Tag Archives: Microsoft

Technology

What Is Microsoft Power Apps Used For & How Much Does It Cost?

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At its core, Microsoft Power Apps is a flexible instrument that lets organizations construct customized purposes to higher match their workflow. These purposes can then be handed over to the staff, directors, or generally even shoppers. What makes Power Apps alluring is how easy it’s to configure advanced operations that customers can then function with out intensive technical experience.

This little-to-no coding platform follows a easy drag-and-drop interface, which makes creating apps a breeze. Apps constructed utilizing Microsoft Power Apps might be accessed via the online and throughout completely different units. You can create advanced processes, automate them, and ship them as user-friendly toggles or controls. 

Power Apps has an in depth library of pattern apps that you should use as a template. Using connectors, you’ll be able to fuse two or extra Office 365 providers collectively, guaranteeing a easy stream of operations. For instance, an worker administration system could make the most of the information group energy of Excel, the calendar share functionality of Outlook, and SharePoint’s internet hosting capabilities to make the online utility out there to customers. Currently, Power Apps is a useful instrument utilized in organizations that present enterprise analytics or IT options. 

Artificial Intelligence, News

Here’s Why Congress Banned Microsoft’s Copilot AI

“The Microsoft Copilot application has been deemed by the Office of Cybersecurity to be a risk to users due to the threat of leaking House data to non-House approved cloud services,” Szpindor’s workplace mentioned. Data leaks have been an issue for generative AI instruments ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT arrived. In May final yr, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple warned workers in opposition to utilizing instruments like GitHub’s Copilot assistant for coding and ChatGPT. After uncovering knowledge leak trails, Samsung additionally prohibited staffers from utilizing ChatGPT.

A number of months later in June, San Francisco-based Robust Intelligence consultants demonstrated how Nvidia’s NeMo Framework AI software program will be tricked into revealing personal info and skipping previous its security measures. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission additionally investigated ChatGPT for placing knowledge safety in danger. In November final yr, consultants at Northwestern University unearthed strategies to trick customized GPTs into revealing confidential info.

A month later, leaked paperwork obtained by The Platformer revealed the hallucination issues with Amazon’s Q chatbot and that it was leaking confidential knowledge equivalent to the placement of knowledge facilities, unreleased options, and low cost packages. In one other incident, ChatGPT spilled personal details equivalent to person banking info, forcing the corporate to briefly take it offline. With such a shaky historical past, it is no shock that Microsoft’s Copilot has been banned from official machines, though Congressional staffers cannot be stopped from utilizing these instruments on their private units.

Technology

5 Of The Best Apps For Backing Up Photos And Videos

Microsoft OneDrive is a well-liked possibility for individuals who steadily use software program like Outlook, Wood, and PowerPoint. When you join Microsoft 365’s free plan, you’ll obtain 5GB of cloud storage and OneDrive picture and file backup skills. If you want extra storage, you possibly can improve to Microsoft 365 Basic for $19.99 per yr or $1.99 per 30 days, which provides you 100GB of storage together with the online and cell variations of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and different Microsoft apps.

The Microsoft OneDrive app is sweet for those who’re on the lookout for an all-inclusive package deal that means that you can again up your photographs and movies together with different software program to assist with work, faculty, and different every day life actions. However, bear in mind that some options listed on the app’s preview web page are solely out there you probably have a paid subscription like entry to a complete folder on the app whereas being offline. Still, with such excessive evaluation scores, it could nonetheless be price it for you.

News

Sticking With Windows 10 Instead Of Upgrading? Get Ready To Pay For Security Updates

The official date Microsoft has set for the tip of assist to Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. That’s somewhat greater than 10 years after the OS was first launched in 2015. Meanwhile, Windows 10 continues to be vastly extra well-liked than its successor, run by almost 68% of Windows customers in comparison with underneath 27% operating Windows 11. So, after years of attempting the carrot, the corporate is now breaking out the stick, hoping that customers would quite improve to Windows 11 than pay a subscription to get safety updates for 10.

In Microsoft’s end-of-support replace for Windows 10, the announcement of ESU subscriptions is on the backside. The doc spends most of its size urging customers to improve from Windows 10 to 11, even when meaning shopping for a brand new PC that helps the present model.

Clearly, greater than two years after its launch in 2021, many customers are nonetheless reticent about making the soar to Windows 11, and there are just a few causes for that hesitation. First, their present PC might lack the {hardware} to assist it. Second, new variations of Windows have traditionally been hit-and-miss, so individuals who love Windows 10 might fear they will not really feel the identical about 11. Lastly, Windows 11 settings have to be adjusted after an set up to take away some actually egregious native promoting and bloat. No matter the explanation, Microsoft clearly needs to make sticking with Windows 10 the least interesting choice to shoppers after it ends assist.

Technology

How To Quickly Add Emojis In Microsoft Outlook

According to 6sense, more than 3.3 million companies use Outlook as their mode of communication, accounting for at least 40% of the market share in the email management category. While Outlook offers many features such as ignoring conversations, sharing Outlook calendars, and reminding you to attach files to your messages, there are still lighter, more casual conversations where emojis are most definitely welcome.

If you find that the emoji pickers in both the desktop and web versions of Outlook are tucked away behind many buttons, there are quicker ways to add emojis to your messages.

Adding Emojis in the Windows desktop app

Windows emoji picker on Outlook SlashGear

For the Outlook desktop app, there are two ways to quickly insert emojis into your messages. The first method involves bringing up the emoji picker. In the Outlook reply box, bring your cursor right where you want to add the emoji. Then, press the Windows keyboard shortcut Win + . (period) or Win + ; (semi-colon). If you’re on a Mac, it’s Control + Command + Space. The emoji picker panel will appear on the screen, and you can scroll through the options to find what you want to use. 

The second method is to set up custom shortcuts for your frequently used emojis. Here’s how to do so:

  1. Reply to an existing email or create a new email in the Outlook desktop app.
  2. Navigate to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
  3. Change the Font to Segoe UI Emoji and the Subset to Extended Characters – Plane 1.
  4. Click on your preferred emoji.
  5. Hit the AutoCorrect button at the bottom.
  6. In the Replace field, type the shortcut you want to use. Make sure it isn’t a common word that’s already on the auto-correct list. To be safe, you can opt to use symbol combinations like :] or ^.^ as your shortcut.
  7. Click on Add.
  8. Hit OK to exit the dialog box.
  9. Close the Symbol picker dialog box.
  10. In the reply box, try using your shortcut. It should automatically be replaced with your chosen emoji.

Adding Emojis in the web app

Outlook web emoji picker Marinel Sigue/SlashGear

When using the Outlook web app, there are two methods to quickly add emojis to your messages. The first is by utilizing the emoji picker built into your computer. This feature is accessible not only in the Outlook desktop app but also in any text box across your device. For Windows PC, press Win + . or Win + ; to pull up the emoji picker. On a macOS, use Control + Command + Space.

The Outlook web app also offers its own emoji picker. To access it, compose a new email or reply to an existing one and type a colon (:) in the reply field. You should see the basic emoji picker on the screen, composed of six frequently used emojis (teary-eyed laugh, heart, heart eyes, sob, blush, and unamused). To see more options, click on the three horizontal dots. This opens an expanded emoji picker on the right side of the screen. You can switch between tabs like smileys, people, animals and nature, food and drink, travel and places, objects, and symbols to locate the particular emoji you wish to add. Alternatively, there’s a search bar at the top, where you can enter the emoji name.

Technology

How To Separate Names In Microsoft Excel And Google Sheets

If you’re using Microsoft Excel, you can separate names using the Convert Text to Columns Wizard. Here’s how to use the tool in the desktop app:

  1. Open the Excel sheet and select the column that contains the names you want to separate.

  2. Click on Data at the top and select Text to Columns.

  3. In the Convert Text to Columns Wizard, select Delimited under file type.

  4. Click Next.

  5. Choose the appropriate Delimiters. This could be a comma or space, depending on your formatting.

  6. A preview will show you what the separated names will look like. Click Next.

  7. Next to Destination, click on the arrow and choose the column where you want the separated names to appear.

  8. Click Finish.

If you’re using the free online version of Excel, use this method instead:

  1. Select the column with the names you want to separate.

  2. Click Data and select Text to Columns.

  3. Select your Delimiters such as commas or spaces.

  4. A preview will appear on the screen.

  5. Click Apply.

  6. The names will automatically separate into the selected column and the one next to it.

If there are no empty columns, Excel will warn you that it will replace the text in the column to the right. Therefore, it’s best to make sure you have an empty column next to the list of names to avoid losing any data.

Gaming, News

Microsoft Launches Xbox Repair Parts for Purchase

Microsoft is introducing a new initiative that allows customers to purchase Xbox repair parts directly from the company. While there has been no official statement from Microsoft, it appears to be in a beta or testing phase to assess user behavior. If successful, this program could pave the way for more device repair options in the future.

There are several reasons behind Microsoft’s decision to offer self-repair assistance. The Xbox has a dedicated modding community, and this service would greatly benefit them. Additionally, by providing exclusive and high-quality repair offerings, Microsoft can manage excess stock effectively.

The primary reason, however, is Microsoft’s commitment to transparency and supporting self-service repairs, as outlined in their 2021 agreement with shareholder advocacy group As You Sow. This agreement aims to empower consumers who prefer self-repair options rather than relying on original manufacturers. Over the years, Microsoft has made strides in enabling self-service repairs, starting with products like Surface laptops. Including Xbox products in this initiative marks a significant advancement. Let’s hope it becomes a permanent offering.

News, Technology

FTC Halts Case Against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Merger

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has temporarily suspended its case against the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. The main concern raised by regulators was that Microsoft could gain an unfair advantage in the market by limiting Activision games to its Xbox platform, on both consoles and in cloud gaming.

In response to these concerns, Microsoft took steps to alleviate them. The company signed a 10-year deal with Nintendo to offer “Call of Duty” on the Switch and future platforms. This move was aimed at addressing worries about Microsoft’s dominance in cloud gaming. Microsoft also reached a similar agreement with Nvidia to ensure the franchise remains available on its own cloud-based game streaming platform, which competes with Xbox’s streaming service.

While Sony initially hesitated to accept the “Call of Duty” deal, the company eventually agreed to it in July 2023. Sony, being a major opponent of the merger, had concerns about the future of its PlayStation platform. The U.S. antitrust regulators focused more on the console and PC gaming market, while the U.K.’s competition watchdog also placed strong emphasis on the cloud gaming landscape.

However, given the relatively small share of cloud gaming in comparison to the overall impact of the merger, Microsoft is well-positioned to convince the competition watchdogs on both statistical and practical grounds. Microsoft has yet to comment on the FTC’s decision to withdraw its in-house trial, but it seems that the massive merger in the gaming industry is on track to be completed by the end of this year.

News, Technology

The Vatican’s Plan to Ensure Responsible AI

The Vatican has released a handbook titled “Ethics In The Age Of Disruptive Technologies” (ITEC handbook), which outlines its principles for responsible AI. To develop these principles, the Vatican drew inspiration from the AI principles of Microsoft, Google, and IBM. While Google collaborated with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics to draft its AI principles, it has also faced notable controversies related to AI technology.

The ITEC principles emphasize that AI should uphold human dignity and rights, empower individuals instead of oppressing them, and promote overall human well-being. These principles also advocate for justice, accessibility, diversity, and equity at every stage of AI development. Additionally, the handbook highlights the responsibility to protect the Earth’s biodiversity and consider climate impacts, as the planet belongs to all forms of life.

Accountability is a crucial aspect of the ITEC principles and covers users, corporations, and development. Transparency and oversight are essential in the development of AI models to address concerns of data privacy and copyright infringement. Notably, the handbook mentions the Getty lawsuit against Stability AI and artists’ worries about potential AI replacements as examples. The authors of the handbook acknowledge that some principles may conflict with one another, and in such cases, the well-being of humanity should take precedence.