Popular consumer operating system (OS) Windows, marks new user milestone, reaching one billion devices. Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Modern Life, Search and Devices, Yusuf Mehdi shared this in a blog post. Thanking customers, partners and employees for more than one billion active Windows 10 devices.
Today we’re delighted to announce that over one billion people have chosen Windows 10 across 200 countries resulting in more than one billion active Windows 10 devices. We couldn’t be more grateful to our customers, partners and employees for helping us get here.
This announcement means one out of every seven persons on the planet uses a Windows 10 device.
The Journey
In July 2015, Microsoft launched Windows 10 as a free upgrade to its older operating systems. Releasing the OS in seven versions: Windows 10 home, mobile, pro, enterprise, education, mobile enterprise and internet of things (IoT). The company envisioned the OS running on 1 billion devices before or by 2018.
Twenty-four hours after the general release of Windows 10, Microsoft reported it was running on 14 million devices. The number increased to 75 million upgrades by the end of July 2015. Finally, it has taken the company two more years to reach the target. There is the belief that Microsoft mobile which was scrapped along the way could have helped the company in meeting this target.
Here is a timeline of how the OS was adopted over time. With moments where it looked as if Microsoft was forcing the upgrade on users.
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A year ago, Microsoft announced it will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. Starting today January 14, 2020 the company is officially ending support for the OS. You can still use your computer but Microsoft will no longer provide you with technical support for any issues, software updates and security updates or fixes. I’ll tell you how risky this is in a bit.
In the wake of this announcement, only 65.4 percent of Windows devices worldwide run on Windows 10 according to stats from Stat Counter. It also shows that 26.8 percent of Windows devices still run on Windows 7. With about 1.3 percent still living in the Windows XP era.
Compared to Europe, 23.1 percent and the United States of America, 17.9 percent, Africa has 39.7 percent of Windows devices still running on Windows 7. With only 49.9 percent running on Window 10.
For consumers this is the end of the road. Organizations on the other hand might pay a hefty amount monthly for Microsoft to provide them with these services.
Using an unsupported Windows 7 device will leave a user or business prone to several cybersecurity attacks. Resulting in losses and damages.
What Next after Windows 7 end of support?
As support for Windows 7 comes to an end, here is what Microsoft encourages you to do if you are still using the operating system.
While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. Going forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10. And the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC. While it is possible to install Windows 10 on your older device, it is not recommended.
Kindly refresh, more to come …
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Portégé X30L-G, the world’s lightest thirteen inch business laptop, debuts at the floor of CES 2020 in Las Vegas. Manufacturer Dynabook Europe GmbH, says the device meets and exceeds Microsoft’s Modern Device standard.
Uniquely designed for portability
It is a very light device weighing only 870g. Uniquely designed for portability the company calls it. The new Dynabook comes powered with the latest 10th generation Intel comet lake U processor and 4GB of RAM. With varying SSD storage options to choose from.
Dynabook engineered the Portégé X30L-G to to cover extreme environmental variables with the MIL-STD-810G standards. The laptop is put through military-grade drop, temperature, humidity and dustproof testing. To demonstrate its overall robustness, ensuring it can withstand the challenging demands of today’s mobile workforce.
Device features include a sharp non-reflective 13” IGZO FHD LCD screen. Two USB 3.0 ports, a USB type-C port, full-size HDMI port and Gigabit-LAN port.
“The launch of the Portégé X30L-G demonstrates our continued commitment to developing devices which are built with the modern day enterprise workforce in mind“, says Damian Jaume, President, Dynabook Europe GmbH. “The device is a testament to our engineers and their ability to pack powerful business-oriented components into increasingly compact devices. The next generation of lightweight devices is here and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this innovation He continues.”
The Portégé X30L-G will be available in stores from mid February 2020. Estimated basic selling price is $1,599.
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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ahead of Consumer Electronics Show(CES) 2020 announces the Galaxy Book Flex α, Alpha. A new variant of the earlier announced Galaxy Book Flex. Which the company says offers longer battery power, immersive QLED display and an exquisite design. All at a competitive price-point.
“Galaxy Book Flex α is a stellar new variant of the Galaxy Computing line, offering many of the best design, hardware, and display features at an accessible price-point.”
Samsung shares the new device meets the demands of today’s consumers. Who are constantly striving to blend their personal and professional lives as well as everything in between. It combines productivity and premium laptop experience with the mobility and flexibility of a smartphone, the company notes.
The 2-in-1 PC device is thin and light, weighing 1.19kg and 13.9mm thick. Spots an aluminum frame with sharp diamond-cut edges. It runs on a 10th generation Intel Core Processor, 8 GB of RAM with up to 1TB of storage. Other features include a built-in biometric reader and pen support. Device battery life is estimated at 17.5 hours, with the ability to fast charge. Samsung says it will be available first half of 2020, starting at $829.99.
Are you using genuine software on your PC? Probably not. Microsoft made a shocking revelation at the launch event of the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative. An initiative aimed at providing affordable Windows products to reduce software piracy in emerging markets such as Africa.
The revelation came out when Deniz Ozen, Regional General Manager, Consumer and Device Sales, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, was talking about increase in malware attacks in the region. He notes that “as per our estimates, only a third of PCs being shipped into Africa include genuine software”. Because of this, data breaches and malware attacks have increased significantly, resulting in loss of important data and decreased productivity,”
According to Microsoft, more than half of the devices shipped into the Middle East and Africa run pirated Windows software. With Africa, experiencing a higher percentage. To put it in context, two thirds of devices shipped and sold in Africa don’t run on genuine software.
Even when it comes to those who try to buy genuine products, Microsoft says the pirated software is often installed without the end users knowledge. Leaving these users to suffer the consequences, which include data loss and unusable PCs.
A pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk
Microsoft discloses, its goal is to “empower people to do great things on a Windows PC”. The company however says “a pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk“.
A report by The Software Alliance reveals the overall rate of pirated software across the Middle East and Africa is 56 percent. Libya and Zimbabwe rate as countries with the highest users of unlicensed software in the region.
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Microsoft is announcing the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative, together with its OEM partners. A bold move to reduce pirating of Microsoft software in emerging markets.
Microsoft announced the initiative at a press briefing held in its Bryanston office in Johannesburg. The initiative, Microsoft says aims to “reduce the prevalence of Microsoft software piracy in Africa“.
we aim to educate consumers on the risks of using pirated software
Through the Initiative, “we aim to educate consumers on the risks of using pirated software” shares Bradley Hopkinson, Vice President, Consumer & Device Sales, Microsoft. He continues that Microsoft will “work with our PC ecosystem partners includingAcer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, Mustek and SMD to make Genuine Windows 10 PCs more affordable across Africa“.
Affordable devices under the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative
Acer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, SMD Technologies, Mustek are OEM partners working with Microsoft to build the affordable devices. This list can increase over the coming years. Windows 10 PCs under the initiative will range from about 150$ to 500$. Covering low to high end specifications. Acer Swift 3, Dell Latitude 3390, Connex Slim Book 2, HP 14 S are some of the early devices announced.
Microsoft’s Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative is currently focusing on genuine Windows 10 rollout at the moment. The company might include other products like Microsoft Office in the future.
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