the web - like the use of security software like VPN services, for example - while raising awareness around the biggest threats people face online. 

In this year's edition, organizers wanted to explore the issues affecting children's and teens' online lives to make a positive change in this direction.    

"The internet can be a dangerous place for anyone but especially children, who are more vulnerable and impressionable," said Evan Smith, Technical Manager for one of the best proxy providers around, Proxyrack. "The dangers can vary from misinformation, graphic content and communication with strangers, therefore knowing how best to approach the topic of safety is crucial."

Keep reading as he shares with us some tips to assist parents and educators to secure their kids against the risks of the digital world. 

✅ What is #SaferInternetDay?✅ What does it stand for?✅ How can we all play our part for a better internet?Find answers to all your questions about #SID2023 at https://t.co/4uJi0OixGQ. This year is extra special, as we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary! pic.twitter.com/M5JvNfXl1sFebruary 6, 2023

See more

1. Limit kid's online time

Despite a huge portion of many adults' lives being lived online, it's important for kids to keep digital activities to a minimum. As Smith explained to us: "By only allowing them an hour or two a day you can help reduce any risks of sleep deprivation or behavioral issues formed through reliance on technology and devices."

Security software can also be of help here. For example, ExpressVPN offers its own router called Aircove, which allows parents to limit connectivity for certain devices thanks to its Group Device feature. 

Some devices may also offer restrictions or time limits in their settings. For example, both iPhones and Android devices offer a feature that limits use after a certain time, so making the effort to set these up is well worth it.

2.  Set clear rules 

Similarly as above, experts recommend setting boundaries on both devices and screen time. 

That might be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, the risk for your child to face online dangers will be reduced. Kids will also learn the importance of sharing devices with others. The latter point is especially relevant if they are using family iPads, laptops or smartphones.  

3. Switch on parental and privacy controls

Parental and privacy controls are vital for protecting children's online life. As Smith said, these are especially important as they can "help you feel more comfortable about what it is your children are able to access online." 

Such controls allow you to restrict access to adult content, for example. They also protect your children from dangerous sites and videos through both search engine searches and social media platforms. 

So, make sure to keep your settings updated at all times. Again, security software can be handy here. Security suites offered by the best antivirus or VPN providers, for example, all come with a range of parental controls for giving you even more control over your child's internet usage.

4. Keep an open dialogue around online safety 

Maintaining open conversations around online dangers might be the most effective way of ensuring kids' online safety, experts suggest. 

"You want to avoid any secrecy and build a trust that will ensure they come to you with any worries they might have," Smith said.  

This will then reduce the chances for children hiding issues they face when online. It can also help parents and teachers to adapt their strategies for the best results.

5. Keep track on their online friends

Last but not least, make sure you know who they're talking to online at all times.

Younger generations are increasingly engaging on social media, from an earlier age. These platforms are full of people looking to take advantage of such vulnerable users. 

While it is crucial to discuss the dangers of talking with strangers even though it's just online, you should also keep track of their online conversation and ensure they know how to report any issues when necessary.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/7WxNiEV

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/7WxNiEV

Hackers are exploiting a known vulnerability in VMware’s ESXi servers on a huge scale, targeting endpoints across Europe and North America, government officials and company spokespeople have confirmed.

Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) has warned businesses using these VMware products to update their devices immediately, and thus stay safe from the ongoing cybercrime campaign. 

ANSA (a major Italian news agency) further said that besides servers in Italy, hackers also targeted those located in France, Finland, the United States, and Canada. 

500 victims and counting

Reports have claimed “dozens” of organizations in Italy were affected by the campaign. The agency says companies were warned to take action “to avoid being locked out of their systems”, suggesting that the attackers were using the vulnerability in ransomware campaigns. 

Across the Atlantic, US cybersecurity officials were analyzing the incoming reports:

"CISA is working with our public and private sector partners to assess the impacts of these reported incidents and providing assistance where needed," Reuters cited the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

A VMware spokesperson said the hackers were abusing a flaw that was discovered in early 2021, and patched in February of that year. The company also urged its customers to apply the patch immediately. 

Read more

> You're a ransomware victim: Here's 5 things you should do

> This new ransomware is seeing rapid growth, so beware

> Remove viruses and ransomware with the best malware removal

A separate report published by The Stack claims more than 500 companies have so far been affected by the campaign and indeed, it was a ransomware attack. Businesses in France are allegedly worst-hit. The country’s national government computer security incident response team, CERT-FR, says the attack is semi-automated, targeting servers vulnerable to CVE-2021-21974.

The flaw is described as an OpenSLP HeapOverflow vulnerability, allowing threat actors to execute code remotely.

So far, we don’t know which ransomware group initiated the attack and which encryptor is being deployed, but reports are saying that roughly 20 servers get hit every hour.

• Here's our rundown of the best firewalls right now

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/0EXDeim

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is already one of the most expensive smartphones available, but it sounds like Apple is laying the groundwork to release something even pricier, based on fresh comments from the company's CEO, Tim Cook.

Bloomberg reports that, in Apple's Q1 2023 earnings call, Cook was asked whether the rising average sales prices of iPhones was sustainable, to which he replied “I think people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category,” adding that iPhones had become “integral” to people’s lives.

Cook didn’t specifically say whether prices will continue to rise, but that comment certainly suggests that he thinks customers could be persuaded to pay ever more for the company's prized smartphones.

It’s a surprisingly confident statement, especially in the current financial climate. Even in a healthier economy, the idea of people needing to “really stretch” their budget to afford a smartphone seems sub-optimal and even distasteful. So it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

But then people do love iPhones, and there may well still be relatively affordable options, like the iPhone SE (2022) and even the base iPhone 14.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max could look affordable compared to future models (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

In fact, Mark Gurman – who has a good track record for Apple information – claims in the same Bloomberg article that Apple may plan to expand the selection of available iPhones.

Gurman claims that Apple will first look to further differentiate the different models with the iPhone 15 line, in particular by exclusively giving the iPhone 15 Pro Max a periscope camera, for longer range optical zoom.

Then, next year the company might add an additional model, in the form of an iPhone 16 Ultra. This would apparently sit above the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so you might have five models to choose from – the standard, the Plus, the Pro, the Pro Max, and the Ultra. That is, unless Apple ditches the Plus, since currently those models reportedly aren’t selling brilliantly.

Gurman says Apple has internally discussed adding an Ultra model to the top of the line, possibly in time for the iPhone 16 series in 2024, but it sounds like the decision hasn’t been made yet. He additionally speculates that this superphone would have even better cameras, a faster chip, and possibly a larger display, along perhaps with no charging port – so it would have to juice up wirelessly.

While it sounds like those features are just speculation for now, it’s certainly sounding more likely that Apple could add a super-premium iPhone Ultra to its line-up following Cook’s comments. So we could soon find ourselves in a situation where the top iPhone truly is out of reach for a lot of people – or at the very least requires them to stretch their budget an uncomfortable amount.

---

Analysis: what about the iPhone 15 Ultra?

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard talk of an iPhone Ultra, but previous leaks suggested we might see one this year, and that rather than sitting above the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Ultra might replace it.

Based on Gurman’s claims here, it sounds like the most important aspects of those leaks may still be accurate – namely that the top model this year will clearly stand out above even the iPhone 15 Pro. It’s just that Apple might not put Ultra in the name, with an even more ludicrously expensive Ultra handset coming next year instead.

But whether this year’s top model is called the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 15 Ultra, the way it’s reportedly going to be positioned coupled with Cook’s comments, means there’s a good chance it will cost even more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max – which for reference starts at $1,099 / £1,199 / AU$1,899.

So, if you want the best iPhone of 2023, then you might have to really stretch your budget.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/ShWA0Z6

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/ShWA0Z6

Installing the latest Windows 365 updates and fixing other issues should hopefully be less disruptive for everyone thanks to a new tool from Microsoft coming soon.

The company has revealed it is working on adding new settings that should mean Windows 365 updates or other background fixes don't hijack or restart your PC when you're in the middle of an important task.

The new "maintenance windows" aim to cause as little disruption as possible, the company says, hopefully solving one of the most common complaints for Windows 365 users everywhere.

Windows 365 updates

In its entry on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap, the new maintenance windows are described as covering both downtime and service functions.

Scheduled at regular recurring points, they will cover "general maintenance activities" with the hope of causing the "least disruption to the end-user", Microsoft says.

This should mean less unexpected or annoying device slowdowns or update installs during peak times, as the service learns when you are using Windows 365 most frequently, and conducts its work around that.

The service is still described as being "in development" for the moment, meaning users may not get to experience it for some time. Its roadmap entry says the service is set to be generally available by June 2023, with Windows 365 users around the world able to experience it.

Read more

> Here are our picks of the best alternative operating systems

> Microsoft 365 patches for Windows 7 to end in 2023

> Chromebooks are getting a big upgrade to take on Windows 11 laptops

The news comes shortly after Microsoft also unveiled Microsoft Office 365 Government Secret Cloud, the most secure environment ever for the company’s flagship collaboration tool. It offers especially secure variants of email clients Exchange and Outlook as well as its Office software suite, bringing a level of security and compliance to its productivity tools suitable for government use.

Microsoft is on somewhat of an update push at the moment, recently announcing the end of its Windows 7 and 8 product lines. The aged operating systems stopped receiving Microsoft security updates from January 10, 2023, marking the end of their official lifespan.

• Here's our pick of the best free office software around

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/gb8AJ0U

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/gb8AJ0U

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/V8EqCLi

Chinese media have revealed details on the country’s huge blockchain effort to handle its population’s data, and what it’s capable of is almost unthinkable. 

According to BJD, the Beijing behemoth which has been dubbed the ‘Honeycomb’ comprises 1,000 high-performance servers, the sum of which is able to handle 240 million smart contract transactions every single second.

It’s said that data security and privacy, with a large portion of data verification, will underpin the transactions across a number of industries including travel, online shopping, hospital registrations, financial settlements between enterprises, government collaboration, and much more.

‘Honeycomb’ blockchain cluster

The country’s two-year-old home-grown “independently controllable blockchain software and hardware technology system”, Chang'an Chain, is behind this latest Beijing development. 

Some have touted this as a significant moment for China, as countries like the US have imposed a number of restrictions that prevent the trade of certain technologies.

Read more

> These are the best small business servers

> FBI director worried about how China uses TikTok user data

> Entire US "no fly list" leaked online after being left on an unsecured server

The fact that the country is able to sustain such significant builds and developments is a testament to the fact that it may no longer require other countries’ inputs, placing it ahead of many.

BJD claims that the blockchain cluster could serve to break up “information islands” and allow over 80 departments and 16 districts to collaborate and share data more effectively, all in an effort to nail the “coordination” of its governance system.

The report indicates that it would “greatly facilitate people’s lives”, however for many, it may just be one more step in the wrong direction as the Republic continues to gather more data on its citizens.

• Read our pick of the best cloud hosting providers

Via The Register

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/V8EqCLi

via TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/tmo4TgU

When you’re looking to upgrade your home theatre setup with a brand new 4K laser projector, don’t do what I did and forget to read its spec sheet first, or you might be in for a nasty surprise.

I adore projectors and think that people should at least consider ditching their TV for one. Sure, the best 4K projectors are typically pricier than the best 4K TVs, and you have to ensure your home theater is constructed in the right room – somewhere with a big white surface and no windows (or black-out curtains installed) – for the best visuals. But the atmosphere produced by a projector-fuelled setup and the view-filling images it can create is well worth the effort, in my eyes.

So, in my crusade to convince others that projectors are the way forward, I took the Epson EH-LS11000W that I’ve been testing for TechRadar to my parents’ place to show them what it was capable of. In my review, I was really impressed by the laser projector’s crisp 4K image (which can be blown up to a size of 300 inches) and its picture’s splendid colors – though the contrast in dark scenes isn’t as good as I’d have liked (especially for its price), plus its limited ports and lack of TV OS is a bad combination as you have to waste a port on a streaming stick.

In addition, as I learned at my parents’ house after spending a few hours hyping it up and getting it set up, it lacks any in-built speakers. This realization brought movie night to an instant halt, as my family was not keen to let me borrow their soundbar and ruin their existing TV setup. So I dejectedly returned the EH-LS11000W to its box. TV one, projector zero.

The Epson EH-LS11000W projector  (Image credit: Future)

Right projector, wrong home theatre

This isn’t actually that uncommon for projectors; even fairly high-cost options like the Epson EH-LS11000W (which will set you back $3,999 / £4,199 / around AU$5,750) focus their efforts on producing stellar visuals and leave audio to the best soundbars and best speakers. 

But in my hubris, I forgot this. Instead, I assumed the vents on the side of the machine were so its speakers could emit clear audio, neglecting to think that they could in fact be vents for its 2,5000 lumens laser setup to dissipate heat.

Thankfully, I hadn’t spent any money on this projector as Epson is loaning it to me for the review so the mistake didn’t cost me. If I had just dropped $3,999 / £4,199, then that would've been my entire home theater budget down the drain on an incomplete setup. 

But this moment is a good reminder that even we techies can make mistakes and assume things about a cool-looking product that aren’t accurate. That’s why we always recommend reading through a gadget’s capabilities and reviews before buying it (and don’t just look at the score and move on).  

Speakerless projectors like the Epson EH-LS11000W aren’t terrible, but they’re not suited to every home theater setup. That’s the case for a lot of tech; it’s not about how amazing the appliance is, it's about whether it's great for you and your needs.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/tmo4TgU