DeBERTa (Decoding-enhanced BERT with disentangled attention) is an AI model that Microsoft has recently updated. The new model has 1.5 billion parameters and 48 Transformer layers. After boosting DeBERTa, Microsoft Research wanted to put the improved model through its paces. Turning to the SuperGLUE benchmark, the results were amazing. In fact, the AI model became the first language processing and understanding AI to beat human performance. DeBERTa got a macro-average score of 89....

File Restore was originally launched for business users back in January. As we mentioned then, the feature allows OneDrive users to easily restore their files from any point from the past 30 days. This is extremely helpful if you accidently delete a file, recover lost data, or head back to a safe point if you suspect an attack. It is the latter function that Microsoft is talking up. The company presents File Restore as a solid way to combat ransomware....

As with all Windows 10 apps, the Photos Add-on is available in the Windows Store (soon to be the Microsoft Store). However, there is no description that explains what the app does or why it has been installed. Over 169 reviews, the app has been given a one and a half start rating. The most common complaints involve it being installed without permission, viewing photos on a device, and slowing down other apps: “I didn’t ask for this, I didn’t approve this, I didn’t even know you were planning on installing this....

Marble was previously the Windows Insider Program Architect and says Microsoft will pursue making coding more accessible. His first action has been to create Microsoft Dev Circles, which Marbles describes as an “evolution of Cohorts”. As an Insider Program feature, Marble is well aware of Cohorts, which is designed to create better user feedback. “No surprise, we’ll start with Insiders… there are 10-plus million of them around the world. We think ALL of them should learn to code....

Since Microsoft announced its event, I have speculated the obvious candidate for launch is a replacement for the Surface Pro. While we believed it would be the Surface Pro 5, it seems Microsoft is skipping a number and heading to a Surface Pro 6. That is logical. Last year, the company replaced the Surface Pro 4 with the Surface Pro. Microsoft removed the numbering and with good reason as the current Surface Pro is an incremental update on the Pro 4....

The platform has proven somewhat popular in the game’s industry already, utilized for games like Rainbow Six: Siege, Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, and Hitman . The unit, known as ‘Gaming Cloud’, will both assist developers and create new services. Azure can help with content like DLC, subscription models, online matchmaking, and more. It will likely be aided by Microsoft’s acquisition of PlayFab earlier this year. The company provides cloud services for games and its staff could be a help in many areas....

Microsoft is expanding its rural broadband initiative after early rollouts have proven successful. By Utilizing TV whitespace, Rural Airband looks to bring high-speed internet to underserved areas in the U.S. The company’s initial plan was to reach 2 million people by 2022, but Microsoft President Brad Smith says that’s now looking conservative. According to the executive, the project is running ahead of schedule and should be available to 3 million people in that time period....

The trailer and event emphasized many aspects of the dual-screen Android device. Its productivity, design, and communication features were much talked about, but gaming wasn’t. For a brief moment in its trailer, the Surface Duo showcased Forza Horizon 4 via Microsoft’s game streaming service, xCloud. Its top screen worked like a traditional monitor, while the bottom contained custom, updating controls for the title. A Thumb-free Experience With the new form factor, Duo has removed many of the concerns I had for game streaming on mobile devices....

These are topics Microsoft has talked about extensively, with healthcare the only major talking point missing. Still, the GDP impact is arguably less important than what AI can do to limit climate change. According to the study, the US could have the biggest reduction in greenhouse gasses, a drop of 6.1%. It would do so through a mishmash of different AI-powered technologies, such as traffic optimization, renewable efficiency, and smart energy consumption....

Ok, so no one really looks forward to service agreements and most would outright skip them. However, the Microsoft Services Agreement covers the company’s legal back more than anything. We guess if you are particularly concerned about how Microsoft runs itself, the agreement is worth checking out. The company has detailed some of the most important changes, which you can see below. It is worth pointing out the Microsoft Services Agreement does not cover several major products....

Specifically, the app will be available with all its source code on Microsoft’s GitHub platform, alongside documentation to guide developers in how to create using Soundscape. Microsoft says it is seeking a “community-driven approach”, saying: “As Microsoft Research continues to expand into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software release of the Soundscape code supports the community in further developing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences....

Microsoft SQL is one of the most popular database management systems and is used by major internet apps as well as millions of smaller services. One problem is many of the deployments – especially smaller ones – do not have proper security and are protected with weak passwords. In a new report, Ahn Lab’s ASEC says threat actors are now exploiting this vulnerability with Cobalt Strike. Attackers will scan servers to find open TCP port 1433, which is one sign a MS-SQL server is public-facing....

The Graduation Gift Guide is aimed at parents who want to reward their children for their accomplishment. Writing on the Windows blog, Editor-in-Chief Mollie Ruiz-Hopper explains: “Graduation is a milestone in one’s life. It signals the end of an era – and the beginning of something new. Starting April 24 through June 18, Microsoft Store is offering great savings on Surface devices, select Windows 10 PCs, VR headset, headphones and more to help the grad in your life celebrate with a gift that can help them tackle everything that lies ahead....

1 Panay Tease2 Coming Soon? Let’s start with the Your Phone update for Android and Windows 10. As you may know, this is an application that allows users to mirror their Android or iOS smartphone to Windows PC and use it on the desktop. Your Phone is more advanced on Android and as the Surface Duo is based on Android’s platform, the app will play a big part in Microsoft’s push for business users....

Surface Earbuds promise market-leading sound driven by Microsoft’s immersive “Surface Omnisonic” audio technology. However, early adopters of the product are not getting an ideal first impression. Reports of a popping or hissing sound when listening to the Earbuds are gathering momentum. This sound is said to be in the background all the time. Regardless of task (calls, music) or the connected device (phone, laptop), the hissing is persistent, say affected users....

Microsoft’s next two Surface devices could define the company’s hardware strategy for the near future. The Surface Pro 5 will arrive with a lot to live up to, but has plenty to build on. The Surface Phone, on the other hand, will land on the market as a plucky underdog. For the former, building on earlier success should provide a winning formula, but for the Surface Phone, Microsoft will have to shoot for the biggest name in the business....

Leading the significant changes will be an embrace of MEMS microphones on the Surface Studio 3. Deemed a seismic leap in audio technology, MEMS microphones deliver sharper sound quality. Microsoft has been using MEMS technology in its Surface Hub collaboration hardware for several years. However, transferring the tech to a smaller device poses issues. MEMS microphones are too big for thinner devices, even a relatively large form factor like the Surface Studio....

Thankfully, it’s priced at the same $999 as its predecessor. It seems Microsoft is adjusting its strategy to provide variance to its $799 Core m3 4GB configuration. For the extra $200, some may now be persuaded to choose the new model, especially with student discounts. Though other retailers haven’t removed their listings for the 4GB version, we assume they will do so soon as stock dwindles. As well as adjusting its internal sales, the switch could also help against competitors....

In the COVID-19 world of remote work, there seems to be enough market for everyone. Both Microsoft Teams and Slack are enjoying surges in usage and popularity. However, it is Teams that has beaten Slack to another important milestone. As MSpoweruser reports, Microsoft Teams has reached 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store. In comparison, Slack is still slotted into the 10+ million category. Furthermore, Teams currently has a higher rating on the Android platform with 4....

The icon brings it in line with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which got their new ones last week. For those who like things uniform, it should be a nice relief. Beyond that, though, Teams users can utilize Microsoft Whiteboard during meetings, switch to new languages, and access trending messages more easily. It also marks the debut of a new praise feature. “Praise is a new way to encourage each other at work,” explains Microsoft....