The content creator market is a hot one these days. Everyone wants a piece of the action in the content creator space. Of course, it is not like the Microsoft Windows platform was not an appealing platform for content creators in the first place. The Windows PC platform is still one of the most popular platforms in the content creation industry.
That was Windows 10 though. It was a versatile platform that could run anything you ask it to. It could do about anything you want it to with little compatibility issues. Because Windows 11 is pretty much Windows 10 in basic architecture, you should expect pretty much the same compatibility and versatility from Windows 11 devices.
Except, before we even see Windows 11 devices from manufacturers hitting shelves, Microsoft kind of jumped the gun a little and introduced their own Windows 11 devices. We want to say these could be reference devices, but it does not look like Microsoft is interested in creating references devices. Instead, these devices are built to compete and be as premium and powerful as Windows wants them to be for their purposes. The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the very culmination of what Windows envisions a prefect creator class device should be.
First, it is powerful. You get to spec the new Surface Laptop Studio with up to an 11th generation Intel Core i7-11370H. You also get up to 32GB of RAM to work with, which is ample when it comes to video editing, photo editing, and even 3D workloads. On the graphics department, you can opt for a very powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU for an even more seamless workflow. You can store all the works of art in a 2TB SSD (up to).
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Of course, you get the highest standards of Windows 11 experience for creators with the new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. The touch screen display does not just tilt open and close like the regular laptop you might be used to. There is a second hinge in the middle part of the display shell that allows the display to swivel a bit more. You can bring the display closer to you, for example, to have better access to the touch sensitive display. You could also use the Surface Slim Pen 2 to draw on it when you need to. Or use it as a tablet completely, when the mood takes you.
The display is not just some random cheap display too. It is a bright 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow Display that refreshes up to 120Hz, in case you are in the mood for gaming. It is a 3:2 aspect ratio displays at 2,400 x 1,600 pixels; odd, but it is a creator first display. With Dolby Vision as well, you can be proud at whatever film edits you would want to show your clients on the display.
The webcam you get on the Surface Laptop Studio is capable of Full HD resolution for crisp looking video calls. For good measure, the Surface Laptop Studio also comes with Windows Hello face authentication feature on the Surface Laptop. Of course, the Windows 11 device must have far-field mics for voice command and crisp audio for video calls. It also packs four Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos certification. Of course, for smooth, uninterrupted video calls, you have WiFi 6 capabilities on the Surface Laptop Studio.
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio with Windows 11 will be available in select regions 5th of October 2021 onward. Prices start from US$ 1,599.99 (MYR 6,703*) and tops out at US$ 3,099.99 (MYR 12,990*). There are no other colour options other than Platinum on the Magnesium and Aluminium built Windows 11. There are no confirmations on when the Surface Laptop Studio will arrive in Malaysia currently, but we are keeping our ears close to the ground. More information on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio can be found on their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.19 on xe.com as of 23/09/2021
Maxis is working hard on delivering a full complement of services to their customers – be it consumers or businesses. This week saw the launch of one of their newest offerings: Maxis Right Cloud, a one-stop solution for the management of multi-cloud operations developed in-house at Maxis.
Maxis Right Cloud will enable adopters to manage their business clouds from a single platform. Naturally, being a convergent platform, Maxis Right Cloud is cloud-agnostic. This means that it supports not only services from Maxis but also from leading private and public cloud providers like Amazon web services (AWS), Microsoft, and Google. It will allow companies to use a single dashboard to access all the information needed to run the business.
Source: Maxis
The platform is supported end-to-end by Maxis’ very own, in-house expertise. Everything from assessing, designing, migrating, building, securing, and managing cloud infrastructure will be easily accessible on Maxis Right Cloud. Right Cloud is complemented by the company’s competent technical team who have been certified by companies like AWS and Microsoft for their expertise. In addition, the company has also acquired the necessary expertise to complement its workforce from recent acquisitions such as its acquisition of ICMS and Peering One not too long ago.
The Maxis Programmable Network (MPN) provides the backbone for the new offering. The MPN is the first programmable software-defined network with Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) 3.0 certification. This backbone provides a level of scalability and customizability that allows users to be agile and adapt to the fast-changing IT environments without having a lapse in performance.
When it comes to cost, Maxis is looking to adopt a pricing structure similar to leading cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft. Typically, this would entail a pay-as-you-go pay model which should enable SMEs and startups to benefit from the offering.
The introduction of Maxis Right Cloud comes as the latest in series of announcements that gear Maxis to be one of the foremost providers when it comes to converged solutions. The company has been building its capacity to leverage its infrastructure to spur digitization efforts and prepare businesses in Malaysia for 5G adoption.
When Google introduces the Chrome OS and the Chromebooks along with it, everyone was kind of thrilled. Finally, a new operating system (OS) that could take on the giants that are Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Mac OS, even Linux maybe. Sadly, it was not to be that way and the Chrome OS turned out to be something completely different.
The Chrome OS has grown into something completely different though. It has grown into a unique OS that proved popular amongst schools and students because of its simplicity. Because its interface mimics that off an Android smartphone as well, but for a bigger screen, navigation is much more intuitive as well.
The Chrome OS started out as a completely web-based OS which would require you to be constantly online to make it function. Google’s Play Store has added plenty of offline capabilities to Chrome OS and allow the Chromebook to be a productivity and learning powerhouse it is today. One of the best additions for productivity on the Chrome OS is Microsoft’s Office 365 apps like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and even Excel.
It looks like that might change soon though. Microsoft’s Office suite will be leaving the Google Play Store from the 18th of September 2021 onward. That also means that apps like outlook will not be supported on Chrome OS. Microsoft claims that the move of removing their apps from Google Play Store is a part of their effort to optimise the Microsoft experience on the Chrome OS and Chromebook.
You still can access Microsoft’s suite of apps online though. Outlook.com and Office.com will still be available via web and signing into Microsoft account should be a breeze. The only problem is that you must be constantly online for that though. At the same time, the web experience is different compared to the Android App version.
Alternatively, there are Google’s G Suite apps still available on Chrome OS. Of course, with the Chrome OS, the native Google Apps should feel a little more optimised and seamless with your Google account. At the same time, you have an offline experience with G Suite apps on Chromebooks.
Windows 11 was just announced by Microsoft last week. Before the launch though, the new biggest update to the most popular computing Operating System in the world was endlessly teased and leaked. From what we saw too, Microsoft’s Windows 11 is a huge departure from Windows 10 in terms of looks and design.
Centered Task Bar and Redesigned Start Menu
Source: Microsoft
But Windows 11 is more than just a cosmetic change over Windows 10. Then again, when we say it is a major visual change over Windows 10, it was more of a rearrangement on how Windows look and work. For one, Windows 11’s task bar is now centered rather than being aligned to the left of the desktop.
Thing is, the changes on Windows 11 is more than skin deep. The Windows Start menu is still lodged at the leftmost side of the taskbar. It is redesigned though to open up to a bigger window. Gone are the live tiles too which also means less clutter in the start menu.
The focus on the Start menu is more productivity and convenience for users than ever. That is also why you can pin apps on the menu with recommended apps. Of course, you still can access all apps from the start menu, but it is an extra process this time. Less clutter and items on the start menu also means that it is easier and quicker to find things you usually work with from the start menu. Of course, you can still pin all your shortcuts on the Desktop home page.
The centered taskbar though is a clever way to make Windows 11 more touch friendly. The Microsoft Windows interface is notorious for not being the most touch friendly interface in the world. Even Windows 10, the most touch friendly interface of all the Windows versions before it fell a little short even when a stylus is involved.
Multitasking Redefined
Source: Microsoft
Windows 10 did something right though; Microsoft’s Windows 10 got multitasking done right. When you bring a window to different ends of your screen, the window snaps to smaller windows to allow you to fit two to four windows on a single display. Windows laptops can push up to three displays including its own, which also means you can fit up to 12 windows for even more multitasking.
Windows 11 expands on the multitasking capabilities of Windows 10. It is now easier ever to arrange your windows to parts of your display. Instead of the traditional 50:50 ratio you get when you put two windows on your display. You can now adjust so that one of the windows occupy 2 thirds of your display. You can also put three evenly sized windows side by side on one display. That, or have one of the displays occupy half the display in the middle of the display. All you have to do is click on the traditional minimise/maximise window button and choose where you want to put the window.
At the same time, you can create separate desktop home screens for different purposes and for different times. You can create a desktop designed completely for work, for example. Once work is done, you can switch to a desktop for gaming, or a specific desktop for other forms of entertainment like music, or movies. What you want to do with your desktop is by your design.
More Gaming
Source: Microsoft
The gaming industry boomed in the past two years alone thanks exclusively to the current phenomena that is the pandemic. The pandemic situation means that most of us are stuck at home with nowhere to go. That also means that you do not get to hang out with your friends other than in an online space. That online space could a video call watching movies together, or it can also be online gaming. More time at home can also mean more time for games – something we have been complaining we have not got enough time for.
It also makes sense for Windows to be more gamer friendly than ever. The Windows 11 comes with DirectX 12 Ultimate for super high frame rate and super detailed graphics for your favourite games. DirectStorage ensures that your games loads faster and near instantly. Windows 11 also comes with Auto HDR, finally, for more vivid colours and an immersive visual experience.
Then there is Xbox Game Pass, a dedicated gaming store for Windows 11. Xbox Game Pass also means that games that are available on Xbox and Xbox exclusives will be available on Windows. Games like the upcoming Halo: Inifnite will comes to Microsoft’s Windows 11. EA Play also comes at no additional cost on Game Pass.
Widgets Make a Comeback
Source: Microsoft
Widgets were scraped in Windows 10. The idea was that Widgets on the home screen might clutter the desktop too much that your PC looks like a trash can that could not make any sense. The direction for Windows 10 was to make your PC super clean looking.
Windows 11 thinks of widgets differently though. Windows 11 thinks of widgets as a quick way to sort and consume information. Windows 11 also ensures that the widgets you want to work with does not interfere and clutter your desktop or start menu though. That also means that your widgets are all stored in their own separate space. You get your weather updates, calendar, and news from your chosen source all in one glass sheet on top of the desktop.
Apps For and From Everyone
Source: Microsoft
The Microsoft Store has been gaining traction since Windows 10. In Windows 11, Microsoft aims to make the Microsoft Store the only app store you only need. Obviously the Microsoft Store houses all the most popular Windows compatible apps in one place including Adobe’s Creative Cloud, and popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime video, and Disney+.
But it is not just a store for apps. The Store is also a place where users can rent and buy movies and music. Microsoft Store is now the central place for entertainment in Windows 11.
These are nothing new though, we knew that the Microsoft Store will eventually be the place for all things you want in Windows 11. What is big is Windows embracing mobile operating systems. You can now find Android apps in Microsoft Store and run Android apps natively on Windows 11 itself via Amazon Appstore.
Even Better Security
Of course, with every iteration of Windows, security becomes more of a priority than ever. The current Windows 10 with all its major updates and security updates is more secure than ever. Microsoft is also still updating the system to ensure that it is more secure than ever before. Windows 11 builds on the foundations of Windows 10, which is currently Microsoft’s most secure operating system.
In that sense, upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 is basically like a regular system update that you are used to from Window update. Because the basic infrastructure and architecture of the Operating System is the same one as Windows 10, apps that you have on Windows 10 will automatically work on Windows 11.
Windows 11 is also built as a Zero Trust-ready concept to allow users to protect their data and access across all their devices. Of course, there is the requirement that Windows 11 can only work on devices with Trusted Platform Module 2.0. You can easily check if your PC is ready to take on Windows 11 in a few simple steps. You just have to click on your start menu, type and open ‘Run’, and type tpm.msc to find out if you have TPM 2.0 installed on PC.
Windows 11 is Coming Soon
Source: Microsoft
Windows 11 will be rolling out as an update from Windows 10 later in 2021 onward. If you are a part of the Windows Insider Program, you should be able to access an early version of Windows 11 this week onward. For more information on Windows 11, you can check out Microsoft’s website. You can also check if your PC is eligible for the Windows 11 update or not within the same link.
Microsoft has finally rolled out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature to Microsoft Teams after a long wait. This feature is available for commercial or paid subscriber, and it only applies to one-to-one unscheduled meetings. Although, Microsoft mentioned that this feature will be applied in other types of meeting in the future.
This security feature has provided users a better platform to discuss sensitive and confidential matters or topics. Microsoft’s implementation not only encrypts the conversation during the meeting but also enhances cryptographic keys held on users’ devices. In other words, no third party gets access to the meeting or trace the conversations, including Microsoft. The latest security upgrade is supposed to reduce privacy concerns.
On the other hand, PowerPoint Live is one of the new features in Microsoft Teams, it allows users to remotely control the slides, while the viewers or other presenters can privately skip ahead to the content they want without disrupting the presentation. Presenters can review comments, content, notes, and meeting participants on a single screen, which is convenient.
Moreover, Microsoft Teams is offering 3 presenter modes for customized presentations. The 3 modes are ‘Standout’, ‘Reporter’, and ‘Side-by-side’.Only Standout mode will be released within this month (March 2021), Reporter and Side-by-Side mode will be released soon as per Microsoft. Standout mode places the presenter’s video feed front and center. Side-by-side places the video feed right beside the presenter’s slides. Reporter mode is pretty self-explanatory.
Of course, users can leave it in Dynamic Mode to keep things simple. Dynamic View personalizes and automatically manages the frame to the speaker window as people speak up or turn on their cameras. Users can decide to place the participant gallery at the top of their window, closer to your webcam’s placement. This layout arrangement helps maintain a sort of natural eye gaze. Dynamic View will also be coming later this month.
If there’s been one feature that Apple has had that gives it an edge over Android and Windows users – it would be the seamless connectivity between its mobile and computing ecosystems. However, it looks like that is about to change – at least for Samsung Galaxy users. Samsung has been working with Microsoft to bring its Quick Share feature to Windows 10.
Samsung originally introduced Quick Share with its flagship Galaxy S20 line up last year. The feature created a more unified experience between the Galaxy Tab S7 series and the smartphone allowing users to seamlessly transfer files between the two devices. It does this using a peer-to-peer WiFi network which allows quick transfers even for large files.
Quick Share is apparently making its way to Windows 10 devices and soon. Screencaps of the app have already surfaced online. However, there is no indication when the app will be ready for prime time.
Microsoft and Samsung have been making strides in better integrating their devices for a more seamless user experience since. Just recently, the two titans introduced new features to the Link to Windows feature which allows users to use Android apps natively on their Windows PCs if they have a compatible device.
The inclusion of the feature comes as the latest integration of Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem into Microsoft’s fold. Galaxy devices have been launching with “Link to Windows” which integrates the smartphone to the laptop via Microsoft’s “Your Phone” app since the introduction of the Galaxy S10 series.
This news also comes on the heels of Samsung’s latest flagship – the Galaxy S21 series getting support for Wireless DeX on Windows devices. Samsung’s Desktop Experience (DeX) gives users access to their smartphone’s content in a more familiar desktop environment. Wireless DeX removes the required USB connection to the laptop. The feature has been available for Samsung displays for a while now.
Maxis Berhad, one of Malaysia’s biggest telecommunications providers, has been actively differentiating itself from its competition. The company has, in recent months, been focusing on complementing it’s telco services with services which make sense to businesses and also consumers. Not too long ago, the company announced it’s consumer-focused OnePrime, which has now been rebranded to the Maxis Unlimited Postpaid & Fibre, which gave consumers the flexibility of having their mobile and broadband service in a catch-all subscription with added benefits.
At the same time, Maxis has been busy building its portfolio for its business clients with partnerships with companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and more. These partnerships work to bolster the company’s portfolio with more than just telephony and connectivity services. The company has also announced a series of acquisitions including its recent acqui-hire of ICMS (Infrastructure Consulting & Managed Services) which allowed the company to provide better integration with cloud services such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and more. It also brought deeper partnerships with ICMS’s certifications as a Dell-EMC partner and Commvault partner.
The latest announcement made late last week, gears Maxis to be one of the only telecommunications companies in Malaysia focusing on becoming a truly converged solutions provider. The company has acquired Audeonet (M) Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian based unified communications and voice cloud solutions company to bolster its talent pool and services. The acqui-hire also brings on board a team of skilled individuals which will enable end-to-end deployment of Audeonet’s services. The new products and services brought into the fold will allow Maxis’ enterprise and SME customers access to offerings to help them cope with the rigours of the “new normal”.
The acquisition of Audeonet (M) Sdn Bhd also makes Maxis Berhad the exclusive distributor of Deltapath, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider, in Malaysia. In addition, Maxis Business will now also be a Gold Reseller of Lifesize, bringing a cloud-based 4K video conferencing solution into their list of offered services.
Minecraft is a huge game. Say what you want about Minecraft and its weird boxy graphics that you cannot take seriously; the game is one of the most popular video games you can find today. Its online community is also one of the biggest in the gaming community. Plus, they are all very nice people and also very creative. There are people who make a living out of building things in the Minecraft game world. Someone did a measurement of the map size of Minecraft and it is multiple times the size of GTA’s game world. It is that big, it is not a child’s game.
There is more to Minecraft than meets the eye though. The sandbox platform is not just about players going in, gathering materials and then building large, mega-buildings to be shown off to the internet. There is some adventure involved around the game as well. There are elements of survival within the game. All these was always available for PC gamers, and they create their own Minecraft journey.
For beginners then, the game can be quite overwhelming. The vast map, the emptiness of the maps, the endless possibilities. While plenty of gamers enjoy that, there are some that would like more curated approaches to their game storyline. They prefer to indulge in stories rather than creating them. That is the idea behind Minecraft Dungeons, another original project from Minecraft’s developers, Mojang Studios.
We have not had any experience with the game itself, if we are being honest. So we can only comment on what we have seen so far. So far, it looks like dungeon hack-and-slash that we are plenty used to. Minecraft Dungeons can easily be mistaken for a boxier version of Diablo or Torchlight. Those are brilliant games, by the way.
This is not a completely solo experience though. You can co-op with your friends to get to the end of the Minecraft Dungeons journey. We are not entirely sure if there is cross platform playability just yet. Still, playing games online with your friends is a part of socialising these days.
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
While Minecraft was created for PC, Minecraft dungeons is made available for all platforms including Playstation 4 thanks to the co-development of the game with Double Eleven. Double Eleven is the team behind the ever so popular Goat Simulator by the way. The online aspect of Minecraft Dungeon is also worked by Double Eleven if you must know. For your information too, Double Eleven has a Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia studio and they are looking for talents to join them for future projects. You can find out more from their website.
Minecraft Dungeons is available now for PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4. On PC, you can get your hands on the new title on Microsoft Store for MYR 78. There are at least three planned DLCs for the game to be announced on a later date.
Here’s the TechENT Download for the week of 24th February. Boy was it an eventful one for tech! Here’s run down of some of the most pertinent tech news of the week!
AMD Feels the heat from ASUS as the Strix RX 5700 overheats after the company’s recommended settings didn’t cut it for cooling.
Sony releases a slew of devices spearheaded by the Xperia 1 II to usher in a new age of mobile with a focus on Content Creators. Together with the Xperia 1 II, they also announced a new Xperia 10 II and Xperia L4 completing their offerings for the mobile segment.
HUAWEI showed the world how to fold with its Mate Xs. The new foldable spearheaded a whole line up of MateBook D and the new MateBook X Pro laptops and the new MatePad Pro. While HTC is making a come back with its new Wildfire.
More updates as we’re hearing more developments around the COVID-19 impact on the tech industry. This time, it looks like it’s Microsoft saying that its being affected.
We’ve started a new Podcast, techENT’s Tech & Tonic! The new podcast will see us talk about some of the most interesting news and topics in tech with some of our friends in the industry. It is available on Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, Breaker, and other podcasting host channels! If we are not yet on your favourite channel yet, let us know in the comments so that we can work our way there!
