Tag: Recent News

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Empowering NFL clubs and fans with help from the Microsoft Playbook

At Microsoft, we’re honored to partner with the NFL to bring modern fan experiences to the game of football. Since 2013, the NFL has used Microsoft Surface to help manage all aspects of their business and gameday operations. Earlier this year, we expanded this deep technology partnership to include Microsoft Teams, enhancing communication and collaboration across the League, and enabling new digital experiences. In April, when the pandemic made us change our way of life, the League used both Surface devices and Teams to help power the first-ever virtual NFL Draft. And today we’re announcing new innovations – developed with the League and NFL Clubs – that reimagine gameday for players and fans and help keep operations safe during a season unlike any other.

“Microsoft technology has been an integral part of NFL operations for several years,” says Michelle McKenna, CIO, NFL.  “And with the new challenges ahead of us this season, Microsoft will be instrumental in helping us innovate the best possible experiences for our players, coaches, officials, and fans, through activation like the Fan Mosaic and the Bud Light Showtime cam.”

New gameday experiences

  • Crowd energy and engagement energizes players and connects fans to one another. With fans mostly unable to attend games live, the NFL turned to Microsoft to create rich, virtual experiences that bring fans into the game when they can’t be there in person.
  • Using Microsoft Teams technology, key games this season will feature a feed of virtual fans called a Fan Mosaic. The Fan Mosaic will be displayed in stadiums on LED screens, and on broadcast to create a richer viewing experience.
    • For each game, the home team will invite lucky fans to a virtual VIP experience in which they watch the game together via a Microsoft Teams meeting. These fans will see a dual screen display of the live game next to a Gallery View of fellow fans. Each fan video feed will be isolated and mixed into the Fan Mosaic display. Fan audio from the Teams meeting will be mixed with augmented crowd noise customized for each stadium.
  • We also wanted to help the NFL digitally reimagine touchdown celebrations. This season, it will debut the Bud Light Showtime cam in stadiums at key games to give players a new way to connect with fans after scoring touchdowns.
    • After a player scores a touchdown they will see fans from the Fan Mosaic appear on LED screens installed at each end zone, allowing them to connect and celebrate the moment.

New operations experiences

  • NFL Football Operations will reduce the number of representatives onsite at each game. It will use Microsoft Teams to virtually manage operations for all games every week, supporting communication to gameday staff before, during, and after the game, and helping with document collaboration, reporting, and adherence to League and gameday protocols.

Ongoing support with Surface

  • Along with these new Teams integrations, Surface devices continue to be a vital tool for the League, clubs, players, and coaches on and off the field, on game day and every day.
  • Game preparation: NFL Game Officials rely on Surface to prepare for games by analyzing game film and collaborating as an officiating crew and the League office in advance of game day. At the club level, players and coaches prepare for the game with video reviews and playbooks.
  • Gameday: For players and coaches, the Microsoft Surface Sideline Viewing System has become an integral part of the game as Microsoft technology helps power 269 NFL gameday events each year with more than 2,000 Surface devices and 170 Windows Servers deployed across 30 NFL stadiums.
  • Additionally, Surface is an important tool for tracking all elements in-game. For example, it is critical in monitoring key parts of the IT infrastructure during a game.

In a season of countless challenges, we are honored to deploy Microsoft’s powerful combination of hardware and software to help the NFL bring football to people everywhere. With new fan and player experiences and operations solutions that keep everyone safe, we have developed a deep and lasting partnership with the NFL, and we look forward to future collaboration in the days to come.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Xbox and Taco Bell give fans the chance to win an Xbox Series X before they can buy it

It’s that time! For the fourth year in a row, Xbox and Taco Bell are teaming up to offer fans a spectacular giveaway. However, this year is extra special as Xbox and Taco Bell fans in the United States will have the exclusive opportunity to win our fastest, most powerful and compatible console ever – the Xbox Series X – before it launches on November 10.

Beginning September 24, fans who purchase any medium or large drink via the Taco Bell app or in-person will receive a code on the cup for a chance to win a new Xbox Series X bundle. You can play up to three times per day – and did we mention there will be a winner every 15 minutes throughout the promotion?

The Xbox Series X bundle contains an Xbox Series X console, a new Xbox Wireless Controller and a six-month membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold and access to over 100 high-quality games on console and PC. Play new Xbox Game Studios titles such as Halo Infinite (coming 2021) the same day they release and enjoy exclusive member discounts and free Perks. Additionally, starting September 15, Ultimate members in 22 markets across North America, Europe and in South Korea will be able to play more than 100 games from the cloud on their Android phones and tablets.

To get your hands on a free taco and gain even earlier access to win an Xbox Series X bundle, make sure you sign up for Taco Bell’s all-new rewards program. All you need to do is download the Taco Bell app and join the Taco Bell Rewards Beta program by September 13. Those that have opted-in to receive emails will be able to register and gain exclusive access to be included in daily drawings from September 15 to September 21.

Xbox and Taco Bell partnered in 2001 to launch the original Xbox, so it’s only fitting that the two reunite to bring fans the brand-new Xbox Series X almost two decades later.

For complete details, head to the promotion’s official page.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

When a crisis becomes an opportunity: A culture of innovation fuels business resilience and economic recovery

In times of crisis, innovation becomes a necessity. And history tells us that humankind often ends up in a better place.

A cholera pandemic in 19th century London led to the creation of a new scientific field, epidemiology. The challenge of decrypting enemy messages during World War II spurred the development of computers.

With the current pandemic, it’s not surprising to see a similar process of innovation. Since COVID-19 hit the global economy, “we have witnessed firsthand how a wave of transformative change has swept across the region,” says Ahmed Mazhari, president  of Microsoft Asia. “This is no easy feat; organizations have challenges to overcome and innovation is no longer a luxury. It has to form the core part of an organization’s DNA.”

Many others in the business world agree.

A new Microsoft-IDC study, Culture of Innovation, Foundation for business resilience and economic recovery in Asia Pacific (APAC) shows that 41% of businesses view COVID-19 as an opportunity. Those businesses also expect to recover more quickly and come out of the crisis with similar or better revenue than before.

Innovation helps

However, let’s not paint an overly rosy a picture. COVID-19 is taking a devastating toll on human life, and the resulting economic downturn has seen many people lose their jobs or suffer reduced incomes.

In the face of this disruption, people and companies are doing their best to keep going. In Asia Pacific , organizations that are adapting have increased their ability to innovate in the past six months. What’s more, as they embrace change, they are finding it easier to innovate.

Not all organizations are progressing equally, but there are many things we can learn from those leading the way.

Understanding the culture of innovation

The study includes a culture of innovation framework, which describes an interplay of people, process, data and technology to assess how an organization approaches innovation.

It also identifies four stages along the journey to a mature culture of innovation: traditionalist, novice, adopter and leader. Additionally, it provides guidance to help organizations become leaders, so they can respond to challenges and recover faster.

What do leaders have in common?

Almost all (98%) of the organizations identified as leaders, with the most advanced culture of innovation, share a belief that innovation is key to responding quickly to market challenges and opportunities. These leaders are more resilient to crises like the current pandemic and they expect to recover faster.

This resilience shapes their perception of business outcomes. Around 50% of those organizations identified as leaders reported an expected increase in overall revenue when asked what impact they think COVID-19 will have on their overall business in 2020.

Leaders also recognize the importance of digital transformation and are accelerating the pace of digitalization in response to the crisis. Eighty-seven percent intend to speed up initiatives, such as  launching digital products, digital payments, ecommerce and automation. Only 66% of other organizations intend to do similarly.

Beyond digital products, services and processes, leaders understand the urgency of redesigning their overall business models. Indeed, leaders have already rethought their current business models and are exploring new ones to ensure business resilience and faster recovery.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the leaders is their approach to future planning. Leaders are looking to future-proof their businesses by focusing on technological and people capabilities. This attitude appears years ahead of other organizations that are still working on digitalization. Leading organizations know that people are the key ingredient and that empowering them to use technology successfully is the challenge of the future.

People are key

Mazhari puts it this way: “The current crisis has shown us how much business continuity and our future success depend on people, who need to be fully ready to embrace the digital reality, together with technology. While important, technology on its own will not make a difference. It is people’s capabilities and skills that allow organizations to innovate and transform.”

Leading organization share certain best practices that everyone can implement.

Eighty-nine percent have developed a culture promoting disruptive ideas and encouraging innovation as a corporate value. Eighty-two percent prioritize and formalize innovation rewards over traditional performance and hire a diverse cross-industry, multicultural and multigenerational workforce. And 70% invest in growing enterprise-wide capabilities and skilling initiatives.

This openness helps to unlock the potential of people to accelerate transformation.

Resilience and recovery

When the people of an organization have fully embraced the concept of a culture of innovation, the other elements of technology, data and process fall into place.Leading organizations overwhelmingly (92%) invest in disruptive technologies to drive innovation and business transformation.

Leaders are also more systematic in their approach. They develop specific processes to drive innovation. They also have dedicated budgets to drive their digital innovation and programs.

They also understand the importance of leveraging data to differentiate and enhance

their products and services. Additionally, they make decisions to enable enterprise-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing.

This combination of tech adoption and tech capability is known as tech intensity. “Now, with every organization becoming a digital one, achieving the success in transformation requires both the adoption of tools and technologies as well as their own digital capabilities,” Mazhari says. “Culture that encourages innovation and embraces digital opportunities is critical as it prepares the workforce and organizations for current and future challenges.”

The study lays out four steps that any organization can follow:

  1. Fortify resilience with technology
  2. Invest in people’s capabilities and skills
  3. Leverage data to increase competitiveness
  4. Redesign processes to empower people to continuously drive innovation

Mazhari reiterates that the culture of innovation is achieved through the critical combination of technology and employee empowerment.

“To succeed in the new normal and drive digital transformation, we not only need to have a robust digital foundation, we also need to ensure our people have the skills and tools to work together to drive disruption. Ultimately, we want to ensure a more resilient and inclusive future for all organizations. At Microsoft, we are committed to working with organizations in Asia Pacific to make this happen, together.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

AI visits the art museum: Algorithm finds connections among the collections

The art world may not be the first business sector that comes to mind when you think about applications of AI, but a new algorithm developed by Microsoft and MIT is proving to be quite the curator.

Microsoft Research Development Engineer Mark Hamilton
Microsoft Research Development Engineer Mark Hamilton is a PhD student at MIT.

Microsoft Research Development Engineer Mark Hamilton , who is also a PhD student at MIT, helped develop the algorithm, which can find similarities in color, texture, theme and meaning between otherwise disparate works of art. The algorithm was recently highlighted by Smithsonian Magazine and several other publications. We chatted with Hamilton to learn more about the project and how it could be broadly applied to other areas.

Blog: Why art?

Mark: I love art, and we had a previous collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art that let you explore an exhibit, understanding similarities between works of art and visualizing the space between various pieces. MosAIc was inspired by an exhibit that paired art from two artists who never met and showed that they have very similar structure. We thought we could do that on a larger scale, and we are continuing to be surprised by some of the connections we are able to find.

Blog: The algorithm can find similar works of art within specific styles or media based on colors, shapes and content, as well as meaning and themes. How can an algorithm take meaning and themes into account?

Mark: Today’s vision algorithms behave a lot like we do. When we look at an image, we get a gut feel for what it contains, such as the objects, people and composition. We train our neural network to understand thousands of objects across millions of different real-world scenes. We then feed that algorithm artworks and capture its ideas, or gut feel, about these works. These neural network ideas have even been shown to be similar to the ideas that humans have about images. It’s these neural network ideas that allow us to compare the content of different works of art.

Blog: What is new and innovative about the MosAIc algorithm?

Mark: One of the new contributions of the work is a new type of algorithm we call a conditional image retrieval system. If you think about something like reverse image search, you put in an image and find all the similar images from the web. What we have done is allow you to find not only the most similar items across the whole collection, but also any sub-collection such as the Egyptian artworks, the prints or even the works by an individual artist. This allows us to find matches across widely different artistic traditions, which is something that regular approaches cannot do efficiently. More technically, we created a data structure that generalizes K-Nearest Neighbor trees to allow them to specialize to particular sub-collections quickly and efficiently.

Blog: In what other ways could it be used?

Mark: At the core of this, you have a new kind of search technology that can be applied to any data. The data can be images like art, products or really anything you want. One example from retail would be a fashion aware search; you could take your favorite pair of pants and use this approach to find the best matching blouse. In the realm of text and documents, let’s say you have an email that is talking about a given topic. Using our approach, you could pull up all of the memos or receipts with similar content as the email. To make these systems, one could just swap out our vision networks with equivalent networks for text, music or other data.

This approach also gives you the ability to add diversity to your search engines in a controlled and structured way. For example, you could imagine showing not only the top results for a restaurant search, but also top results from other sub-categories like vegetarian food, or Black or African American owned restaurants. This way you can supply results that are relevant and highlight many diverse types of content.

Blog: How can people learn more about this project?

Mark: They can explore the MosAIc app, read the paper about our research, watch our Microsoft Research webinar or check out the code on GitHub.

Caption: One of the MosAIc pairings. On the left, a British dress from 1840. At right, Vaas van paars glas, Chris Lebeau, c. 1924 – c. 1925.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Microsoft and Copenhagen University researchers create new kind of quantum device

In a paper published this week in Nature Physics, a team of researchers from Microsoft and Copenhagen University demonstrated a novel heterostructure with remarkable properties. A heterostructure is, roughly, a device formed out of a sandwich between different solid materials. When the interfaces between the different materials are clean, the device can have properties that would be difficult, if not impossible to obtain in any single material. But when the interfaces contain impurities, the device may capture the worst, rather than the best properties, of the materials comprising it.

The device described in the new Microsoft-Copenhagen University paper is a heterostructure between a semiconductor, a superconductor, and a ferromagnet. The three materials and the interfaces between them were fabricated within an ultra-high-vacuum molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) machine, made possible by the compatibility between the growth and fabrication conditions for the three materials—europium sulfide (ferromagnet), aluminum (superconductor), and indium arsenide (semiconductor)—leading to extremely flat and clean interfaces. 

The authors showed that the device has gate-tunable superconductivity and ferromagnetism induced in and coexisting in the semiconductor. These two phenomena, ordinarily antithetical, are able to peacefully coexist due to a property of indium arsenide called spin-orbit coupling. In fact, when such coexistence occurs in a quantum wire device of the type fabricated and measured by the Microsoft-Copenhagen University team, Majorana zero modes can result, enabling such a wire to be an integral component of a topological quantum computer. The new Nature physics paper shows data that is consistent with the presence of Majorana zero modes in their devices. 

Previous devices without a ferromagnetic layer have exhibited similar signatures upon the application of a large magnetic field, in a direction aligned with the wire. But such a large field brings problems of its own, including the need to align all of the wires in a topological quantum computer to fairly high accuracy, as well as the field’s possible effect on other components higher in the stack. In the devices created by the Microsoft-Copenhagen University team, the magnetic moment due to the ferromagnetic layer is highly localized and automatically aligned with a preferred crystal axis. 

Microsoft’s Quantum program has made a big bet that new methods for the design, fabrication, and measurement of these types of novel heterostructures will be essential if we are to build a commercial-scale quantum computer. While some might argue that tools invented for classical devices will be sufficient to produce quantum devices, Microsoft and Copenhagen University have already shown in previous work that long-envisioned, but never previously realized, combinations of superconducting and semiconducting elements could be grown and fabricated via MBE and probed by quantum transport, overturning conventional wisdom about what is possible. 

Thus, this work, has intrinsic interest as a new device type with a unique mix of features and is also a significant step towards the creation of simpler topological quantum computing systems. It is also another example of how Microsoft and its partners, such as Copenhagen University, are reinventing the science and engineering of quantum devices. 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X launch Nov. 10, starting at $24.99 a month with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play

Now more than ever, gaming plays an important role in our lives. As one of the greatest forms of creative expression, gaming sparks in our imagination and connects us to new worlds, stories, and our friends.

On November 10, a new generation of console gaming begins. That’s when our vision becomes reality with the most performant, immersive and compatible next-generation console gaming experiences, and the freedom to play your games with your friends, anytime, anywhere.

To empower you more than ever to jump into the next generation of gaming, today we confirmed:

  • Xbox Series X, our most powerful console ever made, and Xbox Series S, next-generation performance in our smallest console ever built at a more affordable price, launch globally November 10, pre-orders start September 22.
  • The expansion of Xbox All Access to 12 countries, offering you a next generation Xbox and 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate starting at $24.99 a month, with no upfront costs.
  • EA Play Comes to Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost.

Bringing the Next Generation of Gaming to Everyone on Day One

We believe that access to the next generation should be available to everyone. And we know that price is an important factor for many of our fans. To complement Xbox Series X and invite more players into the next generation sooner, we built Xbox Series S—an all-digital, next-gen console designed to deliver everything that is core to next-generation gaming – faster load times, higher frame rates, and richer, more dynamic worlds – in our smallest, sleekest Xbox ever. Developing two consoles in parallel from the beginning enables us to deliver the most powerful console ever in Xbox Series X and make next-gen gaming available and affordable to more players on day one with Xbox Series S.

Empowering you with freedom and choice is core to everything we do at Xbox. In addition to the traditional option of purchasing the new generation of Xbox Series X and S at $499 (Estimated Retail Price) and $299 (Estimated Retail Price) respectively, we’re expanding our Xbox All Access program to 12 countries this holiday, with more to come in 2021.

Whether you’re upgrading to the newest consoles or joining the Xbox family for the first time, Xbox All Access is the easiest way to get the best of Xbox. Xbox All Access provides an Xbox Series X, or Series S, along with 24 months of the full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate experience. In total, that means you get access to:

  • The next-generation Xbox console of your choice
  • Over 100 high-quality games to play on console, including next-gen Optimized games
  • Over 100 high-quality games to play on PC
  • An EA Play membership to play more than 60 of EA’s biggest and best console and PC games
  • And over 100 games to play from the cloud

That’s all with no upfront costs and a low monthly price. Xbox Series S will be available starting from $24.99 a month for 24 months and Xbox Series X will be available starting from $34.99 a month for 24 months.

The Ultimate Gaming Membership Goes Beyond the Console and Keeps Getting Better

With the Xbox Game Pass community now over 10 million players, we know how critical it is that your friends can easily access and play the same games you can. And you’ve pushed us to make Xbox Game Pass the only membership with access to more than 100 games on your console, PC, and mobile.  

To provide even more value, we are teaming up with Electronic Arts to provide Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC members with an EA Play membership at no additional cost starting this holiday. This means Ultimate members can enjoy EA Play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Windows 10 PCs, and Xbox Game Pass for PC members get EA Play on Windows 10. In addition to the 100+ games in the Xbox Game Pass library today, Ultimate and PC members will be able to play more than 60 of EA’s biggest and best console and PC games like FIFA 20, Titanfall 2 and Need for Speed Heat, as well as titles from some of EA’s most popular franchises like Battlefield, Mass Effect, Skate, and The Sims. Some of the best EA Play games will also be available for Ultimate members to play on Android devices from the cloud at no additional cost.

And we’re continuing to add great games and experiences to Xbox Game Pass for PC. Game Pass for PC and the Xbox App will become generally available on September 17.

The Best Place to Play the Biggest Games

When Xbox Series X and Series S launches this November, it will herald a new generation of game experiences. Optimized games for Xbox Series X and Series S coming this year are built to take full advantage of our fastest consoles ever. On day one you will be the first to enjoy next-gen versions of the most anticipated games of the year such as Gears Tactics, Tetris Effect: Connected and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion. Ubisoft is known for leveraging new technologies and the power of new hardware to deliver groundbreaking games, and we think you’ll be blown away by the experience you’ll have playing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion on Xbox.

Xbox Series S is designed around the same technology that will make these games and so many others look and feel incredible. In speaking to game developers, we identified the areas that are most difficult to scale effectively, including the CPU and I/O, and made it easy to include Xbox Series S for developers who are targeting their experiences for Xbox Series X.

Powered by the Xbox Velocity Architecture, you can expect the same benefits from Xbox Series S such as faster load times and Quick Resume. Xbox Series S also supports all the same next gen features including HDMI 2.1, frame rates up to 120fps, DirectX Raytracing and Variable Rate Shading. It will also support Spatial Sound, including Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision via streaming media apps like Disney+, Vudu and Netflix at launch. Plus: Dolby Vision support for gaming will come first to our next-gen Xbox consoles in 2021.

And the new Xbox consoles are also the only next-generation, backward-compatible consoles that allow you to play thousands of games from four generations better than ever before, and empower you to play with friends wherever you want across your console, PC, and mobile device.

The Best Generation of Gaming Yet

Gaming has evolved in the last decade to make it easier, simpler and more affordable for any player to make that first connection with a new world, a new story, or a new friend. With a family of next-gen Xbox consoles, even greater variety and value with Xbox Game Pass, and an expansion to Xbox All Access, we invite everyone to join us for this next generation of gaming.   

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Microsoft Showcase Schools announced from 58 countries around the world

Country

City

School

Argentina

Ciudad Autonoma

Instituto Central de Capacitación

Australia

Brisbane

All Hallows’ School

Australia

Carrara

Emmanuel College

Australia

Dallas

Dallas Brooks Community Primary School

Australia

Novar Gardens

Immanuel College

Australia

The Ponds

John Palmer PS

Austria

Klagenfurt

HAK1 International Klagenfurt

Austria

Stockerau

Informatik-Mittelschule Stockerau

Austria

Wien

BAfEP De La Salle

Austria

Zwettl

Private NMS Zwettl

Belgium

Gent

Sint-Lievenscollege

Belgium

Halle

GO! technisch atheneum Halle

Belgium

Waregem

VTI-Waregem

Brazil

Belo Horizonte

Sic – Colégios Santo Agostinh

Brazil

Criciúma

Colégio Marista Criciúma

Brazil

Curitiba, Parana, Brasil

Colégio Sesi Internacional

Brazil

Juazeiro Do Norte

Colégio Paraíso

Brazil

Londrina

Colégio SESI Internacional de Londrina

Brazil

Ribeirão Preto

Colégio Marista Champagnat

Brazil

São José Dos Campos

Colégio Poliedro São José dos Campos

Brazil

São Paulo

Colégio Bandeirantes

Brazil

São Paulo

Escola Bosque

Brazil

São Paulo

Escola Lourenço Castanho

Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan

Chung Hwa Middle School

Canada

Oakville

Gaetan Gervais

Canada

Perth

St. John Catholic High School

Canada

Waterdown

St. Thomas the Apostle CES

Canada

Winnipeg

École Henri-Bergeron

China

Beijing

Beijing Huijia Private School

China

Shanghai

Shanghai Fu Shang Zheng Da Foreign Language Primary School

Colombia

Cali

Colegio Aleman Cali

Costa Rica

Cartago

Anglo American School

Croatia

Popovača

Primary school Popovaca

Cyprus

Nicosia

The Grammar School Nicosia

Cyprus

Nicosia

The Junior and Senior School

Czechia

České Budějovice

Gymnázium, České Budějovice, Česká 64

Czechia

Kladno

Základní škola a Mateřská škola Chýně, Praha – západ

Czechia

Klatovy

Střední škola zemědělská a potravinářská Klatovy

Czechia

Olomouc

Základní škola a Mateřská škola Olomouc, Nedvědova 17, příspěvková organizace

Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo

Notre Dame School

Ecuador

Guayaquil

Academia Naval Almirante Illingworth

Ecuador

Pichincha

Unidad Educativa Tomas Moro

Ecuador

Quito

T.W. Anderson

Egypt

Alexandria

Alexandria International School

El Salvador

San Salvador

Colegio Highlands San Salvador

Finland

Espoo

Viherlaakso

Finland

Kokkola

Torkinmäki School

Finland

Yli-Ii

Yli-Ii Comprehensive School

France

Cesson Sevigne

Lycee Ozanam

France

Dijon

DIIAGE

France

Les Herbiers

Jean XXIII

France

Paris

Lycée Maurice Ravel

France

Strasbourg

Collège épiscopal Saint Etienne

Germany

55435 Gau-Algesheim

Christian Erbach Realschule plus Gau-Algesheim

Germany

Berlin

Berlin Cosmopolitan School

Germany

Berlin

Martin-Buber-Oberschule

Germany

Brakel

Berufskolleg Kreis Höxter

Germany

Bremen

Europaschule Schulzentrum SII Utbremen

Germany

Cologne

Erich-Gutenberg-Berufskolleg

Germany

Erlangen

Staatliche Berufsschule Erlangen

Germany

Hamburg

Berufliche Schule ITECH Elbinsel Wilhelmsburg

Germany

Minden

Freiherr-vom-Stein Berufskolleg

Germany

Neubeuern

Schloss Neubeuern – Internatsschule für Mädchen und Jungen

Greece

Athens

Avgoulea- Linardatou Private School

Greece

Maroussi

Doukas School

Greece

Thessaloniki

Mandoulides Schools

Guatemala

Guatemala

Academia y Centro de Aprendizaje de Tecnología Juan Aparicio

Guatemala

Guatemala

Colegio Católico San Pablo

Guatemala

Retalhuleu

Colegio Centroamericano

Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong

HKSKH Bishop Hall Secondary School

Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong

Pak Kau College

Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong

The Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School

Hong Kong SAR

Tko

HKCCCU Logos Academy

Hungary

Miskolc

Lévay József Református Gimnázium és Diákotthon

India

Ahmedabad

Udgam School For Children

India

Aligarh

The Blossoms School

India

Bhopal

The Sanskaar Valley School

India

Bhubaneswar

SAI International School

India

Chengalpet

Mahindra World School

India

Dehradun

Welham Boys School

India

Delhi

ASN Senior Secondary School, Mayur Vihar

India

Delhi

Mount Abu Public School

India

Delhi

Venkateshwar Global School

India

Delhi

Vikas Bharati Public School

India

Ferozepur City

Dass And Brown World School

India

Ghaziabad

Delhi Public School Ghaziabad

India

Ghaziabad

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School

India

Ghaziabad

Uttam School For Girls

India

Gurgaon

Ajanta Public School

India

Gurgaon

DPS International

India

Gurgaon

Pathways World School

India

Gurgaon

Ridge Valley School

India

Gurgaon

Suncity School

India

Haryana

Scholars Global School

India

Hosur

Litera Valley Zee School, Hosur

India

Hosur

The Ashok Leyland School

India

Hosur

The Titan School

India

Kolkata

Indus Valley World School

India

Kolkata

The Heritage School

India

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow

India

Ludhiana

DCM Presidency School, Ludhiana

India

Ludhiana

Sat Paul Mittal School

India

Mayur Vihar, Phase-1

Ahlcon International School

India

NCR Delhi

Pathways School Gurgaon

India

New Delhi

Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram

India

New Delhi

Bluebells School International

India

New Delhi

Gyan Mandir Public School

India

New Delhi

Indraprastha International School, Sec-10

India

New Delhi

M L Khanna Dav Public School

India

New Delhi

Ramjas School

India

New Delhi

St. Mary’s School

India

New Delhi

Venkateshwar International School

India

Noida

Genesis global school

India

Noida

Pathways School Noida

India

North West 09-Delhi

Bal Bharati Public School

India

Panipat

Delhi Public School Panipat City

India

Parwanoo

Eicher School Parwanoo

India

Phagwara

Kamla Nehru Public School

India

Pune

Anisha Global School, Undri Pune

India

Pune

Anisha Global School,Marunji,Pune

India

SBS Nagar

Rayat International School

India

Varanasi

Sunbeam School lahartara Varanasi Uttar pradesh

India

Varanasi

Sunbeam School,Varuna

Indonesia

Kota Tangerang Selatan

SMP-SMA Insan Cendekia Madani

Ireland

Bandon

St. Brogan’s College

Ireland

Claregalway

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir (Claregalway College)

Ireland

County Galway

St. Augustine’s National School Clontuskert

Ireland

Derry

St Mary’s College

Ireland

Kinsale

Kinsale Community School

Ireland

Omagh

Christian Brothers Grammar School Omagh

Ireland

Saintfield

Millennium Integrated Primary School

Italy

Brescia

I.I.S. Benedetto Castelli

Japan

Kyoto

Ritsumeikan Primary School

Kazakhstan

Astana

Miras International School, Astana

Kenya

Mombasa

Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa

Kenya

Nairobi

Crawford International School-Nairobi

Kuwait

Hawalli

American Creativity Academy

Lebanon

Beirut

Makassed Ali Bin Abi Taleb College

Lebanon

Beirut

Omar Bin Khattab

Lebanon

Dhour Shweir

Dhour Shweir Public Secondary School

Lithuania

Kaunas

Kaunas Jonas and Petras Vileisiai school

Lithuania

Kursenai

Kuršėnai L. Ivinskis Gymnasium

Malaysia

Butterworth, Pulau Pinang

SK Taman Senangan

Malaysia

Iskandar Puteri

Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Bukit Indah

Malaysia

Kelantan

SMK Kubang Kerian

Malaysia

Kuala Perlis

SMK Kuala Perlis

Malaysia

Melaka

SK Bandar Hilir

Netherlands

Breda

De Nassau

Netherlands

Deventer

Kindcentrum Rivierenwijk

Netherlands

Etten-Leur

Katholieke Scholengemeenschap Etten-Leur

Netherlands

Putten

OBS De Korenbloem

Netherlands

Wezep

ODS De Wereldweide

Netherlands

Zwijndrecht

OBS De Dolfijn

New Zealand

Auckland

Baradene College

New Zealand

Auckland

Botany Downs Secondary College

New Zealand

Auckland

Freemans Bay School

New Zealand

Auckland

Opaheke School

New Zealand

Masterton

Rathkeale College

New Zealand

Methven

Methven Primary School

New Zealand

Napier

Napier Boys’ High School

New Zealand

Nelson

Nayland College

New Zealand

Nelson

Nelson College

New Zealand

Nelson

Richmond Primary School

Nigeria

Lagos

Corona School Lekki

Norway

Stavanger

Godalen videregående skole

Pakistan

Isalamabad

The Millennium Education

Pakistan

Islamabad

Roots International Schools

Peru

Arequipa

Institución Educativa Privada San José de Arequipa

Philippines

Batangas City

Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas

Philippines

Cagayan De Oro

Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan

Philippines

General Trias City, Cavite

De La Salle University – Dasmarinas

Philippines

Makati

Asia Pacific College

Philippines

Manila

Lyceum of the Philippines University- Manila

Philippines

Manila

National University

Philippines

Muntinlupa City

De La Salle Santiago Zobel School

Poland

Gdynia

ZSO 8 Gdynia

Poland

Gniezno

Szkoła Podstawowa nr 12 im. prof. Adama Wodziczki w Gnieźnie

Poland

Józefów

Strumienie Szkoła Podstawowa Stowarzyszenia Sternik

Poland

Nowy Tomyśl

Szkoła Podstawowa nr 3 im. Feliksa Szołdrskiego w Nowym Tomyślu

Poland

Olsztyn

Stowarzyszenie Edukacyjne “Młodzież Przyszłością Regionu” Olsztyn, Poland

Poland

Radom

Zespół Szkół Technicznych im. Tadeusza Kościuszki w Radomiu

Poland

Słupsk

II Liceum Ogólnokształcące z Oddziałami Dwujęzycznymi im. Adama Mickiewicza w Słupsku

Poland

Ząbki

Szkoła Podstawowa Nr 3 im. Małego Powstańca w Ząbkach

Portugal

Argoncilhe, Santa Maria Da Feira

escolaglobal

Portugal

Freixo

Agrupamento de Escolas de Freixo

Portugal

Paredes De Coura

EPRAMI

Puerto Rico

Arroyo

Escuela José Horacio Cora

Puerto Rico

San Juan

Escuela Del Deporte De San Juan

Puerto Rico

San Juan

Escuela Especializada en Matemáticas, Ciencias y Tecnología de San Juan

Qatar

Ain Khaled

Al Maha Academy for Boys

Qatar

Al Doha

Maymouna primary school for girls

Qatar

Doha

Al Maha Academy for girls

Qatar

Doha

Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions

Qatar

Doha

SEK International School Qatar

Russia

Chelyabinsk

School 116 of Chelyabinsk

Russia

Ekaterinburg

School 184 “New School”

Russia

Kazan

IT-Lyceum of Kazan Federal University

Russia

Kirov

MAOU “Licey #28”

Russia

Moscow

High School 1517

Russia

Moscow

High School Tsaritsyno 548

Russia

Moscow

School 1552

Russia

Moscow

School Ped-Ps, Moscow

Russia

Pervouralsk

MAOU “Licey #21”

Slovakia

Bratislava

Hotelova akademia/Hotel Academy

Slovakia

Kechnec

Súkromná základná škola, Kechnec 13

Slovakia

Malacky

Gymnazium Malacky

South Africa

Cape Town

Christel House South Africa

South Africa

Johannesburg

Brescia House School

South Africa

Johannesburg

Steyn City School

South Africa

Pretoria

Jacaranda College & Pre-Primary

Spain

Aguilar De Campoo, Palencia

Colegio San Gregorio Ntra Sra de la Compasión

Spain

Barcelona

Monlau Centre d’Estudis

Spain

Madrid

Colegio El Valle

Spain

Madrid

Colegio Internacional SEK Santa Isabel

Spain

Málaga

Colegio Marista de Málaga

Spain

Poio

SEK International School Atlántico

Spain

Tomelloso

FEC Santo Tomás de Aquino La Milagrosa

Spain

Urb. Almerimar, El Ejido

SEK International School Alboran

Spain

Valencia

Grupo Sorolla Educación

Spain

Valladolid

Colegio Sagrada Familia

Spain

Valladolid

Colegio San Agustin

Sri Lanka

Colombo

Gateway College

Switzerland

Hünenberg

Schulen Hünenberg

Thailand

Pattani

Ban Tanyongdalor School

Turkey

Istanbul

Başakşehir Vizyon Koleji

Turkey

İzmir

Izmir Istek Okulları

Turkey

İzmir

Özel Çakabey Okulları

Ukraine

Kherson

Kherson Gymnasium # 1

Ukraine

Zalishchyky

Zalishchyky State Gimnasia

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

Diyafah International School LLC

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Cambridge International School

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Dubai International Academy

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Raffles International School

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

The Kindergarten Starters

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

The Westminster School

United Arab Emirates

Sharjah

Al Shefaa Bint Abdullah Secondary School

United Arab Emirates

Sharjah

Emirates National Schools-Sharjah Campus

United Kingdom

Berkeley

SGS Berkeley Green UTC

United Kingdom

Berkshire

Wellington College

United Kingdom

Bootle

Hugh Baird College

United Kingdom

Bridgwater

Chilton Trinity School

United Kingdom

Brynnau Rhondda Cynon Taff

Brynnau Primary

United Kingdom

Cardiff

Cardiff and Vale College

United Kingdom

Chippenham

Hardenhuish School

United Kingdom

Clitheroe

Ribblesdale High School

United Kingdom

Cold Ash

Downe House School

United Kingdom

Denbigh

Myddelton College

United Kingdom

Derby

Derby College

United Kingdom

Derby

Repton School

United Kingdom

Exeter

Cornerstone Academy Trust

United Kingdom

Exeter

Exeter College

United Kingdom

Falkirk

St Mungo’s RC High School

United Kingdom

Ferndale

Darran Park Primary School

United Kingdom

Fife

Queen Anne High School,

United Kingdom

Filton

SGS College

United Kingdom

Glasgow

Glasgow Kelvin College

United Kingdom

Grimsby

The Grimsby Institute

United Kingdom

Huddersfield

Kirklees College

United Kingdom

Lincolnshire

Skegness Infant Academy

United Kingdom

London

City of Westminster College

United Kingdom

London

Dulwich College

United Kingdom

London

Eltham College

United Kingdom

London

La Sainte Union Catholic School

United Kingdom

London

Wimbledon High School

United Kingdom

Manchester

Trafford College Group

United Kingdom

Marlow

Danesfield School

United Kingdom

Milton Keynes

Denbigh School

United Kingdom

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes College

United Kingdom

Northampton

Simon de Senlis Primary School

United Kingdom

Paisley

West College Scotland

United Kingdom

Peterborough

Bishop Creighton Academy

United Kingdom

Peterborough

Newark Hill Academy

United Kingdom

Port Tablot

Ysgol Bae Baglan

United Kingdom

Reading

Queen Anne’s School

United Kingdom

Reading

UTC Reading

United Kingdom

Redditch

Heart of Worcestershire College

United Kingdom

Risca

Risca Community Comprehensive School

United Kingdom

Settle

Giggleswick School

United Kingdom

Skegness

Skegness Junior Academy

United Kingdom

Smethwick

Shireland Collegiate Academy

United Kingdom

Treorchy

Treorchy Comprehensive School

United Kingdom

Twickenham

Richmond Upon Thames College

United Kingdom

Upper Largo

Kirkton of Largo Primary School

United Kingdom

Weston-Super-Mare

Weston College

United Kingdom

Woodbridge

Framlingham College

United States

Abington

Abington Middle School

United States

Bellevue

International School, Bellevue School District

United States

Bellevue

Wilburton Elementary School/Bellevue School District

United States

Brooklyn

Abraham Lincoln High School

United States

Casper

St. Anthony Tri-Parish School

United States

Catonsville

Mount de Sales Academy

United States

Cicero

J. Sterling Morton High School District 201

United States

Dallas

Ursuline Academy of Dallas

United States

Easthampton

Williston Northampton School

United States

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Board of Education

United States

Fairburn

Bear Creek Middle School

United States

Farmington

Canyon Creek Elementary

United States

Fontana

Southridge Tech Middle School

United States

Greeneville

Greeneville Middle School/Greeneville City Schools

United States

Jacksonville

Andrew Jackson High School

United States

Kaysville

Kay’s Creek Elementary

United States

Lake Forest

Lake Forest Country Day School

United States

Medina

St. Thomas School

United States

Miami

Westminster Christian School

United States

Mobile

St. Paul’s Episcopal School

United States

Ontario

Woodcrest Junior High School

United States

Pembroke Pines

Pembroke Lakes Elementary

United States

Phoenix

Ombudsman Charter East

United States

Pontiac

Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy

United States

Pueblo

GOAL Academy

United States

Rancho Santa Margarita

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

United States

Redmond

Nikola Tesla STEM High School

United States

Renton

Renton Prep

United States

Sarasota

Booker Middle School

United States

Seattle

O’Dea High School

United States

Shelbyville

Cornerstone Christian Academy

United States

Springfield

Liberty Elementary School

United States

Tacoma

Gray Middle School / Tacoma Public Schools

United States

Tampa

Cannella Elementary

United States

Tampa

Turner/Bartels K-8

United States

Titusville

Park Avenue Christian Academy

United States

Wheaton

St. Francis High School

United States

Woodbridge

Kyle R. Wilson Elementary

United States

Woodland Hills

El Camino Real Charter High School

Posted on by — Leave a comment

New discounts on meeting and calling experiences in Microsoft Teams

Over the past 6 months, organizations around the world have adjusted to remote and hybrid work, pioneering new methods of collaboration, and transforming communication systems to stay connected and productive. By working closely with our customers, we’ve identified key requirements that define how you are using meeting and calling solutions and rethinking your costs to achieve long-term resiliency.

As we’ve shared, your organization’s communication needs likely span a spectrum—from the most basic 1:1 meetings and calls to group meetings to large virtual events and conferences. During the pandemic, organizations transformed rapidly moving meetings online and created hybrid workplaces. This environment confirmed the need for multiple ways to join online meetings. For example, participants who do not have reliable internet access to join Microsoft Teams meetings can use Audio Conferencing to join via a dial-in number. Our customers increasingly need to host large scale virtual events ranging from internal town halls to customer events, and Teams can help with these, too. The new Advanced Communications add-on enables large scale events, but also provides structure and admin control to achieve more professional, seamless, and compliant meeting experiences.

To help our customers enable these scenarios and experience the best of what Microsoft Teams can offer in meetings and voice, we’re announcing new promotional offers that deliver these experiences with significant cost savings.

New Microsoft Teams promotional offers:

  • Get Audio Conferencing for free, available now for Enterprise Agreement customers1 and starting October 1st, 2020 available for customers purchasing via partners and web2.
  • Get 35% off Advanced Communications3, available now for Enterprise Agreement customers, and will be available before the end of the calendar year for customers purchasing via partners and web. 
  • For Skype for Business customers, we offer FastTrack support along with great pricing offers to help you move to Teams in a cost-effective manner.  Contact your account representative for more details. 

We are committed to helping organizations everywhere stay connected and productive as you navigate new ways of work. By sharing these promotional offers, we aim to support even more of your meeting needs in a cost-efficient manner.

FAQ:

Q: Can an eligible customer use all three offers at once?
A: Yes, if the customer is eligible to all three offers, they can sign up for all three.

Q. Is there a user limit?
A: The offers described above do not have a max number of users. 

Q: Are the offers available for education (EDU), GCC, DoD, or GCC High customers?
A: Audio Conferencing Offer1,2: available for GCC and EDU (A3 only) but is not available for DoD and GCC High customers.
Advanced Communication offer3: The offer is not available for EDU customers. Advanced Communications add-on is not yet available to US GOV clouds (DoD, GCC, GCC High).

Q: If I purchase Audio Conferencing via partners or web, how do I enable the offer2?
A: IT Admins can enable it for their organization via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. First, activate the free Audio Conferencing offer2 to acquire a license and then assign it to a specific user in your tenant.

1 Get Audio Conferencing for free until the end of your enrollment. Eligible for Microsoft Enterprise Agreements customers with paid Microsoft 365 or Office 365 licenses with Microsoft Teams without Audio Conferencing add-on or Microsoft 365 E5. Available now through January 31st, 2021. Available worldwide with the exception in China and India. Talk to your Microsoft sales representative to learn more. The offer is subject to additional terms and conditions.
2 Get Audio Conferencing for free for 12 months. Eligible for CSP and Web Direct customers with paid Microsoft 365 or Office 365 licenses with Microsoft Teams without Audio Conferencing add-on or Microsoft 365 E5. Available Starting October 1st, 2020 through March 31st, 2021. Available worldwide with the exception in China and India. The offer is subject to additional terms and conditions.
3 Get 35% off Advanced Communications until the end of your current subscription terms. Eligible for customers with Microsoft Enterprise Agreements, and paid Microsoft 365 or Office 365 license with Microsoft Teams. Available now through January 31st, 2021. Available worldwide. Broader availability for customers working with our Microsoft partners and transacting on the web is coming soon. The offer is subject to additional terms and conditions.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Rare releases Directors’ Commentary version of trailer for upcoming Everwild

To provide additional insight into the world of Everwild, its characters and its inspirations, Rare has today released a special Directors’ Commentary version of the most recent trailer for its next big project, Everwild. The ‘Eternals’ trailer, first shown at the Xbox Games Showcase in July, showcased some of the fantastical scenes that players can expect to find in Everwild – and at the time fans everywhere couldn’t help but speculate on what they saw. 

In this Directors’ Commentary video, Everwild Executive Producer Louise O’Connor and Art Director Ryan Stevenson confirm some of the theories spun up by eagle-eyed viewers in reaction to the original trailer, talking through each scene in detail and shining a light on some of the characters, creatures and how they’re connected. For the scoop on what awaits players in this natural and magical world, check out the full Directors’ Commentary video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oymUCDoTVJs?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

As you’ll discover, the video also makes an early reference to the various biomes of Everwild, with Art Director Ryan Stevenson confirming that there will be a number of different environments to experience and explore throughout a player’s Everwild journey.

The team go on to discuss some of the more supernatural aspects to the trailer, uncovering meaning behind the Eternals’ rituals and alluding to some of the power held by the mysterious spirits of the world over its inhabitants.

To explore the Everwild community for yourself and be a part of the speculation and buzz, join the Verified Discord server for all your theorising and animal-naming needs!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

New life for old computers helps students in need learn from home

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many school students around the world to embrace remote learning. But not all have computers at home.

Now a group of companies and non-profits in Hong Kong are taking part in a global program by Microsoft that breathes new life into old office PCs and distributes them to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I live in a village in Sha Tin, and my family’s income is limited,” says Wu Jiahui, a Secondary 5 (Year 11) student at Toi Shan Association College. “We don’t have the ability to purchase computers.”

Instead, Jiahui has had to rely on her smartphone to study. “But the speed is slower, and the software is not sufficient,” she says. “Because of the small screen, it’s hard to read, and the long-term use of my mobile phone caused shoulder pain and dry eye syndrome.”

Without a proper device, students can’t learn efficiently. The quality of their work and their health can be seriously affected. 

– Albert Wong, Association of IT Leaders in Education

Before the COVID-19 lockdowns, Jiahui would finish her homework in her school’s computer room at the end of each day’s lessons. “But I couldn’t make any revisions to my homework at home.”

Barriers to learning

Albert Wong, chairman of the Association of IT Leaders in Education (AiTLE), says students without a computer at home usually end up using their smartphones. “But mobile devices are made for communication, not for learning,” he says.

“Some learning websites have layouts that are not optimal for mobile devices, making it difficult for students to watch video lessons or view slides. Formatting text and visuals for school projects on a smartphone can also be arduous. Not having their own computers hinders students’ creativity and makes learning time-consuming.”

A woman wearing a face mask moves a box from the back of a van.
Crossroads Foundation volunteer Joanne de la Zilwa helps unload donated devices.

Wong says computers have become essential for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. “With school suspensions lasting for months due to the pandemic, online learning activities, such as webinars and virtual projects, are necessary,” he says. “Without proper devices, students can’t learn efficiently. The quality of their work and their health can be seriously affected.”

A recent survey of almost 600 students in the territory found that over 70% either don’t have computers or have outdated machines, while 51% don’t have a desk for studying. Moreover, 83% of students said these hurdles made them worry about falling behind their peers.

Empowering students in need

Recognizing this challenge, Microsoft has partnered with corporate groups, computer refurbishers, and education associations to provide computers – once used in offices – to students in need.

“Not every family is in a financial position to provide their children with a computer. Remote learning makes this situation especially hard,” says Ada Ng, Microsoft Hong Kong’s director of corporate affairs and philanthropies. “Donating refurbished hardware is a great way to make a positive impact on a student’s day-to-day life.”

Volunteers at the non-profit Crossroads Foundation overhaul donated PCs under Microsoft’s Refurbisher Program — through which authorized refurbishers across the globe collect secondhand devices, fix them up, and preinstall genuine Microsoft software.

In one recent two-month effort, more than 1,000 used desktops and laptops machines were serviced and refitted, and then sent out to needy students.